Life around the World

4th Sunday of Advent, 18 Dec: Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24 ~ loved and called to holiness

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Eternal God, in the psalms of David, in the words of the prophets, in the dream of Joseph your promise is spoken. At last, in the womb of the Virgin Mary your Word takes flesh.

Teach us to welcome Jesus, the promised Emmanuel, and to preach the good news of his coming, that every age may know him as the source of redemption and grace.

Grant this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer: Sat, 17 Dec – Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8, 17; Genesis 49:2, 8-10; Matthew 1:1-17 ~ from Abraham through David to Jesus

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Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. Help him judge your people in the right way; let the poor always be treated fairly. May the mountains yield prosperity for all, and may the hills be fruitful. Help him to defend the poor, to rescue the children of the needy, and to crush their oppressors.

Morning Prayer: Fri, 16 Dec – Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 7; Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8; John 5:33-36 ~ saving power for all

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Lord Jesus Christ: May your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

+ You are the Sun of Righteousness who comes to heal and rescue us.
+ You are the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises to all who love and serve you.
+ May your presence among us, during this Advent and Christmas season, fill your people with joy and may your church become a house of prayer for all nations.

Morning Prayer: Wed, 14 Dec – Psalm 85:9-14; Isaiah 45:6-8, 18, 21-25; Luke 7:18-23 ~ righteous God and Savior

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Lord Jesus Christ, Word of God made flesh: thank you for your presence among us:

+ Bring justice to those bowed down with suffering: defend the poor and the powerless.
+ Prince of Peace, turn our jealousies into love, teach us to forgive rather than give way to anger.
+ When you come to judge the world, may we stand before you without fear.
+ You stand in our midst unknown: help us to find you in the poor and the troubled.

Heavenly Father: give us new eyes to see your presence among us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer: Tue, 13 Dec – Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-19, 23; Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13; Matthew 21:28-32 ~ unashamed and unafraid

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Sovereign God, may your Kingdom come! It is time for us to wake from our sleep: the day of our salvation is near.

+ Help us to show our repentance by a new way of living.
+ Prepare us for the coming of your Word by opening our hearts to receive him.
+ Help us to overcome our pride, and raise us from the depths of our weakness.
+ Throw down the walls of hatred between nations; clear the way for those who work for peace.

Sovereign God, may your kingdom come! On earth as it is in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Mon, 12 Dec – Psalm 24:4-9; Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17; Matthew 21:23-27 ~ open up

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Come, Lord Jesus – as we take up again our daily work, bless us.

+ You are the Daystar, powerfully dispelling our darkness: awaken our faith from sleep.
+ Reveal your presence in the world through our lives.
+ Create a new world, where justice and peace may find a home.
+ End the long night of our pride, and make us humble of heart.

In your love, Father, listen to our prayer: may your Son at his coming dispel by his grace all darkness in our hearts, and may his justice and peace reign forever. Amen.

3rd Sunday of Advent, 11 Dec: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10; Psalm 146:6-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 ~ a day for rejoicing

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God of glory and compassion, at your touch the wilderness blossoms, broken lives are made whole, and fearful hearts grow strong in faith.

Open our eyes to your presence and awaken our hearts to sing your praise. To all who long for your Son’s return grant perseverance and patience, that we may announce in word and deed the good news of the kingdom.

We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.