MORNING and Evening Prayer
of the Sisters of Mercy
Easter
SEVENTH WEEK SATURDAY
Morning Prayer
READING
Acts 1: 12 - 13a, 14
Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
Jesus ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promised Advocate.
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
who shepherds the people and sets them free.
God raises from David’s house
a child with power to save.
Through the holy prophets
God promised in ages past
to save us from enemy hands,
from the grip of all who hate us.
The Lord favored our ancestors
recalling the sacred covenant,
the pledge to our ancestor Abraham,
to free us from our enemies,
so we might worship without fear
and be holy and just all our days.
And you child, will be called
Prophet of the Most High,
for you will come to prepare
a pathway for the Lord
by teaching the people salvation
through forgiveness of their sin.
Out of God’s deepest mercy
a dawn will come from on high,
light for those shadowed by death,
a guide for our feet on the way to peace.
INTERCESSIONS
Spirit of God, you came upon the disciples in the upper room. Come once more and empower us to witness to Christ Jesus.
--Come, Spirit of God.
Come, Spirit of Wisdom…
Come, Spirit of Knowledge…
Come, Spirit of Counsel…
Come, Spirit of Understanding…
Come, Spirit of Fortitude…
Come, Spirit of Piety…
Come, Spirit of Wonder and Awe...
THE LORD’S PRAYER
PRAYER
Spirit of God, come and transform us. Stir up in us an ardent desire to do your will and bring about the reign of mercy and justice. Holy Spirit, praying unceasingly within us, give our tongues the words to praise you, our hearts the fervor to love you. Sanctify the work of our lives that all our acts may give glory to God, today and always. Abide with us that we may abide with you. This we ask in faith. Amen.