Guided Daily Prayer (Series 2)

December 3, 2023
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Instructions: The underlined text are headings and do not need to be read. [Brackets] are instructions to be followed but not necessarily read. FOR INDIVIDUAL PRAYER: I suggest you read the prayer sheet aloud, but reading silently is fine too. FOR GROUP PRAYER: have one person act as leader. The leader reads the regular print and everyone reads the Bold Italic Type together.

Opening Sentences:
Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy, which will come to all the people; for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10, 11)

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP,1979)

Praying Together:
Our King and Savior now draws near: Come, let us adore him. Amen.

Prayers of Confession
[If the Guide is used in group prayer, the leader begins by saying “Come, let us offer our confession and seek God’s forgiveness together.”]

Holy Lord, in this time of Advent, we confess we often are distracted by the season’s busyness, by the stress of commitments and even by putting our own traditions ahead of the true meaning of Christmas.
We confess we sometimes prefer being sentimental to being sacrificial. Forgive us for all the times we have missed seeing you in our midst, for all the times we have doubted your presence, and for all the times we have failed to hold the holidays as holy days.
Pour peace into our lives and let us be bearers of your peace to others.
Remind us that this is a season of waiting and preparation for the greatest gift of all. In the holy name of Jesus we pray. Amen. (pastorsworkshop.com)

Words of Assurance:
Be assured of God’s righteousness. In confessing our sins with a humble heart, God is merciful, just and kind.

Scripture Reading Based on 1 Corinthians 1:3-9:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you

You are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

[Silent Prayer / or Music may be listened to / or a Hymn is sung.]

Prayers of the People:
With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord, saying “O Lord, hear our prayer.

For the peace from above, for the loving-kindness of God, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. O Lord, hear our prayer. [Silent prayer.]

For the sick, the suffering and those in any trouble, grant them comfort. Let us pray to the Lord. O Lord, hear our prayer. [Silent prayer.] *

For our hometown and for every city and community, and for those who live in them, let us pray to the Lord. O Lord, hear our prayer. [Silent prayer.]

Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Son of the Most High, Prince of Peace, be born again into our world. Wherever there is war, Come, thou holy child of peace, with healing in thy wings, let us pray to the Lord. O Lord, hear our prayer. [Silent prayer.]

For our individual and special prayers this day, we lift them up to the Lord. [Silent Prayer]

The Lord’s Prayer:
Hear us, O Lord, as we pray together:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Closing Prayer:
In this holy season of Advent, may we be attentive to Your divine presence, O God. Strengthen our hearts in peace and guide us in the path of righteousness. As we await the coming of Your Son, Jesus Christ, fill us with a spirit of hopeful expectation and let Your love be known through our actions. Amen. (based on RCL Prayers)

Full Texts for Today: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Isaiah 64:1-9; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-27
https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=568530471