Daily Prayers for December 18

With the passing of the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, slavery was abolished in the United States on December 18, 1865.

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 “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”

The Lord is King! Let freedom ring! : Let freedom ring! The Lord is King.

Psalm 96:9 – 13

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness : let the whole earth tremble before him.

Tell it out among the nations: “The Lord is King! : he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved; he will judge the -peoples with equity.”

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea thunder and all that is in it : let the field be joyful and all that is therein.

Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy before the Lord when he comes : when he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteous-ness : and the -peoples with his truth.

The Lord is King! Let freedom ring! : Let freedom ring! The Lord is King.

Isaiah 9:18 – 10:4 John 5:30 – 47

The Lord is King! Let freedom ring! : Let freedom ring! The Lord is King.

Speaking as a former slave, Austin Steward said, “The more we knew of freedom, the more we desired it.”

Prayers for Others

Our Father

Thank you, Lord, for the signs that confirm you are indeed sovereign and your kingdom will always prevail. May these signs encourage us to persevere in working toward justice for all who have reason to question its possibility in this world. 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.