Guided Daily Prayer (Series 2)

December 5, 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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Opening Sentences:
 In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3)

God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP,1979)

Praying Together:
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving
and raise a loud shout to him with psalms. Amen. (from Psalm 95)

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.”]

Heavenly Father, we praise you for adopting us as your children, and making us heirs of eternal life.
In your mercy you have washed us from our sins and made us clean in your sight.
Yet we still fail to love you as we should and serve you as we ought.
Forgive us our sins and renew us by your grace, that we may continue to grow as members of Christ, in whom alone is our salvation. Amen.  (Australian Prayer Book)

Words of Assurance:

Sisters and Brothers, great is God’s lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our transgressions from us. (from Psalm 103)

Scripture Reading Based on Micah 4:6-7 &Psalm79:8-9
In that day, says the LORD, I will assemble the lame and gather those who have been driven away, and those whom I have afflicted. The lame I will make the remnant, and those who were cast off, a strong nation;
Do not remember against us the iniquities of our ancestors; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low.
Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name’s sake.

[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.”

We pray for unity in our nation and in the world around us, let us pray to the Lord. O Lord, hear our prayer. [Silent prayer.]

For all who live without shelter, provide safe refuge and warm care. Let us pray to the Lord. O Lord, hear our prayer. [Silent prayer.] *

We pray for the equitable and sustainable use of our natural resources which you so carefully created for the common good of all your creatures, let us pray to the Lord. O Lord, hear our prayer. [Silent prayer.]

We pray, Almighty God, for your glory to be manifest in this season of hope. 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:

Gracious God, in this season of Advent, we turn to You, seeking the light of Your presence. As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, remind us of the steadfast love and faithfulness that meets us in the birth of Jesus Christ. Renew our hearts with Your grace, and guide our steps in the way of peace. Help us to embody the hope and joy of this holy season, serving You with gladness and singing Your praises from generation to generation. In the name of Jesus, our hope and salvation, we pray. Amen.