Guided Daily Prayer (Series 2)

December 14, 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.

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Second Thursday of Advent ● Guided Daily Prayer

Opening Sentences:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:2)

God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP,1979)

Praying Together:

The earth is the Lord’s for he made it: 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.”]

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.  (BCP,1979)

Words of Assurance:
May Almighty God grant us forgiveness of all our sins, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture Reading – Luke 1:7, 13-15, 16-17:
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. ¹³But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. ¹⁴You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, ¹⁵for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.¹⁶He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the 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 situations of conflict and misunderstanding, that compassion and good faith may prevail over suspicion and hatred, let us pray to the Lord. O Lord, hear our prayer. [Silent prayer.]

For the absolution and remission of our sins and offenses, let us pray to the Lord. O Lord, hear our prayer. [Silent prayer.]

For all public servants, and those in positions of authority, that they may serve with justice and promote the dignity of every person, 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:
O God, who spoke to Elizabeth and Mary, fill our hearts with the same joy and wonder at the promise of Your Son’s birth. May our lives be a song of praise, announcing the coming of Jesus Christ, our hope and salvation. Amen. (based on RCL Prayers)