Morning Prayer: Mon, 05 Dec – Psalm 85:9-14; Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 5:17-26 ~ be strong and fearless; help is on the way

Monday in the Second Week of Advent

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

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

+ We have waited long for You. Deep has been our darkness.
+ We long for You to shine right here among us where we are.
+ We will not fear the shadows that surround us if only You will come among us!
+ We wait for the sound of a cry in the night, the joy that follows pain, the coming of hope.
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Reading: Psalm 85:9-14 (NLT)

Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory.

Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed! Truth springs up from the earth, and righteousness smiles down from heaven. Yes, the Lord pours down his blessings. Our land will yield its bountiful harvest. Righteousness goes as a herald before him, preparing the way for his steps.
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Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10 (NLT)

Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God. With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts,

“Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”

And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland. The parched ground will become a pool, and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land. Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish where desert jackals once lived.

And a great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there. Lions will not lurk along its course, nor any other ferocious beasts. There will be no other dangers. Only the redeemed will walk on it. Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.
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Reading: Luke 5:17-26 (NLT)

One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus.

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”

But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”

Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!”
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Prayer:

Mighty God: prepare our hearts to celebrate the humble birth of your Son, Jesus Christ, whose glorious return is certain –

+ Fill us with a proper sense of humility and reverence at the wonder of it all
+ Transform us with your unfailing love and truth, your righteousness and peace
+ Display your glory and open our eyes to your splendor
+ Strengthen us and encourage us in our weakness

Mighty God: your day of salvation is near; come and save us, and crown us with everlasting joy – in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Mighty to Save – Hillsong United

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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell among us and be my peace today.

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

2nd Sunday of Advent, 04 Dec: Isa 11:1-10; Psa 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Rom 15:4-9; Mt 3:1-12 ~ live in complete harmony

Second Sunday of Advent

We worship God who uses messengers like John the Baptist to call us from darkness to light.

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

Opening Prayer:

Your kingdom is at hand, O God of justice and peace:

+ You made John the Baptist its herald to announce the coming of Christ Jesus, who baptises with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
+ Give us a spirit of repentance that we may enter your kingdom.
+ Let complacency yield to conviction, that in our day justice will flourish and conflict give way to the peace you bestow in Christ.

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.
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“Light of the World” – Lauren Daigle

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 11:1-10 (NLT)
[Isaiah looks forward to the coming of a messiah, who will restore harmony and justice.]

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.

And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.

In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord.

In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 (NLT)

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.
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May all the godly flourish during his reign. May there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more. May he reign from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.
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He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them.
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May the king’s name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun shines. May all nations be blessed through him and bring him praise.
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“Justice Shall Flourish” –

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A Reading from the Letters: Romans 15:4-9 (NLT)
[Paul reminds us that the scriptures were written to teach about God’s promises.]

Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote:

“For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to your name.”

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 3:1-12 (NLT)
[John the Baptist’s call to repentance is described by Matthew.]

In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said,

“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’”

John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”
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“Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord” – Jeremy Riddle

Prepare ye the way of the Lord | Prepare ye the way of the Lord | Oh, the way of the Lord

Make straight paths for His feet | Clear a way in the streets | Prepare your hearts to meet | The One who is coming

Every valley shall be raised | The rough places become plains | His salvation comes today | To those who would receive Him

What His words have foretold | All together we’ll behold | Every knee bending low | On the day of His coming

Now is a time of urgency | You must repent and believe | For the day of reckoning | Comes with His coming
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Intercessory Prayer:

Come to us King Jesus: as a babe in a manger, as the righteous judge in glory. Hear your people as we cry out to you.

+ For a spirit of repentance and humility among all believers, we pray …. Lord, hear us.
+ For peace and harmony among all believers of different cultures and traditions, we pray …. Lord, hear us.
+ For peace where it is most lacking, especially in Syria and the Middle East, we pray …. Lord, hear us.
+ For reconciliation between people, tribes and nations who are at war, we pray …. Lord, hear us.
+ For peace in our families, and forgiveness, we pray …. Lord, hear us.
+ For all children and adults alike, in this season of anticipation, we pray …. Lord, hear us.
+ For all people who are weak, homeless and hungry, we pray …. Lord, hear us.
+ For those we have died in Christ …. Lord, hear us.

O God, you save the weak, the helpless and the poor when they cry to you, hear the prayers of all your people, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Let Your Light Shine In The Darkness” – New Scottish Hymns

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Benediction:

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

Morning Prayer: Sat, 03 Dec – Psalm 147:1-6; Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26; Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5-8 ~ blessed and sent

Saturday in the First Week of Advent

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

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

+ We have waited long for You. Deep has been our darkness.
+ We long for You to shine right here among us where we are.
+ We will not fear the shadows that surround us if only You will come among us!
+ We wait the sound of a cry in the night, the joy that follows pain, the coming of hope.
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Reading: Psalm 147:1-6 (NLT)

Praise the Lord! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!

The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem and bringing the exiles back to Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! The Lord supports the humble, but he brings the wicked down into the dust.
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Reading: Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26 (NLT)

O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries. Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.
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Then the Lord will bless you with rain at planting time. There will be wonderful harvests and plenty of pastureland for your livestock. The oxen and donkeys that till the ground will eat good grain, its chaff blown away by the wind. In that day, when your enemies are slaughtered and the towers fall, there will be streams of water flowing down every mountain and hill. The moon will be as bright as the sun, and the sun will be seven times brighter—like the light of seven days in one! So it will be when the Lord begins to heal his people and cure the wounds he gave them.
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Reading: Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5-8 (NLT)

The Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles. Russian, 14th century, Moscow Museum

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.
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Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!
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Prayer:

Great is the Lord our God:

+ He heals the broken hearted
+ He supports the humble
+ He answers our cries for help
+ He guides us along the path of right living

God has blessed us; and now,
He sends us out with His authority:

+ To reap the harvest of lost souls You have prepared
+ To announce the Good News of His Kingdom
+ To cast out evil spirits and heal the sick
+ To bless others as we have been blessed

Gracious God: Go before us into the fields of harvest, and fill us with Your compassion that we may be effective Kingdom workers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Psalm 147:1-11 – Scottish Psalter 1650 (ACapella) – Jason Coghill

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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell among us and be my peace today.

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

Morning Prayer: Fri, 02 Dec – Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14; Isaiah 29:17-24; Matthew 9:27-31 ~ confident, patient, and brave

Friday in the First Week of Advent

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

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

+ We have waited long for You. Deep has been our darkness.
+ We long for You to shine right here among us where we are.
+ We will not fear the shadows that surround us if only You will come among us!
+ We wait the sound of a cry in the night, the joy that follows pain, the coming of hope.
__________

Reading: Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 (NLT)

The Lord is my light and my salvation — so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?
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The one thing I ask of the Lord — the thing I seek most — is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
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Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
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Reading: Isaiah 29:17-24 (NLT)

Soon—and it will not be very long—the forests of Lebanon will become a fertile field, and the fertile field will yield bountiful crops.

In that day the deaf will hear words read from a book, and the blind will see through the gloom and darkness. The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the Lord. The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. The scoffer will be gone, the arrogant will disappear, and those who plot evil will be killed. Those who convict the innocent by their false testimony will disappear. A similar fate awaits those who use trickery to pervert justice and who tell lies to destroy the innocent.

That is why the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says to the people of Israel,

“My people will no longer be ashamed or turn pale with fear. For when they see their many children and all the blessings I have given them, they will recognize the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob. They will stand in awe of the God of Israel. Then the wayward will gain understanding, and complainers will accept instruction.”

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Reading: Matthew 9:27-31 (NLT)

After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”

They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?”

“Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.”

Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Don’t tell anyone about this.” But instead, they went out and spread his fame all over the region.
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Prayer:

Come, Lord Jesus: Even as I prepare to celebrate Your humble birth, I look forward to Your glorious return.

+ You are my security and defense – I have nothing to fear
+ You are my joy and delight – I long to remain in Your presence
+ You are my hope in this life and in the life to come

Fill me with Your Spirit :

+ That I may live courageously – assured of Your presence
+ That I may live confidently – assured of Your goodness
+ That I may live patiently – assured of Your ultimate justice

Come, Lord Jesus: You are my Light and my Salvation. Amen.
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“Psalm 27 | He’s Able” – Indiana Bible College (by Eddie James)

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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell among us and be my peace today.

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

Morning Prayer: Thu, 01 Dec – Psalm 118; Isaiah 26:1-6; Matthew 7:21, 24-27 ~ actions speak louder…

Thursday in the First Week of Advent

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

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

Reading: Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27 (NLT)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
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It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
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Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord. These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there. I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory!
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Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success. Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, shining upon us. Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar.
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Reading: Isaiah 26:1-6 (NLT)

In that day, everyone in the land of Judah will sing this song:

Our city is strong! We are surrounded by the walls of God’s salvation.

Open the gates to all who are righteous; allow the faithful to enter. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. He humbles the proud and brings down the arrogant city. He brings it down to the dust. The poor and oppressed trample it underfoot, and the needy walk all over it.
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Reading: Matthew 7:21, 24-27 (NLT)

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”
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“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
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Prayer:

Faithful God: You are good; Your love endures forever.

+ Thank You for Your trustworthiness
+ Thank You for Your protection in times of trouble
+ Thank You for answering my prayers
+ Thank You for giving me victory over my enemies

Saving God: You are my eternal Rock; You are my Redemption; You are my Strong Deliverer.

+ Thank You for welcoming me into Your presence
+ Thank You for enveloping me with Your safety and peace
+ Keep me faithful to You – that I may trust You in all things
+ Keep my thoughts fixed on You – that I may live humbly before You

Sovereign God:

+ I believe that Jesus Christ is my only Lord and Savior
+ I believe that You raised Him from the dead and that He will return in glory
+ May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done in me – while I wait patiently for His return
+ May I listen to Your teaching and follow it today – that my life may withstand the storms of this world

Lord, give me an open heart and an obedient spirit. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“Trust In You” – Lauren Daigle

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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell among us and be my peace today.

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

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