MONDAY
MORNING PRAYER
READING
Isaiah 2:3 – 4
Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain
of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that we may be instructed in righteous ways and walk in the pathways of our God.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. God shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
Nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
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
God of peace, teach us your ways, that we may renounce whatever separates us from you and from our brothers and sisters:
~ God of peace, teach us your ways.
That nations torn by racial and ethnic animosities, by class and religious prejudices, will find a way to embrace peace with justice:
That those who profit from the manufacture and sale of armaments will convert their efforts to peacetime uses:
That families and communities divided by suspicion and old hurts will find their way to reconciliation:
That young people who resort to violence will learn peaceful means of resolving differences:
That all who oppress and abuse others, in the family or workplace, will come to repentance:
That we may all learn to be peacemakers:
PRAYER
Ruler of nations and Prince of peace, you know the secrets of all hearts. Teach us to love one another, to forgive all injuries, to bear wrongs patiently, and so to walk in your path. We make this Prayer confident of your everlasting love for us. Amen.
EVENING PRAYER
READING
Philippians 3:20b – 21
We are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
CANTICLE OF MARY
We are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
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
Night falls and we draw close to the Spirit of Christ, our source of light and knowledge. As people of mercy, we seek compassion and kindness for ourselves and those whom we serve:
~ Christ our Savior, show us the way to serve you in
Mercy.
As lovers and guardians of our planet earth, we pray:
~ God our Creator, give us awareness of the beauty of the earth, and strengthen our resolve to care for it.
As educators, we seek to lead others to the truth through our teaching in schools, health care institutions, parishes, and social services:
~ Spirit of Wisdom, keep us close to you, the fountain of truth.
As seekers of justice, we cry out against the pain and suffering inflicted by the forces of greed and corruption:
~ Jesus, the voice of justice, give us the courage to raise our voices for those who cannot speak.
As people who have seen a great Light, we long for your presence:
~ Christ our Light, be with us always.
PRAYER
Loving God, you sent your son Jesus to earth to fulfill the promises of long ago. Be with us this night as we unite ourselves with the longings of your people through countless ages. May we one day be conformed to the blessed image of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen