Daily Prayers for December 9
Martin de Porres (1579 – 1639)
Martin de Porres was a Dominican brother who is often celebrated by mixed-race -people and those committed to ending racism and segregation. He was born in Lima, Peru, the son of a Spanish nobleman and a former slave from Panama. Having grown up familiar with poverty and prejudice, he became a passionate advocate for those on the margins, establishing an orphanage and hospital for children, and becoming well known for his compassion. Martin is often depicted with a broom because he considered all work to be sacred and was committed to ser-vice and sacrifice.
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 “Servant Song”
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised : in the city of our God is his holy hill.
Psalm 48:2 – 7
Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the hill of Zion : the very center of the world and the city of the great King.
God is in her citadels : he is known to be her sure refuge.
Behold, the kings of the earth assembled : and marched forward together.
They looked and were astounded : they retreated and fled in terror.
Trembling seized them there : they writhed like a woman in childbirth, like ships of the sea when the east wind shatters them.
As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God : God has established her for ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised : in the city of our God is his holy hill.
Isaiah 5:8 – 12, 18 – 23 Luke 21:29 – 38
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised : in the city of our God is his holy hill.
Cyprian of Carthage, a third-century North African bishop, said, “The Lord Christ did not want us to pray by ourselves in private or for ourselves alone. We do not say ‘My Father, who art in heaven,’ nor ‘Give me this day my daily bread.’ It is not for oneself alone that each person asks to be forgiven, not to be led into temptation or to be delivered from evil. Rather, we pray in public as a community, and not for one individual but for all.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Lord, you have woven the threads of creation too finely together for any of us to exist as islands unto ourselves. Teach us to delight in your web of life and to know ourselves in community. 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.
