Guided Daily Prayer (Series 2)

December 8, 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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First Friday of Advent ● Guided Daily Prayer ● December 8, 2023

Opening Sentences:
 I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. (Isaiah 49:6b)

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP,1979)

Praying Together:
Know this: The Lord himself is God;
he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Amen. (from Psalm 100)

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.”]

Late have I loved you, beauty so ancient and so new! Late have I loved you.
You were within me, but I stood without. I sought you here, but misused the beauty you created.
You were with me, but I was not with you.
Forgive me, O Lord, and call me, for your voice can open my ears. Shine your light, for you can make me see. Lift me with your hands, for your love can set me on the paths of peace once again. Amen  (adapted from a prayer of St. Augustine)

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

Scripture Reading – Mark 8:27-30:
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

[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.”

Almighty God, guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good, let us pray to the Lord. O Lord, hear our prayer. [Silent prayer.]

For the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and for the sick and the suffering, let us pray to the Lord. O Lord, hear our prayer. [Silent prayer.]

For this congregation, fill us with zeal to serve our neighbors. Let us pray to the Lord. O Lord, hear our prayer. [Silent prayer.] *

Fill us with patience and longing as we walk the road to Bethlehem. 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:
Lord, in the spirit of John the Baptist, stir within us a desire for transformation and renewal. As we await the coming of Christ with joy, empower us to be agents of Your love and peace in a world in need. Amen. (based on RCL Prayers)