Daily Prayers for December 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 “Magnificat”

Praise to you who lift up the poor : and fill the hungry with good things.

Psalm 22:22 – 25

Praise the Lord, you that fear him : stand in awe of him, O offspring of Israel; all you of Jacob’s line, give glory.

For he does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty; neither does he hide his face from them : but when they cry to him he hears them.

My praise is of him in the great assembly : I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him.

The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord shall praise him : “May your heart live for ever!”

Praise to you who lift up the poor : and fill the hungry with good things.

Isaiah 2:1 – 11 Luke 20:27 – 40

Praise to you who lift up the poor : and fill the hungry with good things.

Commenting on the activities of the early church, Roman Emperor Julian said, “The godless Galileans feed our poor in addition to their own.”

Prayers for Others

Our Father

Lord, keep us from trying to distinguish between the deserving and the undeserving poor. Help us work to alleviate suffering and injustice wherever we find it, trusting that the rest is up to you. 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.