Daily Prayers for December 11
In 1981 scores of Salvadoran troops from the US-trained Atlacatl Battalion occupied the town of El Mozote in rural El Salvador, interrogating its citizens about the whereabouts of guerilla troops suspected to be in the area. Though the residents of El Mozote, many of them born-again evangelicals, were known to be neutral in the conflict between the Salvadoran government and the FMLN resistance, nearly one thousand men, women, and children were systematically killed in the largest massacre of modern Latin American history.
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 “I Want -Jesus to Walk with Me”
Rouse yourself! Come and see! : Save us, God, from the enemy.
Psalm 59:1 – 5
Rescue me from my enemies, O God : protect me from those who rise up against me.
Rescue me from evildoers : and save me from those who thirst for my blood.
See how they lie in wait for my life, how the mighty gather together against me : not for any offense or fault of mine, O Lord.
Not because of any guilt of mine : they run and prepare themselves for battle.
Rouse yourself, come to my side, and see : for you, Lord God of hosts, are Israel’s God.
Rouse yourself! Come and see! : Save us, God, from the enemy.
Isaiah 6:1 – 13 Luke 22:14 – 30
Rouse yourself! Come and see! : Save us, God, from the enemy.
The inscription on a memorial in El Mozote’s town square reads, “They did not die, they are with us, with you, and with all humanity.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Lord, we give thanks for the faithful who have gone before us. Strengthen us by their witness of courage and help us live lives that might encourage those who long for the gift of faith. 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.
Daily Prayers for December 10
Thomas Merton (1915 – 1968)
Thomas Merton pursued the ideals of pleasure and freedom in early adulthood only to reject them as an illusion and embrace a life of prayer and silence as a Trappist monk. His 1949 conversion story, The Seven Storey Mountain, was a surprise bestseller, introducing millions of modern -people to the gifts of monasticism. A mentor to many activists in the Catholic peace movement, Merton became a prophetic voice for peace and nonviolence in the twentieth century, despite the fact that his “political” writings were censored by his order. Convinced that contemplative life must engage the world, he prepared the way for a new monasticism.
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 “Be Thou My Vision”
Behold, God is my helper : it is the Lord who sustains my life.
Psalm 54:1 – 6
Save me, O God, by your name : in your might, defend my cause.
Hear my prayer, O God : give ear to the words of my mouth.
For the arrogant have risen up against me, and the ruthless have sought my life : those who have no regard for God.
Behold, God is my helper : it is the Lord who sustains my life.
Render evil to those who spy on me : in your faithfulness, destroy them.
I will offer you a freewill sacrifice : and praise your name, O Lord, for it is good.
Behold, God is my helper : it is the Lord who sustains my life.
Isaiah 5:13 – 17, 24 – 25 Luke 22:1 – 13
Behold, God is my helper : it is the Lord who sustains my life.
Thomas Merton wrote, “The monk does not come to the monastery to ‘get’ something which the ordinary Christian cannot have. On the contrary, he comes there in order to realize and to appreciate all that any good Christian already has. He comes to live his Christian life, and thus to appreciate to the full his heritage as a son of God. He comes in order that he might see and understand that he already possesses everything.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Lord, teach us to live as contemplative activists, trusting that your Spirit and your word provide all we need to dance with the angels on Jacob’s ladder between heaven and earth. 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.
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.
Daily Prayers for December 8
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 “Ubi Caritas”
Your glory, Lord, lights up the world : where love is real, it shines.
Psalm 41:1 – 3, 13
Happy are they who consider the poor and needy! : the Lord will deliver them in the time of trouble.
The Lord preserves them and keeps them alive, so that they may be happy in the land : he does not hand them over to the will of their enemies.
The Lord sustains them on their sickbed : and ministers to them in their illness.
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel : from age to age. Amen. Amen.
Your glory, Lord, lights up the world : where love is real, it shines.
Isaiah 5:1 – 7 Luke 21:20 – 28
Your glory, Lord, lights up the world : where love is real, it shines.
Jean Vanier, founder of the L’Arche communities, has written, “To love someone is not first of all to do things for them, but to reveal to them their beauty and value, to say to them through our attitude: ‘You are beautiful. You are important. I trust you. You can trust yourself.’ We all know well that we can do things for others and in the process crush them, making them feel that they are incapable of doing things by themselves. To love someone is to reveal to them their capacities for life, the light that is shining in them.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Lord, help us minister to others in ways that validate and authenticate them as fellow children of God. Keep us from daring to assume that our good fortune is of our own doing or that our ability to serve is anything other than a gift. 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.
Daily Prayers for December 7
Ambrose of Milan (339 – 397)
A provincial governor in fourth-century Italy, Ambrose was drafted to serve as bishop before he was even baptized. Reluctant to serve the church at first, he took the task seriously when he finally accepted the call. Ambrose gave away all of his possessions, took up a strict schedule of daily prayer, and committed himself to the study of Scripture. Called from the world of politics to serve the church, Ambrose was a leader who spoke truth to power and did not back down, insisting that “the emperor is in the church, not over it.”
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 “I Will Trust in the Lord”
You, O Lord, are king of all : ruler of every nation.
Psalm 37:1 – 4
Do not fret yourself because of evildoers : do not be jealous of those who do wrong.
For they shall soon wither like the grass : and like the green grass fade away.
Put your trust in the Lord and do good : dwell in the land and feed on its riches.
Take delight in the Lord : and he shall give you your heart’s desire.
You, O Lord, are king of all : ruler of every nation.
Isaiah 4:2 – 6 Luke 7:28 – 35
You, O Lord, are king of all : ruler of every nation.
Addressing Roman Emperor Theodosius about a massacre he had authorized at Thessalonica, Ambrose of Milan wrote, “You are human, and temptation has overtaken you. Overcome it. I counsel, I beseech, I implore you to repentance. You, who have so often been merciful and pardoned the guilty, have now caused many innocents to perish. The devil wished to wrest from you the crown of piety which was your chiefest glory. Drive him from you while you can.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Lord, we do not always rush to do your will. Often we tiptoe our way into obedience, dragging old habits and mindsets with us. Help us to delight at your voice and to trust that your calling is always good news. 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.
Daily Prayers for December 6
Nicholas of Myra (Fourth Century)
The original “Old St. Nick” who inspired the tradition of Santa Claus, Nicholas was bishop of Myra in fourth-century Turkey. Little is known about his life except that he entrusted himself to -Jesus at an early age and, when his parents died, gave all of their possessions to the poor. While serving as bishop, Nicholas learned of three girls who were going to be sold into slavery by their father. Moved to use the church’s wealth to ransom the lives of these little ones, he tossed three bags of gold through the family’s window. We recall this ancient Christmas gift, even as we remember that 1.2 million children are trafficked each year in the global sex trade today.
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 “The Kingdom of God”
Remember your little ones, Lord : and give us courage to stand for them.
Psalm 33:18 – 21
Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear him : on those who wait upon his love,
to pluck their lives from death : and to feed them in time of famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord : he is our help and our shield.
Indeed, our heart rejoices in him : for in his holy name we put our trust.
Remember your little ones, Lord : and give us courage to stand for them.
Isaiah 3:8 – 15 Luke 21:5 – 19
Remember your little ones, Lord : and give us courage to stand for them.
Catherine Booth, co-founder of the Salvation Army and a passionate advocate for children, said, “There is no improving the future without disturbing the present.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Lord -Jesus Christ, you welcomed the little children to come unto you and invited us to come like them. Help us see how we can welcome children as you have welcomed us into your body. 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.
Daily Prayers for December 5
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 “We Shall Overcome”
You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face” : your face, Lord, will I seek.
Psalm 27:1 – 4
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? : the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh : it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled and fell.
Though an army should encamp against me : yet my heart shall not be afraid;
and though war should rise up against me : yet will I put my trust in him.
You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face” : your face, Lord, will I seek.
Isaiah 2:12 – 22 Luke 20:41 – 21:4
You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face” : your face, Lord, will I seek.
Nineteenth-century abolitionist Sojourner Truth said, “I’m not going to die, honey. I’m going home like a shooting star.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Lord, when we strive after healing in the world and nourishment for those who hunger, we find you at our side. Whenever we long to see your face, help us not to avoid the corners of our communities where you most often dwell. Stir our hearts that we might seek and find you today in those places where you have promised to be. 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.
Daily Prayers for December 4
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 “Magnificat”
Praise to you who lift up the poor : and fill the hungry with good things.
Psalm 22:22 – 25
Praise the Lord, you that fear him : stand in awe of him, O offspring of Israel; all you of Jacob’s line, give glory.
For he does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty; neither does he hide his face from them : but when they cry to him he hears them.
My praise is of him in the great assembly : I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him.
The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord shall praise him : “May your heart live for ever!”
Praise to you who lift up the poor : and fill the hungry with good things.
Isaiah 2:1 – 11 Luke 20:27 – 40
Praise to you who lift up the poor : and fill the hungry with good things.
Commenting on the activities of the early church, Roman Emperor Julian said, “The godless Galileans feed our poor in addition to their own.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Lord, keep us from trying to distinguish between the deserving and the undeserving poor. Help us work to alleviate suffering and injustice wherever we find it, trusting that the rest is up 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.
Daily Prayers for December 3
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 “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”
O come, O come, Emmanuel : and ransom captive Israel.
Psalm 18:3 – 7
I will call upon the Lord : and so shall I be saved from my enemies.
The breakers of death rolled over me : and the torrents of oblivion made me afraid.
The cords of hell entangled me : and the snares of death were set for me.
I called upon the Lord in my distress : and cried out to my God for help.
He heard my voice from his heavenly dwelling : my cry of anguish came to his ears.
O come, O come, Emmanuel : and ransom captive Israel.
Isaiah 1:21 – 31 Luke 20:19 – 26
O come, O come, Emmanuel : and ransom captive Israel.
Justin the Martyr wrote in the second century, “He called Abraham and commanded him to go out from the country where he was living. With this call he has roused us all, and now we have renounced all the things the world offers, even unto death.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Hound us, Lord, with affection and conviction until we renounce all lesser things to follow you. Help us see that in giving up the fool’s gold of the world, we open ourselves to heavenly treasure that lasts forever. 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.
Daily Prayers for December 2
In 1980 Maura Clarke, Ita Ford, Dorothy Kazel, and Jean Donovan were murdered by officers of the Salvadoran military. Missionaries serving among the poor during El Salvador’s civil war, these women knew, as Ita Ford said the night before she died, that “one who is committed to the poor must risk the same fate as the poor.” Their deaths affected the North American church deeply, galvanizing opposition to US support for the Salvadoran government’s repression of its -people.
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 “Were You There?”
O Lord, listen to the song : of your saints who cry, “How long?”
Psalm 12:1 – 5
Help me, Lord, for there is no godly one left : the faithful have vanished from among us.
Everyone speaks falsely with his neighbor : with a smooth tongue they speak from a double heart.
Oh, that the Lord would cut off all smooth tongues : and close the lips that utter proud boasts!
Those who say, “With our tongue will we prevail : our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”
“Because the needy are oppressed, and the poor cry out in misery : I will rise up,” says the Lord, “and give them the help they long for.”
O Lord, listen to the song : of your saints who cry, “How long?”
Isaiah 1:10 – 20 Luke 20:9 – 18
O Lord, listen to the song : of your saints who cry, “How long?”
Ita Ford wrote, “The reasons why so many -people are being killed are quite complicated, yet there are some clear, simple strands. One is that -people have found a meaning to live, to sacrifice, struggle, and even die. And whether their life spans sixteen years, sixty, or ninety, for them their life has had a purpose. In many ways, they are fortunate -people.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Lord, it was not enough for you to care for the poor. You chose to become one of them by descending as you did. Keep us free from fear and selfish preoccupations that we may walk as you walked among the poor, sick, and dying in body and spirit. 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.
