(Portions of this prayer contain excerpts from the Moravian Book of Worship Liturgy for Christmas, pages 59-63)
The Watchword for the Week:
The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Luke 1:49
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world,
but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17
Luke 1:46-55
46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
Invitation to Confession
God has done marvelous things for us, but often the conduct of our lives does not reflect the acceptance of those gifts. Let us acknowledge our sin and our need for a Savior.
Confession of Sin:
Saving God, we confess to you our sinfulness. We are consumed with greed and with self, instead of loving you as we ought. Too often we are indifferent to those for whom this season is not a time of joy. You call us to a simple life, but we engage in extravagance, which directs our hearts away from you and from those in need. Forgive us and renew us, gracious Savior.
God has reached into the darkness of our lives to give us hope for living a new life. Accept the gift of God’s grace today and be transformed.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, AMEN.
Reading of the Daily Texts
Prayers of the Community of Faith (spoken and silent)
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Holy Child of Mary, Savior of the World,
reveal yourself to us.
Help us and save us through the totality of your life:
By your holy incarnation,
By your human birth,
By your pure and blameless childhood,
By your obedience and diligence,
By your humility, meekness, and patience,
By your extreme poverty,
By your grief and sorrows,
By your prayers and tears,
By your having been despised and rejected,
By your cross and suffering,
By your death and burial,
By your triumphant resurrection and ascension.
We marvel, Gracious God, at the mystery of your incarnation.
Why would you choose to be born into poverty, with a family far from home, and seemingly ill prepared for your arrival?
Why would you choose a forgotten village in a forgotten corner of the world?
Why would you choose to be born in a cave full of cattle, and take a manger for your crib?
Could it be that through this unlikely birth you would reach out and choose even us to be your children?
Could it be that you would reach out and choose even me?
The Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Prayers for the 3rd Week of Advent
The Watchword for the week:
May the God of peace sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Stir up our hearts, O Lord,to prepare the paths for your only-begotten Son:
that we may worthily serve you with hearts purified by His coming.
Psalm 126
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."
3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
Invitation to Confession
Preparing for the coming Savior means that we need to acknowledge our need for one. Let us prepare the way for the arrival of Jesus Christ by confessing our sins:
Forgive us loving God for the winding path upon which you have to travel to find us. As we bend to the selfish influences of our culture we lose sight of your intended will for us. Too often we live by fear rather than by faith because we underestimate your power to heal the parts of us that are broken, and to correct the parts of us that have drifted from your influence. We confess that we have separated ourselves from you and our spirit, soul, and body have been used to meet our own needs rather than seeking the purity of your will. Bring us back to you so that we might respond to your grace by sharing it with others. Give us the courage to give you unhindered access to all of who we are and in so doing find ourselves blameless at your coming.
Comfort, comfort my people says your God. Speak tenderly to them and proclaim that they have suffered long enough, that their penalty is paid, and their sins are forgiven.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
Take time now to read the Daily Texts appointed for the day. Pray the words as you read them, let them sink in below the surface of your being. After you have prayed the prayer for the day, take time to pray for the joys and concerns on your heart this day. Pray especially for those who need the true meaning of this season of the Church year, that a Savior was born to reach into the pain of our lives and provide new life. When you have come to the end of that prayer time, continue as follows:
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Master of all the universe, we praise your name because you have lovingly made each one of us. As we orient our lives to you may your intended purpose be made real here on earth, even as it is already done in heaven. Feed us today with those things that we truly need, and may we share our abundance with others. Forgive us when we get distracted, and may we forgive those who have done wrong to us just as you have pardoned us. In times of temptation may we keep our eyes on you, and keep us from all evil. Gracious God, this is your kingdom and we surrender ourselves to your glory, both now and forever more. AMEN.
ISAIAH 40:30-31
Even those who are young grow weak;
the young can fall exhausted.
But those who wait on the Lord for help
will find their strength renewed.
They will rise on wings like eagles;
they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.
Christ, the Light of the world, empower us to shine as lights in this dark world of sin.
Christ, lead us into good stewardship of creation that we and our children may preserve and enjoy the world entrusted to us.
Come Lord Jesus, come,
come and dwell within our hearts and lives.
We praise you, for you are good,
And your mercy endures forever. Amen.
May the God of peace sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Stir up our hearts, O Lord,to prepare the paths for your only-begotten Son:
that we may worthily serve you with hearts purified by His coming.
Psalm 126
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."
3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
Invitation to Confession
Preparing for the coming Savior means that we need to acknowledge our need for one. Let us prepare the way for the arrival of Jesus Christ by confessing our sins:
Forgive us loving God for the winding path upon which you have to travel to find us. As we bend to the selfish influences of our culture we lose sight of your intended will for us. Too often we live by fear rather than by faith because we underestimate your power to heal the parts of us that are broken, and to correct the parts of us that have drifted from your influence. We confess that we have separated ourselves from you and our spirit, soul, and body have been used to meet our own needs rather than seeking the purity of your will. Bring us back to you so that we might respond to your grace by sharing it with others. Give us the courage to give you unhindered access to all of who we are and in so doing find ourselves blameless at your coming.
Comfort, comfort my people says your God. Speak tenderly to them and proclaim that they have suffered long enough, that their penalty is paid, and their sins are forgiven.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
Take time now to read the Daily Texts appointed for the day. Pray the words as you read them, let them sink in below the surface of your being. After you have prayed the prayer for the day, take time to pray for the joys and concerns on your heart this day. Pray especially for those who need the true meaning of this season of the Church year, that a Savior was born to reach into the pain of our lives and provide new life. When you have come to the end of that prayer time, continue as follows:
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Master of all the universe, we praise your name because you have lovingly made each one of us. As we orient our lives to you may your intended purpose be made real here on earth, even as it is already done in heaven. Feed us today with those things that we truly need, and may we share our abundance with others. Forgive us when we get distracted, and may we forgive those who have done wrong to us just as you have pardoned us. In times of temptation may we keep our eyes on you, and keep us from all evil. Gracious God, this is your kingdom and we surrender ourselves to your glory, both now and forever more. AMEN.
ISAIAH 40:30-31
Even those who are young grow weak;
the young can fall exhausted.
But those who wait on the Lord for help
will find their strength renewed.
They will rise on wings like eagles;
they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.
Christ, the Light of the world, empower us to shine as lights in this dark world of sin.
Christ, lead us into good stewardship of creation that we and our children may preserve and enjoy the world entrusted to us.
Come Lord Jesus, come,
come and dwell within our hearts and lives.
We praise you, for you are good,
And your mercy endures forever. Amen.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Prayers for the 2nd Week of Advent
The Watchword for the Week:
He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom. Isaiah 40:11
Come, all who labor and are heavy laden.
Come, all who are lost and in need of a home.
Come, all who have faced their weakness and sins.
Rejoice greatly, shout for joy! See, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and brings salvation.
1 Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin.
3 You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.
He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom. Isaiah 40:11
Come, all who labor and are heavy laden.
Come, all who are lost and in need of a home.
Come, all who have faced their weakness and sins.
Rejoice greatly, shout for joy! See, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and brings salvation.
1 Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin.
3 You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us.
5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.
8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
9 Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.
12 The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.
Prayer for the Confession of Sin:
Hear the voice of John the Baptist calling to us from the wilderness, challenging us to prepare the way for the coming Messiah, to repent and to make the pathway to our heart a straight one.
Holy God, we know that you want to come and walk with us through the journey of our lives. You send to us a Savior who seeks to offer us an eternal home in the life to come as well the pattern for the living of our daily lives. Forgive us for the times when we have turned our back on your invitation and have chosen to walk our own way. Forgive us for the times when we make the path into our hearts a steep one, making it hard for you to enter. Forgive us when treat even our loved ones with an unforgiving spirit. Forgive us when we busy our lives with diversions that deflect our attention from you. We invite your Holy Spirit to dwell within us and to bring us close to you this day.
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to them and proclaim that they have suffered long enough, that their penalty is paid, and their sins are forgiven.
We give thanks to the one who creates us, we give thanks to the one who redeems us, we give thanks to the one who brings the spirit of holiness to us today. Amen.
Today's Daily Texts may be read at this point. But don't just read the texts, pray them. Examine them with an expectant heart. After you have finished with the prayer take more time to simply be silent and meditate on words and phrases that happen catch your spirit today. Ponder them in your heart. Then as you are led, pray for the joys and concerns that fill your life today. Pray especially that your words and actions might show someone the presence of Christ. When you are done with your prayer you may proceed as follows:
O Lord, Hear our Prayer:
Giver of life and grace who dwells in heavens, we lift our praise to you. We pray that the ways of heaven might be made real in our earthly lives as we, your children, seek to do your will. Give us today the food that we need. Forgive us as we seek to forgive those around us, and as we fix our eyes on you, keep us from temptation, and deliver us from evil influences. For this is your world, and to you is due all honor, and glory, and praise forever and ever. Amen.
O Emmanuel, God with Us, Jesus Christ, desire of every nation,
come to earth we pray.
Shepherd of all humanity, and Savior of our souls
give us rest in your arms today.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.
You alone are the most high, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.
Come Lord Jesus,
Open our hearts to welcome you, let the Word become flesh in our hearts and in our lives. Amen.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Prayers for the 1st Week of Advent
The watchword for the week:
Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory. Mark 13:26
Gracious Savior, this week we begin the journey of Advent.
This is a season of expectation and anticipation; a time of preparation and confession.
And so it is that we bring to the Lord a broken and contrite spirit which we know our God will honor.
We take this time to truly prepare for the coming savior.
Rejoice greatly, shout for joy! See, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and brings salvation.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 80:1-7,17-19
1 Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
2 Awaken your might; come and save us.
3 Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
4 O Lord God Almighty, how long will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
6 You have made us a source of contention to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us.
7 Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
17 Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself.
18 Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.
19 Restore us, O Lord God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
Unto you, O God, in whom all things are known, and from whom nothing is hidden, we draw close by lifting up our prayer of confession.
Gracious Lord Jesus, you come to us with the good news of salvation, but we often fail to notice. You come to us day by day, yet we close the doors of our hearts when it seems convenient to do things our own way. We ignore your presence and your leadership, and have lived as if we have no relationship with you. We have failed to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. Forgive us, merciful Lord. May we now live so that the world will know that you have come. Amen. (Adapted from the Moravian Book of Worship, page 50)
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to them and proclaim that they have suffered long enough, that their penalty is paid, and their sins are forgiven.
We are forgiven, and we praise you Lord. May you lead us to live a new and nobler life today. Thanks be to God.
Take time now to read the Daily Text for today. Don't rush over the reading to "get it done", but ponder the meaning of each word for your life today.
After you have completed the prayer for the day, take more time to consider the needs of those around you. Pray especially that this season of Advent might be one that calls many out of the nostalgic celebration of Christmas to a true encounter with God's gift to the world. When you are finished with your prayer continue as follows:
O Lord, Hear our Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Christ, the Light of the world, empower us to shine as lights in this dark world of sin.
Christ, give to our congregations and their members a desire to serve you by seeking out those who need a relationship with you.
O Emmanuel, God with us, Jesus Christ, desire of every nation, Savior of all peoples,
come and dwell within our hearts and lives.
We praise you, for you are good,
And your mercy endures forever. Amen.
Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory. Mark 13:26
Gracious Savior, this week we begin the journey of Advent.
This is a season of expectation and anticipation; a time of preparation and confession.
And so it is that we bring to the Lord a broken and contrite spirit which we know our God will honor.
We take this time to truly prepare for the coming savior.
Rejoice greatly, shout for joy! See, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and brings salvation.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 80:1-7,17-19
1 Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
2 Awaken your might; come and save us.
3 Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
4 O Lord God Almighty, how long will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
6 You have made us a source of contention to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us.
7 Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
17 Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself.
18 Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.
19 Restore us, O Lord God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
Unto you, O God, in whom all things are known, and from whom nothing is hidden, we draw close by lifting up our prayer of confession.
Gracious Lord Jesus, you come to us with the good news of salvation, but we often fail to notice. You come to us day by day, yet we close the doors of our hearts when it seems convenient to do things our own way. We ignore your presence and your leadership, and have lived as if we have no relationship with you. We have failed to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. Forgive us, merciful Lord. May we now live so that the world will know that you have come. Amen. (Adapted from the Moravian Book of Worship, page 50)
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to them and proclaim that they have suffered long enough, that their penalty is paid, and their sins are forgiven.
We are forgiven, and we praise you Lord. May you lead us to live a new and nobler life today. Thanks be to God.
Take time now to read the Daily Text for today. Don't rush over the reading to "get it done", but ponder the meaning of each word for your life today.
After you have completed the prayer for the day, take more time to consider the needs of those around you. Pray especially that this season of Advent might be one that calls many out of the nostalgic celebration of Christmas to a true encounter with God's gift to the world. When you are finished with your prayer continue as follows:
O Lord, Hear our Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Christ, the Light of the world, empower us to shine as lights in this dark world of sin.
Christ, give to our congregations and their members a desire to serve you by seeking out those who need a relationship with you.
O Emmanuel, God with us, Jesus Christ, desire of every nation, Savior of all peoples,
come and dwell within our hearts and lives.
We praise you, for you are good,
And your mercy endures forever. Amen.
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