Morning Prayer: Fri, 09 Dec – Psalm 1:1-6; Isaiah 48:17-19; Matthew 11:16-19 ~ listen and prosper

Friday 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 1:1-6 (NLT)

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
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Reading: Isaiah 48:17-19 (NLT)

This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea. Your descendants would have been like the sands along the seashore—too many to count! There would have been no need for your destruction, or for cutting off your family name.”

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Reading: Matthew 11:16-19 (NLT)

“To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,

‘We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t mourn.’

For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”
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Prayer:

Heavenly Father:

+ You have taught me what is good
+ You have led, me along the paths to follow
+ You have given me a love for Your Word
+ You have blessed my life that I may bless others

In this season of Advent: fill me with Your Spirit

+ That I may enter into the joy of the season
+ That I may hear and obey Your Word to me
+ That I may live faithfully in this age
+ That I may be prepared for the age to come

Lord Jesus Christ: be glorified in me and, through me, in others. Amen.
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“Song on Psalm 1” – Sons of Korah

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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, 08 Dec – Psalm 98:1-4; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38 ~ God’s plan unfolds

Thursday 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 98:1-4 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds.

His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power! The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation! He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!
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Reading: Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 (NLT)

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.
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Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God.
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Reading: Luke 1:26-38 (NLT)

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

“Blessed Art Thou Among Women,” By Walter Rane

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 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. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
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Prayer:

All praise to you, Lord God, for you have done marvelous deeds.

+ You have won for us a mighty victory in Christ Jesus
+ You have shown us your saving power in Christ Jesus
+ You have revealed to us your righteousness in Christ Jesus
+ You have fulfilled your promise of love and faithfulness to us in Christ Jesus

Blessed are you, Mary, favored servant of God.

+ You overcame fear and confusion through faithful obedience
+ You believed that nothing is impossible with God
+ You gave birth to Jesus, Son of the Most High
+ You gave birth to Jesus, whose Kingdom is forever

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

+ You have united us with Christ Jesus and blessed us with every spiritual blessing
+ You have loved us and chosen us in Christ Jesus to be holy and faultless
+ You have adopted us into your family through Christ Jesus
+ You have have poured out your grace on us through Christ Jesus

Glory to you, Lord God, we are united with Christ Jesus according to you purpose and plan. Jesus is ours and we are his! Amen.
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“Union with Christ “ – 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 my peace today.

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

Morning Prayer: Wed, 07 Dec – Psalm 103:1-4, 8 & 10; Isaiah 40:25-31; Matthew 11:28-30 ~ rest for my soul

Wednesday 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 103:1-4, 8 & 10 (NLT)

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name). Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
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The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
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He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
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Reading: Isaiah 40:25-31 (NLT)

“To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One.

Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.

O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?

Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
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Reading: Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
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Prayer:

Compassionate God: You are filled with unfailing love –

+ You forgive all my sins
+ You heal all my diseases
+ You redeem me from death
+ You crown me with love and tender mercies

Everlasting God: You created the whole earth –

+ You never grow weak or weary
+ Your understanding is beyond my comprehension
+ You strengthen all who trust in You
+ You enable me to soar… to run… to walk

Lord Jesus Christ, Your are the visible image of the invisible God –

+ You are humble and gentle at heart
+ Your Way is not burdensome
+ You offer rest for my soul
+ In You I rest; in You I hope; in You I trust

Amen.
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“Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest)” – Kari Jobe

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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: Tue, 06 Dec – Psalm 96:1-3, 10-13; Isaiah 40:1-11; Matthew 18:12-14 ~ Comfort, comfort my people

Tuesday 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 96:1-3, 10-13 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
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Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly. Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth.
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Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 (NLT)

“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned. Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over for all her sins.”

Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!”

A voice said, “Shout!” I asked, “What should I shout?”

“Shout that people are like the grass. Their beauty fades as quickly as the flowers in a field. The grass withers and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the Lord. And so it is with people. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”

O Zion, messenger of good news, shout from the mountaintops! Shout it louder, O Jerusalem. Shout, and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah, “Your God is coming!” Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
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Reading: Matthew 18:12-14 (NLT)

Jesus and the Lamb art print by Katherine Brown — Jesus and the Lamb
art print by Katherine Brown

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.”
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Prayer:

Sovereign God: Your word stands forever!

+ Prepare our hearts for the Day of Salvation, when King Jesus will return in all his glory
+ Fill us with a spirit of true repentance and joyful expectation
+ Shepherd us now with tenderness and kindness along the path of righteousness
+ Displace our fears and anxieties with the assurance of your lovingkindness

Sovereign God: Come to us as the powerful, righteous judge – that every tribe and nation may acknowledge you as Lord – through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.
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“Comfort, Comfort, O My People” – The Ignatian Schola

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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: 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)

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!

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