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)

+ 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 30:2, 4-6, 11-13 (NLT)

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.
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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!”
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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“Christmas Joy” – Wellington Citadel (NZ) Salvation Army Band

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

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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: 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

Tuesday 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 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-19, 23 (NLT)

I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
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In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
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The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
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Reading: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13 (NLT)

What sorrow awaits rebellious, polluted Jerusalem, the city of violence and crime! No one can tell it anything; it refuses all correction. It does not trust in the Lord or draw near to its God.
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“Then I will purify the speech of all people, so that everyone can worship the Lord together. My scattered people who live beyond the rivers of Ethiopia will come to present their offerings. On that day you will no longer need to be ashamed, for you will no longer be rebels against me. I will remove all proud and arrogant people from among you. There will be no more haughtiness on my holy mountain. Those who are left will be the lowly and humble, for it is they who trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will never tell lies or deceive one another. They will eat and sleep in safety, and no one will make them afraid.”
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Reading: Matthew 21:28-32 (NLT)

“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.

“Which of the two obeyed his father?”

They replied, “The first.”

Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.
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Prayer:

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!
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“Christ is Here (Through the Prophets)” – New Scottish Hymns Band

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

Monday 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 24:4-9 (NLT)

Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.

Eastern Gate City Walls of Jerusalem — Eastern Gate
City Walls of Jerusalem

Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, invincible in battle.

Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.
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Reading: Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17 (NLT)

Then the Spirit of God came upon him, and this is the message he delivered:

“This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly, the message of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:

How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob; how lovely are your homes, O Israel! They spread before me like palm groves, like gardens by the riverside. They are like tall trees planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters. Water will flow from their buckets; their offspring have all they need. Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted.

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This is the message Balaam delivered: “This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly, the message of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:

I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel. It will crush the heads of Moab’s people, cracking the skulls of the people of Sheth.

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Reading: Matthew 21:23-27 (NLT)

When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?”

“I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”

They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John. But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.” So they finally replied, “We don’t know.”

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”
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Prayer:

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.
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“Daystar Carol 2014 Odun”

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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: Sat, 10 Dec – Psalm 80:2- 3, 15-16, 18-19; Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11; Matthew 17:9-13 ~ come to rescue us

Saturday 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)

Reading: Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 (NLT)

Show us your mighty power. Come to rescue us! Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.
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Take care of this grapevine that you yourself have planted, this son you have raised for yourself. For we are chopped up and burned by our enemies. May they perish at the sight of your frown.
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Then we will never abandon you again. Revive us so we can call on your name once more. Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.
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Reading: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11 (RSVCE)

Monastery of St Catherine, Icon: The Prophet Elijah.

Then the prophet Eli′jah arose like a fire, and his word burned like a torch. He brought a famine upon them, and by his zeal he made them few in number. By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens, and also three times brought down fire. How glorious you were, O Eli′jah, in your wondrous deeds! And who has the right to boast which you have?
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You who were taken up by a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with horses of fire; you who are ready at the appointed time, it is written, to calm the wrath of God before it breaks out in fury, to turn the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.

Blessed are those who saw you, and those who have been adorned in love; for we also shall surely live.
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Reading: Matthew 17:9-13 (NLT)

The icon of John the Baptist from Assumption Cathedral of the Ryazan Kremlin. XVI century

As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Then his disciples asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?”

Jesus replied, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.” Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist.
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Prayer:

Mighty God: As now we live in faith and hope, prepare us to see your face.

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!

+ We await your return: Come, Jesus, our Saviour!
+ We await your wisdom and understanding: Come, Jesus, our Saviour!
+ We await your counsel and power: Come, Jesus, our Saviour!
+ We await your revelation of the Father: Come, Jesus, our Saviour!

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Days of Elijah” – Paul Wilbur

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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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