Daily Prayers for December 17

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 bow down and bend the knee : let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

Song “What Wondrous Love”

We bow before your throne, O Lord : to rise and see your face.

Psalm 89:14 – 18

Righteous-ness and justice are the foundations of your throne : love and truth go before your face.

Happy are the -people who know the festal shout! : they walk, O Lord, in the light of your presence.

They rejoice daily in your name : they are jubilant in your righteous-ness.

For you are the glory of their strength : and by your favor our might is exalted.

Truly, the Lord is our ruler : the Holy One of Israel is our King.

We bow before your throne, O Lord : to rise and see your face.

Isaiah 9:8 – 17 John 3:16 – 21

We bow before your throne, O Lord : to rise and see your face.

Clement, one of Peter’s early successors as bishop of Rome, prayed, “O Lord, who brings to naught the designs of the nations, O Ruler, who raises the lowly and humbles the lofty, have mercy on those who are disheartened! Raise us who have fallen, show thyself to those who entreat thee, and heal those who are sick. Feed the hungry, free our captives, strengthen the weak, encourage those who lose heart! All nations shall know that thou alone art God.”

Prayers for Others

Our Father

Lord, we cannot dwell in both light and darkness. Each day we have a choice. Help us choose light, and when we fail in faithful decision-making, have mercy on us. 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.