Daily Prayers for December 29
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 Lord, Hear My Prayer”
Listen, Lord; listen, Lord : not to our words but to our prayers.
Psalm 143:7 – 11
O Lord, make haste to answer me; my spirit fails me : do not hide your face from me or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning, for I put my trust in you : show me the road that I must walk, for I lift up my soul to you.
Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord : for I flee to you for refuge.
Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God : let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Revive me, O Lord, for your name’s sake : for your righteous-ness’ sake, bring me out of trouble.
Listen, Lord; listen, Lord : not to our words but to our prayers.
Isaiah 12:1 – 6 John 7:37 – 52
Listen, Lord; listen, Lord : not to our words but to our prayers.
Origen of Alexandria, a third-century Bible scholar, wrote that “as we — by our prayers — vanquish all the demons that stir up war, and lead to the violation of oaths, and disturb the peace, we in this ser-vice are much more helpful to the kings than those who go into the field to fight for them. None fight better for the king than we do. We do not indeed fight under him, although he demands it; but we fight on his behalf, forming a special army of piety by offering our prayers to God.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Lord, what you call compassion, others call weakness. What you call conviction, others call dissidence. What you call love, others call mixing with sinners. We pray that we too might be found weak, dissident, and in bad company, especially if it means we are closer 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.
