Morning Prayer: Mon, 19 Dec – Psalm 71:3-6, 16-17; Luke 1:5-25 ~ you alone are my hope

Monday in the Fourth 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.
__________

Reading: Psalm 71:3-6, 16-17 (NLT)

Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of cruel oppressors. O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!
_____

I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just. O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.
__________

Reading: Luke 1:5-25 (NLT)

When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.

One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.

Archangel Gabriel Struck Zechariah Mute by Alexander Ivanov, (1824) — Archangel Gabriel Struck Zechariah Mute
by Alexander Ivanov, (1824)

While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”

Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”

Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.

When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”
__________

Prayer:

Mighty and Everlasting God: you are my rock and my fortress; you alone are all I need in life and in death.

+ Turn my mind and heart back to you, Lord; send me your light and your truth.
+ Help me to grasp the meaning of your Son’s coming in a way that is personal and profound.
+ Show me your image in even the lowliest of my fellow-men; may I preserve their dignity and honor.
+ Make me your peacemaker; healing the broken bonds of human life by sharing my hope in Christ.
+ Help me to hear your voice through the situations I encounter today; give me a willing obedient spirit.

Deepen my faith, Lord God, as I prepare to celebrate Christmas; may I never be afraid, for you alone are all I need in life and in death. I ask this through Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
__________

“God Alone Is Enough” – David Haas

Let nothing upset you, let nothing startle you.
All things pass; God does not change.
Patience wins all it seeks.
Whoever has God lacks nothing:
God alone is enough.

-St Teresa Avila
__________

Blessing

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

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

Saturday in the Third 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 72:1-4, 7-8, 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. 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.
_____

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.
_____

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.
__________

Reading: Genesis 49:2, 8-10 (NLT)

“Come and listen, you sons of Jacob; listen to Israel, your father.
_____

“Judah, your brothers will praise you. You will grasp your enemies by the neck. All your relatives will bow before you. Judah, my son, is a young lion that has finished eating its prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor.
__________

Reading: Matthew 1:1-17 (NLT)

This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham:

Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram. Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon. Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David.

David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah). Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam was the father of Abijah. Abijah was the father of Asa. Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram. Jehoram was the father of Uzziah. Uzziah was the father of Jotham. Jotham was the father of Ahaz. Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh. Manasseh was the father of Amon. Amon was the father of Josiah. Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin and his brothers (born at the time of the exile to Babylon).

“The Birth of Christ”
Gerard van Honthorst, 1622

After the Babylonian exile: Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud. Abiud was the father of Eliakim. Eliakim was the father of Azor. Azor was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Akim. Akim was the father of Eliud. Eliud was the father of Eleazar. Eleazar was the father of Matthan. Matthan was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.

All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.
__________

Prayer:

Sovereign God: In this chaotic and confusing world, we long for justice and righteousness.

+ That both the rich and the poor may be treated fairly
+ That our land may yield prosperity for all
+ That the poor may be defended, and the children of the needy rescued
+ That the godly may flourish

Sovereign God: You have established a royal lineage from Father Abraham through King David to Jesus Messiah.

+ Come and rule in our hearts today
+ Come and rule in our homes and families today
+ Govern our comings and goings, our work and our rest, and all our relationships
+ Establish your Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven that all nations will acknowledge and give you the praise due your name.

May the name of Jesus endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun shines. May all nations be blessed through him and bring him praise. Amen.
__________

“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” – Maranatha Celtic

__________

Blessing

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

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

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

Friday in the Third 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 67:2-3, 5, 7 (NLT)

May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you.
_____

May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you.
_____

Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear him.
__________

Reading: Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8 (NLT)

This is what the Lord says:

“Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you. Blessed are all those who are careful to do this. Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong.

“Don’t let foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord say, ‘The Lord will never let me be part of his people.’ And don’t let the eunuchs say, ‘I’m a dried-up tree with no children and no future.’
_____

“I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord, who serve him and love his name, who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who hold fast to my covenant. I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations. For the Sovereign Lord, who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says: I will bring others, too, besides my people Israel.”
__________

Reading: John 5:33-36 (NLT)

In fact, you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about me was true. Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved. John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message. But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me.
__________

Prayer:

Heavenly Father: May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere.

+ Remind us of all that you have done for us in the past.
+ Prepare us for all that you have for us in the future.
+ May this Advent and Christmas season refresh our faith and trust in you.

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.

Holy Spirit: May the miracle of the Word made flesh awaken us to the power of your presence among us today.

+ You rain down signs and wonders from above on the old and the young.
+ You come with fire and burn within the souls of all who call on your name.
+ May we surrender to your glory, during this Advent and Christmas season, and become immersed in your mercy and love.
__________

“Open Heaven” – Hillsong Worship

__________

Blessing

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

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

Morning Prayer: Thu, 15 Dec – Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; Isaiah 54:1-10; Luke 7:24-30 ~ a lifetime of favor

Thursday in the Third 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 30:2, 4-6, 11-13 (NLT)

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.
_____

Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. When I was prosperous, I said, “Nothing can stop me now!”
_____

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!
__________

Reading: Isaiah 54:1-10 (NLT)

“Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth! Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem, you who have never been in labor. For the desolate woman now has more children than the woman who lives with her husband,” says the Lord.

“Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense! For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle the ruined cities.

“Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you. You will no longer remember the shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood. For your Creator will be your husband; the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name! He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth. For the Lord has called you back from your grief—as though you were a young wife abandoned by her husband,” says your God.

“For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will take you back. In a burst of anger I turned my face away for a little while. But with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord, your Redeemer.

“Just as I swore in the time of Noah that I would never again let a flood cover the earth, so now I swear that I will never again be angry and punish you. For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you.
__________

Reading: Luke 7:24-30 (NLT)

After John’s disciples left, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people who wear beautiful clothes and live in luxury are found in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,

‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!”

When they heard this, all the people—even the tax collectors—agreed that God’s way was right, for they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God’s plan for them, for they had refused John’s baptism.
__________

Prayer:

Open the heavens, Mighty God, and rain down your Spirit – that the earth may joyfully receive your Son, Jesus Christ, the embodiment of your grace and truth.

+ Lord Jesus Christ, you have called us into your kingdom: may we enter in, and live according to your call.
+ Lord Jesus Christ, the world does not know you: show yourself, in our midst, to all our brothers and sisters around the world.
+ Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for all that we have: move us to give of our plenty to those who have little.
+ Lord Jesus Christ, we look for your coming: when you knock, may we be found watching in prayer and rejoicing in praise.

Gracious God, heal us and bring us joy by the coming of your only Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
__________

“Christmas Joy” – Wellington Citadel (NZ) Salvation Army Band

__________

Blessing

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

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

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

Wednesday in the Third 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 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.
__________

Reading: Isaiah 45:6-8, 18, 21-25 (NLT)

All the world from east to west will know there is no other God. I am the Lord, and there is no other. I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things.

“Open up, O heavens, and pour out your righteousness. Let the earth open wide so salvation and righteousness can sprout up together. I, the Lord, created them….”
_____

For the Lord is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos. “I am the Lord,” he says, “and there is no other….”
_____

“Consult together, argue your case. Get together and decide what to say. Who made these things known so long ago? What idol ever told you they would happen? Was it not I, the Lord? For there is no other God but me, a righteous God and Savior. There is none but me.

Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other. I have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to me.”

The people will declare, “The Lord is the source of all my righteousness and strength.” And all who were angry with him will come to him and be ashamed. In the Lord all the generations of Israel will be justified, and in him they will boast.
__________

Reading: Luke 7:18-23 (NLT)

The disciples of John the Baptist told John about everything Jesus was doing. So John called for two of his disciples, and he sent them to the Lord to ask him, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”

John’s two disciples found Jesus and said to him, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?’”

At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind. Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”
__________

Prayer:

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.
__________

“Of the Father’s Love Begotten” – traditional a capella chior

__________

Blessing

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

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

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: