The season of Advent which looks forward to the coming of Jesus at Christmas (a celebration of history) and on the Day of Judgement (a celebration of hope and confidence) is an ideal time to reflect upon our practice of prayer and the expectation we have of it. As you read this it may still be the Trinity season, but Advent begins at the end of the month so it is as well to be prepared.

From Scripture we find that our prayer during this season is centred around the emphatic declaration Marana Tha which is translated from Aramaic as ‘Come, Lord!’ This great hope is echoed in other passages, not least in the Book of Revelation,

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (22:20)

and the letter of James,

You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. (5:8).

It was a crucial part of the liturgical life of the early church just as it is for us, although Anglicanism tends to be less emphatic except during the season of Advent.

It is the Holy Spirit dwelling in us who makes Jesus present in the Spirit and encourages us to expect and pray for his physical presence when he comes again to judge the world. The indwelling Spirit issues the Advent challenge to the people of God, but this goes far beyond a mere prediction of Jesus’ return. Rather, the Spirit allows us to build our faith around the doctrine of the second coming just as much as it is built around the doctrines of the incarnation, the Cross and the resurrection. If we take the Advent message seriously then renewal is the only option. Jesus told many parables about being prepared for the Day of the Lord and we must know that they apply to us.

To pray for renewal during Advent is to do a number of things.

• First of all it is to open ourselves up to God so that we become like the clay which the potter moulds into the shape he wants. God desires that his people are modelled on Jesus and through the Holy Spirit that is exactly what he does.

• Secondly, it is to accept the changes which opening up to God means: leaving the past behind and looking forward to the things God is going to do today and tomorrow. This is both cleansing and liberating.

• Thirdly, it is to be empowered by the Holy Spirit for the work which God has called us to do. God’s gifts are manifold and generously given so that we can meet the challenges of the day.

The fruit of prayer for renewal is to help the Church to mature in faith and witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, just as much in our day as it did in the days of the Apostles. We proclaim an Apostolic faith which has been handed on from generation to generation. It’s the same faith, passed on in the same way; it’s just that we are younger!

Prayer for renewal in Advent is important because these are difficult times for the Church and not least for the Church of England. Renewal is possible because it is the Spirit himself who manages our reticence and confusion,

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27).

And if you like the idea of being moulded, take great comfort because God did it first! ‘Behold the great Creator makes himself a house of clay’ and everything else that we look forward to at Christmas.

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