December 28

MORNING PRAYER

PSALM  
And he sent and killed all the children in and around
Bethlehem who were two years old or under.

READING
Jeremiah 31:15
Thus says the Lord: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”

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
Your Word came among us as an innocent child and so we pray to you, our God, for the children of our world:
~ Protect them with your love.
For the unborn, that their parents may cherish them and bring them to birth in safety, we pray:
For toddlers who ceaselessly explore and delight in their world, that this spirit of awe and adventure may grow with them, we pray:
For children who live on the streets, that they may receive the food, shelter, love and education they need to become strong, healthy adults, we pray:
For children who suffer from violence in their homes, that caring adults may respond to their needs, we pray:
For adolescents who search for meaning and purpose in their lives, that they may find teachers and mentors to guide them, we pray:

Prayer
On this feast of the Holy Innocents we pray, gentle Jesus, for children, especially those who suffer from violence or neglect. You made yourself vulnerable for our sake; may we, in gratitude, protect those who are most vulnerable among us. Strengthen us in our efforts to build a world where all may grow in safety, where opportunities for education are equally shared, where talent and creativity are nurtured. Let us learn from the children who, like you, are humble of heart. Amen.

EVENING PRAYER

PSALM  
And Herod sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under.

READING
Ephesians 2:3b – 5
We were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved.

CANTICLE OF MARY
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Eg ypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”

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 forever.
 
INTERCESSIONS
You cautioned us, O Christ, that we must be like little children in order to enter your kingdom. We pray for the children whose example you invite us to follow.
You chose to become a child for our sake:
~ May children know you as their friend and companion.
You called the children to your side:
May children today experience your love through caring adults.
With your parents you fled persecution:
~ Watch over refugee children and their parents. We commemorate today the slaughter of the innocents:
You call us to cherish life:
~ Nurture in us a gentle care for children and young people.

Prayer as in Morning Prayer