Daily Prayers for January 4

O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you

as the day rises to meet the sun.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Come, let us sing to the Lord : let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.

Song “It Is Well with My Soul”

When I walk in darkness : Lord, carry me through.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd : I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures : and leads me beside still waters.

He revives my soul : and guides me along right pathways for his name’s sake.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil : for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me : you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over.

Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life : and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

When I walk in darkness : Lord, carry me through.

Joshua 1:1 – 9 John 10:7 – 17

When I walk in darkness : Lord, carry me through.

Contemporary American author Frederick Buechner has written,
“A Christian is one who points at Christ and says, ‘I can’t prove a thing,
but there’s something about his eyes and his voice. There’s something
about the way he carries his head, his hands, the way he carries his cross ​— ​
the way he carries me.’ ”

Prayers for Others

Our Father

God, your word instructs us to be ready to give an answer for the faith that is within us. When that time comes, Lord, make us bold to proclaim that your love surpasses human knowledge. Let our answer be actions that mirror your love. Amen.

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you;

may he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;

may he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;

may he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.