SECOND, FOURTH AND SIXTH WEEKS
MORNING PRAYER
READING
Proverbs 31:10, 20, 25-26, 30-31
A capable wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
She opens her hand to the poor,
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her a share in the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the city gates.
CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong.
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
Gracious God, in the women of the Hebrew
scriptures you have given us strong models for
life and faith. For the grace to reverence and
imitate them, we pray.
Sarah laughed at the thought of becoming a
mother in her old age:
~ Grant us appreciation for the surprises
of your grace.
Rebecca secured a blessing for her son:
~ May we be resourceful in facing the
challenges of life.
Deborah and Judith were fearless in facing the
enemies of their people:
~ Give us courage before whatever
threatens us.
Ruth proved the value of relationship and
fidelity:
~ May we be loyal to our friends and
faithful to our commitments.
Esther endangered herself for the sake of
her people:
~ Give us a share in her integrity and
devotion.
Miriam danced before the ark:
~ May we be joyful in your presence.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
PRAYER
We thank you, God, for all the women in our
families and community who have been strong
role models for us. Through these forty days
may we reflect once again on the path they have
marked out for us. May our memories of them
fill us with joy and sustain us as we make our
journey to you. We ask this in the name of Mary
whose life embraces both the old and the new
covenants. 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: 1 Corinthians 1:27b-30
God chose what is weak in the world to shame
the strong; God chose what is low and despised
in the world, things that are not, to reduce
to nothing things that are, so that no one might
boast in the presence of God. God is the source
of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for
us wisdom from God, and righteousness and
sanctification and redemption, in order that,
as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast
in the Lord."
CANTICLE OF MARY
Christ Jesus became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification
and redemption.
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
We come to you during this Lenten season,
O God, asking that you strengthen our resolve
to build your kingdom. For this grace, we pray.
Generous God, you created the world and gave
it to us to cherish and protect:
~ May we receive the gifts of your creation
with gratitude and humility.
Loving God, you chose us at our baptism to be
your children:
~ Receive our commitment to take up our
cross daily and follow you.
Healer of bodies, minds and spirits, by your
love for us you lead us to love others:
~ Heal our prejudice, selfishness and coldness
of heart.
God of the covenant, you blessed Abraham and
Sarah and made of them a great nation:
~ Help us to be faithful to the vows by
which we express our covenant with you.
God of life, you have robbed death of
its power:
~ Comfort those who mourn, and give new life
to those who have died.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
PRAYER
You have called us, God, to build up your king-
dom. Give us the strength and ingenuity we
need to help bring our world to its completion
in you. May we honor all with whom we share
the earth and steward wisely the creation you
have entrusted to us. we ask this through the
power of your Spirit. 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.