Daily Prayers for December 28

Holy Innocents

After -Jesus was born, Matthew’s gospel records that King Herod was so disturbed by the news of a potential contender for the throne that he ordered a preemptive strike, executing all boys in Bethlehem under two years of age. Since its earliest centuries, the church has remembered these “holy innocents” who died because -Jesus’ coming posed a threat to those in power. Today we remember all the little ones, born and unborn, who are sacrificed in a culture of death that has not yet welcomed the good news of -Jesus. And we recall that Herod’s kingdom is now long gone, but the kingdom of God goes on.

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 “O Mary, Don’t You Weep”

Remember the lives of your little ones, Lord : and break the sword of the oppressor.

Psalm 136:1 – 3, 23 – 25

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good : for his mercy endures for ever.

Give thanks to the God of gods : for his mercy endures for ever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords : for his mercy endures for ever.

Who remembered us in our low estate : for his mercy endures for ever;

and delivered us from our enemies : for his mercy endures for ever;

who gives food to all creatures : for his mercy endures for ever.

Remember the lives of your little ones, Lord : and break the sword of the oppressor.

Jeremiah 31:15 – 17 Matthew 2:13 – 18

Remember the lives of your little ones, Lord : and break the sword of the oppressor.

Francis Schaeffer, founder of L’Abri, wrote, “Our conscious relationship with God is enhanced if we treat all the things he has made in the same way as he treats them.”

Prayers for Others

Our Father

Lord, receive our prayer of tears and sorrow over those children consumed by a world that holds no regard for them. We pray for children left hungry and thirsty, left to fend for themselves on the streets, left to be abused by poor, twisted souls. Lord, in your mercy receive our prayers of intercession for children around the 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.