Lord God, the Holy Innocents bore witness to You not by speaking but by dying. Grant that the faith we proclaim in words may be borne out by deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
God our creator, Your strength sustains Your people all their days: hear our prayers and stay with us throughout the New Year, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Give us grace, Lord, to practice what we worship. Teach us to love our enemies as we keep the feast of Saint Stephen, who prayed even for the men who stoned him to death. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
God our Father, this morning we eagerly greet the birth of Jesus, our brother and Saviour. He is the Daystar from on high, the light-bearer who brings the dawn to us, who wait patiently for his coming. – Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men.
Fill us with confidence, Lord God, when Your Only-Begotten Son comes as our judge. We welcome Him with joy as our redeemer: year by year renew that joy, as we await the fulfillment of our redemption by Jesus Christ our Lord, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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 Tomorrow your salvation will be with you, says the Lord, God almighty…. Read More ›
Loving and Gracious God: As people around the world gather at Your Table – may we drink the Cup of Joy and eat the Bread of Life… and enter into the beauty of Christmas. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, and will come again in glory, one God forever. Amen.
Does this offend you? The Lord’s Prayer ad is banned from cinemas in case it upsets people.
The Church of England has said it is “disappointed and bewildered” by the refusal of leading UK cinemas to show an advert featuring the Lord’s Prayer.
The Church called the decision “plain silly” and warned it could have a “chilling” effect on free speech.
It had hoped the 60-second film would be screened UK-wide before Christmas ahead of the new Star Wars film.
