SECOND, FOURTH AND SIXTH WEEKS
MORNING PRAYER
READING
Jeremiah 11:19-20
I was like a gentle lamb
led to the slaughter.
And I did not know it was against me
that they devised schemes, saying,
"Let us destroy the tree with its fruit,
let us cut him off from the land of the living,
so that his name will no longer be remembered!"
But you, O Mighty God, who judge righteously,
who try the heart and the mind,
let me see your retribution upon them,
for to you I have committed my cause.
CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
The lamb of God take s away the sins
of the world.
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
Jesus reconciles the world to himself. Let us
now offer our prayers to him:
~ Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
That we as a Mercy community may appreciate
our diversity of customs, cultures and languages,
we pray:
That as we make this Lenten journey we may
become more generous in sharing our resources,
we pray:
That those who live with terminal illness may
experience compassion and encouragement
in their caregivers, we pray.
That those who are separated from one another
because of anger or injury may find peace in
forgiveness and reconciliation, we pray:
That we may be freed from the bondage of self-
centeredness, possessiveness and pride, we pray:
THE LORD'S PRAYER
PRAYER
Jesus, Lamb of God, you came to be our
reconciler. Inspired by your example, may we
reach out in love to those who are wounded
in spirit and alienated from themselves or their
loved ones. May our compassion be a bridge
leading them to peace. We ask this, trusting in
your healing love. Amen.
BLESSING
Purify our hearts, O God, that we may be freed from sin. Amen.
Renew our hearts, O God, that they may burn with love for you. Amen.
Open our hearts, O God, that we may welcome all persons as our brothers and sisters. Amen.
EVENING PRAYER
READING: Romans 5:8-9
This proves God's love for us in that while we
still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more
surely then, now that we have been justified by
his blood, will we be saved through him from
the wrath of God.
CANTICLE OF MARY
While we still were sinners, Christ died for us.
I acclaim the greatness of the Lord,
I delight in God my savior,
who regarded my humble state.
Truly from this day on
all ages will call me blest.
For God, wonderful in power,
has used that strength for me.
Holy the name of the Lord!
Whose mercy embraces the faithful,
one generation to the next.
The mighty arm of God
scatters the proud in their conceit,
pulls tyrants from their thrones,
and raises up the humble.
The Lord fills the starving
and lets the rich go hungry.
God rescues lowly Israel,
recalling the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors,
to Abraham’s heirs for ever.
INTERCESSIONS
In this desert time of renewal, direct our hearts
and steps more surely in your path:
~ Hear us, O God.
Guide the desires of catechumens and penitents,
we pray:
Deepen the commitment of all who follow
a spiritual pat, we pray:
Enable us to embrace our crosses and to walk in
the way of compassionate love, we pray:
Help divided groups and nations to seek the
common ground, we pray:
Be present to those who are imprisoned
unjustly or who wait for trial, we pray:
THE LORD'S PRAYER
PRAYER
May the integrity of our Lenten journey,
O saving God, bring new life to our community
and to our world. May we walk the path of
mercy and justice so that your reign will
become a reality among us. We ask this in the
name of Jesus, whose journey to Jerusalem
shows the way. Amen.
BLESSING
Purify our hearts, O God, that we may be freed from sin. Amen.
Renew our hearts, O God, that they may burn with love for you. Amen.
Open our hearts, O God, that we may welcome all persons as our brothers and sisters. Amen.