Category: Life in America

Advent Daily Prayer: 19 December – Luke 1:32, 69; Revelation 22:16 ~ the bright morning star

The Season of Advent

Advent Daily Readings and Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening sentence

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mark 1:2-3 NLT)
__________

Morning Reading: Luke 1:32, 69 NLT

He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.
_____

He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David….

Jesus star of David

Morning Reading: Revelation 22:16 NLT

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.”
__________

Prayer:

Mighty Savior, Son of the Most High: You are Jesus, the source of all power and authority. You are the beginning and the end, the only begotten eternal One. You are the Everlasting King, the ruler of heaven and earth. You are the Bright Morning Star, the hope of nations. You are the Holy One of Israel, worthy of all praise and Lord of all. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus, in all the splendor of Your majesty. Amen.
__________

“A Million Suns” – Hillsong Live


_________

Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Advent Daily Prayer: 18 December – Zechariah 9:9-11 ~ Rejoice! Our King is coming.

The Season of Advent

Advent Daily Readings and Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening sentence

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mark 1:2-3 NLT)
__________

Morning Reading: Zechariah 9:9-11 NLT

Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey — riding on a donkey’s colt.

Rejoice greatly

I will remove the battle chariots from Israel and the warhorses from Jerusalem. I will destroy all the weapons used in battle, and your king will bring peace to the nations. His realm will stretch from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.

Because of the covenant I made with you, sealed with blood, I will free your prisoners from death in a waterless dungeon.
__________

Prayer:

King Jesus: Come and rescue me.
+ You alone are the righteous One – forgive me for trusting in my own goodness.
+ You alone are victorious – forgive me for trusting in my own abilities.
+ You come with power – forgive me for trusting in my own strength.
+ You come in humility – forgive my brashness.
+ You come in peace – forgive my testiness.

King Jesus: Save me from myself great God and Savior. Show me how to live joyfully, wisely and obediently so that I may honor You in all things. I look forward with hope to that wonderful day when Your glory will be revealed. Even so, come quickly Lord!
__________

“Shouts Of Joy , Sing For Joy , Roni Roni Bat Zion (Rejoice Rejoice Daugther Of Zion) “

_________

Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Advent Daily Prayer: 17 December – Ezekiel 34:20-24 ~ I will rescue my flock

The Season of Advent

Advent Daily Readings and Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening sentence

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mark 1:2-3 NLT)
__________

Morning Reading: Ezekiel 34:20-24 NLT

Lamb newborn

“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will surely judge between the fat sheep and the scrawny sheep. For you fat sheep pushed and butted and crowded my sick and hungry flock until you scattered them to distant lands. So I will rescue my flock, and they will no longer be abused. I will judge between one animal of the flock and another. And I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David will be a prince among my people. I, the Lord, have spoken!
__________

Prayer:

Shepherd King: Rescue Your flock and lead us to safety.

+ Good Shepherd: You provide for all my needs – may I remain healthy and lean that the hungry may be fed.
+ Good Shepherd: You provide me with rest and refreshment – may I remain in Your presence and be strengthened.
+ Good Shepherd: You guide me along paths that honor You – may I be attune to Your voice and follow You.
+ Good Shepherd: You protect and comfort me in dark times – may I fearlessly trust You with my life.
+ Good Shepherd: You honor me and welcome me to Your table – may I receive with joy Your cup of blessing.

Shepherd King: Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in Your house forever. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever.
__________

“The Shepherds’ Farewell” – King”s College Cambridge

Thou must leave Thy lowly dwelling, The humble crib, the stable bare. Babe, all mortal babes excelling, Content our earthly lot to share. Loving father, Loving mother, Shelter Thee with tender care!

Blessed Jesus, we implore Thee With humble love and holy fear. In the land that lies before Thee, Forget not us who linger here! May the shepherd’s lowly calling, Ever to Thy heart be dear!

Blest are ye beyond all measure, Thou happy father, mother mild! Guard ye well your heav’nly treasure, The Prince of Peace, The Holy Child! God go with you, God protect you, Guide you safely through the wild!
_________

Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Advent Daily Prayer: 16 December – Isaiah 9:6-7 ~ a son is given to us

The Season of Advent

Advent Daily Readings and Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening sentence

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mark 1:2-3 NLT)
__________

Morning Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT

A-Child-is-Born

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
__________

Prayer:

Christ Jesus: May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

+ Everlasting Father – work out Your Kingdom plan and purpose for us in Your own way and time; our hope is in You.
+ Wonderful Counselor – rule in us with fairness and justice that righteousness may be vindicated and evil overcome.
+ Prince of Peace – rule in us with never-ending peace that we may experience contentment, completeness, wholeness, well being and harmony.
+ Mighty God – employ all the power of Heaven’s Armies that Your Kingdom may be established among us now in these times of distress and fear.

Christ Jesus, Light of the world – shine in our darkness and may all who love You love Your Light.
__________

“Kerstnacht 2014: For Unto Us A Child Is Born – JV Maranatha”

Distressed and hungry they will look toward the earth and see distress and darkness and a desperate gloom of fear. The land of Zebulun He humbled and the land of Naphtali, though in the future He will honor Galilee. But nevertheless, on those living in the land of darkness a light has dawned. And happiness and joy will fill their hearts.

For unto us a Child is born, For unto us a Son is given And the government shall be upon His shoulder.

Be broken all you enemies! Strap on your armor and be shattered, speak a word but God shall be with us! Take notice oppressed, on those living in the land of darkness a light has dawned. And happiness and joy will fill their hearts.

For unto us a Child is born, For unto us a Son is given And the government shall be upon His shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

For unto us a Child is born, For unto us a Son is given And the government shall be upon His shoulder.
_________

Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Advent Daily Prayer: 15 December – Psalm 89:1-4 ~ kings forever

The Season of Advent

Advent Daily Readings and Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening sentence

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mark 1:2-3 NLT)
__________

Morning Reading: Psalm 89:1-4 NLT

Russian icon of St. David, the Prophet and King, 18th century (iconostasis of Kizhi monastery)
Russian icon of St. David, the Prophet and King, 18th century (iconostasis of Kizhi monastery)

I will sing of the lord’s unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.

The lord said, “I have made a covenant with David, my chosen servant. I have sworn this oath to him: ‘I will establish your descendants as kings forever; they will sit on your throne from now until eternity.’”
__________

Prayer:

Gracious God: Thank You for Your unfailing love and faithfulness revealed to us in Jesus Christ.

+ Make Your home in my heart – that I may be rooted in Your love.
+ Fulfill Your requirements in me – that I may do no wrong to others.
+ Strengthen my faith in Christ – that I may love Your people everywhere.
+ Fill me with Godly compassion – that I may generously respond to people in need.

Thank You, Father, for calling me Your child – may I begin to understand the depth of Your love for me and live as a royal heir of my King. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever faithful. Amen.
__________

“Once in Royal David’s City”


_________

Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen