PRAYERS FOR FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

PRAYERS FOR FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS 

Isaiah 63:7-9

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

God’s Mercy Remembered

7 I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,

    the praiseworthy acts of the Lord,

because of all that the Lord has done for us,

    and the great favor to the house of Israel

that he has shown them according to his mercy,

    according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

8 For he said, “Surely they are my people,

    children who will not deal falsely”;

and he became their savior

9     in all their distress.

It was no messenger or angel

    but his presence that saved them;

in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;

    he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

We praise you

O God

for being a presence in our lives

not just a song in the night

We have been seduced before

by fly-by-night choirs

of happiness and success

with no down payment

and easy terms

You came as a Babe

but you died as a thief

from a manger in Bethlehem

to a cross up on Calvary

You came not as a burden 

for us to suffer 

but one who would carry our burdens

upon your broad shoulders 

You came not to condemn us

because of our sins

but to cleanse us our stains

to be whiter than snow

You came not to scorn us

as pitiful ornery children

but love us unreservedly

as your sons and daughters 

We praise you

O God

for being a presence in our lives

not just a song in the night

Hallelujah 

Amen

Matthew 2:13-23

13 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.” 14 Then Joseph[a] got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

The Massacre of the Infants

16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men,[b] he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men.[c] 17 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,

    wailing and loud lamentation,

Rachel weeping for her children;

    she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”

Can you hear her

Can you hear Rachel

weeping for her children?

The cupboard is bare

The pantry is empty

nothing to put on their plates

to fill their bellies

The closet is free

of shirts and skirts

void of anything new

to dress her children

Can you hear her

Can you hear Rachel

weeping for her children?

The ER is full and crowded

as she holds her baby

sick and crying

in need of care and healing

The shelter is cold and noisy

full of other

mothers and children 

with no where to lay their heads

Can you hear her

Can you hear Rachel

weeping for her children?

Wall Street cannot hear

for all the shouting and buying

Walmart cannot hear 

for all the shouting and buying

Amazon cannot hear

for all the clicking and buying

Best Buy cannot hear

for all the clicking and buying

Can you hear her

Can you hear Rachel

weeping for her children?

Forgive us Lord Jesus

and give us ears to hear

and eyes to see

To hear the hungry children's cry

and feed them

To see the the ill clad children

and clothe them

To hear the sick children

and heal them

To see the homeless children

and house them

Can you hear her

Can you hear Rachel

weeping for her children?

Help us Lord Jesus

To hear them

To love them

To care for them

To hear and love and care

for Rachel's children

for all God's children

Amen

 

 

PRAYERS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE OT

PRAYERS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE  OT

Isaiah 9:2-7

2 The people who walked in darkness

    have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

    on them light has shined.

3 You have multiplied the nation,

    you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

    as with joy at the harvest,

    as people exult when dividing plunder.

4 For the yoke of their burden,

    and the bar across their shoulders,

    the rod of their oppressor,

    you have broken as on the day of Midian.

5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors

    and all the garments rolled in blood

    shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

6 For a child has been born for us,

    a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders;

    and he is named

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 His authority shall grow continually,

    and there shall be endless peace

for the throne of David and his kingdom.

    He will establish and uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

    from this time onward and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Come, O come

Wonderful Counselor

Shine your light upon us

for we dwell in a land of darkness

We seek the the light of truth

in a world darkened by lies

Everywhere we turn 

Shadows of falsehood 

lie upon our path

Shine upon us

so we may walk in your ways

and follow your wisdom

to light and life

Come, O come

Mighty God

Shine your light upon us

for we dwell in a land of darkness

We seek your Holy Light

in a dark and pagan world

where the gods of wealth and greed

that consume our hearts and minds

hiding treasures where thieves break in

Shine down upon us

that we may give of our bounty

so that the hungry may feast

and the homeless be warm

Come, O come

Everlasting Father

Shine your light upon us

for we dwell in a land of darkness

We search for justice

in a time when evil sometimes triumphs

and good is trodden underfoot

where the innocent are persecuted

and the righteous are abandoned

Shine down the glory of The Lord

so that the prisoners will go free

the oppressed know liberation

and the bells of justice ring

Come, O come

Prince of Peace

Shine your light upon us

for we dwell in a land of darkness

We cower amidst war and destruction

where widow and orphan

hide in fear

and the bullet and the bomb

fall down upon so many 

Shine down the light of Shalom

so that the bow may be broken

and the sword turned into plows

and we shall learn war

nevermore

Come, O come

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Shine your light upon us

Amen

NT

Luke 2:8-20

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,[b] praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”[c]

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Sing angels sing

Sing of the Good News

that the Christ has come

We have been waiting

on hillside and country lane

city street and rustic highway

Waiting to hear the Good News

to hear that our long night is over 

that the child born in the night 

breaks the darkness with glorious light

Sing angels sing

Sing of the Good News

that the Christ has come

Sing the Glory of God

Help us lift our voices

to join the heavenly chorus 

singing praise to our God

The God who lifts the lowly 

and bends the mighty

feeds those who hunger

and gives sight to the blind

Sing angels sing

Sing of the Good News

that the Christ has come

Sing a song of Peace

Quiet the guns

still the sounds of war

and build highways of joy

O Prince of Peace

reign in our hearts

and dwell in our souls 

so we may be brothers and sisters

to all

Sing angels sing

Sing of the Good News

that the Christ has come

Hallelujah 

Amen

PRAYERS FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

PRAYERS FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Psalm 80

3 Restore us, O God;

    let your face shine, that we may be saved.

4 O Lord God of hosts,

    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

5 You have fed them with the bread of tears,

    and given them tears to drink in full measure.

6 You make us the scorn[a] of our neighbors;

    our enemies laugh among themselves.

7 Restore us, O God of hosts;

    let your face shine, that we may be saved.

O Lord God of hosts,

    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

Didn't you hear our prayer

O God

We worked hard on it

Choosing  just the right words

Make it eloquent and thoughtful

We hear so much gibberish

Mangled words and jumbled phrases

Strung together 

without cadence or harmony

Doggerel mushed into lines

O Lord God of hosts,

    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

Didn't you hear our prayer

O God

We included everyone on the list

All the sick and shut-ins

The grieving and the mournful

There is a lot to pray for

This war and that uprising

So many poor and homeless

Refugees just stumbling all about

Empty pantries and overflowing shelters

O Lord God of hosts,

    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

Didn't you hear our prayer

O God

We tried not to ask for too much

Just health and happiness

Safety and success

It's a cold world out there

Everything going to hell in a hand basket

We just want to hold on

Have you bless and protect us

Keep us from the devil at our doorstep 

O Lord God of hosts,

    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

Forgive us Loving God

when we place more importance on 

our words not on your Word

embodied in your Son

Jesus the Christ

Forgive us loving God

when we raise up in prayer

getting lost the liturgy 

and forgetting the meaning 

and privilege of your presence 

Forgive us Loving God

for relying on our our strength

calling attention to ourselves 

and not waiting or willing

for the Spirit to interceded for us

Forgive us Loving God

and teach us to pray

with humble hearts

quiet listening 

and patience to hear

Amen

NT

Matthew 1:23-25

23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

    and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son;and he named him Jesus.

You have come

Emmanuel 

God with us

You come into our lives

Messy and miserable

Confused and chaotic 

Not knowing where to go

nor what to do

You come

to give us direction

to show us the way

from the wilderness

to cross the Jordan

You have come

Emmanuel 

God with us

You come into our lives 

Scarred and stumped

Abused and torn from the anchor

tossed upon the storms

with no light from the shore

You come

to steer us straight

show the way

amidst the tempest 

to safe harbor  

You have come

Emmanuel 

God with us

You come into our lives

as we seek shelter 

from the violence 

running from bomb and bullet

death and destruction

You come 

To bring us Shalom

peace between nations 

praying for enemies

restoring us with your salvation

You have come

Emmanuel 

God with us

You come into our lives

in our loneliest moments

times of grief

and great loss

bereft of solace or contentment

You come

to bear our burdens

dry our tears

comfort us 

in our hour of need

You have come

Emmanuel 

God with us

Hallelujah 

Amen

3 Restore us, O God;

    let your face shine, that we may be saved.

4 O Lord God of hosts,

    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

5 You have fed them with the bread of tears,

    and given them tears to drink in full measure.

6 You make us the scorn[a] of our neighbors;

    our enemies laugh among themselves.

7 Restore us, O God of hosts;

    let your face shine, that we may be saved.

O Lord God of hosts,

    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

Didn't you hear our prayer

O God

We worked hard on it

Choosing  just the right words

Make it eloquent and thoughtful

We hear so much gibberish

Mangled words and jumbled phrases

Strung together 

without cadence or harmony

Doggerel mushed into lines

O Lord God of hosts,

    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

Didn't you hear our prayer

O God

We included everyone on the list

All the sick and shut-ins

The grieving and the mournful

There is a lot to pray for

This war and that uprising

So many poor and homeless

Refugees just stumbling all about

Empty pantries and overflowing shelters

O Lord God of hosts,

    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

Didn't you hear our prayer

O God

We tried not to ask for too much

Just health and happiness

Safety and success

It's a cold world out there

Everything going to hell in a hand basket

We just want to hold on

Have you bless and protect us

Keep us from the devil at our doorstep 

O Lord God of hosts,

    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

Forgive us Loving God

when we place more importance on 

our words not on your Word

embodied in your Son

Jesus the Christ

Forgive us loving God

when we raise up in prayer

getting lost the liturgy 

and forgetting the meaning 

and privilege of your presence 

Forgive us Loving God

for relying on our our strength

calling attention to ourselves 

and not waiting or willing

for the Spirit to interceded for us

Forgive us Loving God

and teach us to pray

with humble hearts

quiet listening 

and patience to hear

Amen

NT

Matthew 1:23-25 

23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

    and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son;and he named him Jesus.

You have come

Emmanuel 

God with us

You come into our lives

Messy and miserable

Confused and chaotic 

Not knowing where to go

nor what to do

You come

to give us direction

to show us the way

from the wilderness

to cross the Jordan

You have come

Emmanuel 

God with us

You come into our lives 

Scarred and stumped

Abused and torn from the anchor

tossed upon the storms

with no light from the shore

You come

to steer us straight

show the way

amidst the tempest 

to safe harbor  

You have come

Emmanuel 

God with us

You come into our lives

as we seek shelter 

from the violence 

running from bomb and bullet

death and destruction

You come 

To bring us Shalom

peace between nations 

praying for enemies

restoring us with your salvation

You have come

Emmanuel 

God with us

You come into our lives

in our loneliest moments

times of grief

and great loss

bereft of solace or contentment

You come

to bear our burdens

dry our tears

comfort us 

in our hour of need

You have come

Emmanuel 

God with us

Hallelujah 

Amen

3 Restore us, O God;

    let your face shine, that we may be saved.

4 O Lord God of hosts,

    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

5 You have fed them with the bread of tears,

    and given them tears to drink in full measure.

6 You make us the scorn[a] of our neighbors;

    our enemies laugh among themselves.

7 Restore us, O God of hosts;

    let your face shine, that we may be saved.

O Lord God of hosts,

    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

Didn't you hear our prayer

O God

We worked hard on it

Choosing  just the right words

Make it eloquent and thoughtful

We hear so much gibberish

Mangled words and jumbled phrases

Strung together 

without cadence or harmony

Doggerel mushed into lines

O Lord God of hosts,

    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

Didn't you hear our prayer

O God

We included everyone on the list

All the sick and shut-ins

The grieving and the mournful

There is a lot to pray for

This war and that uprising

So many poor and homeless

Refugees just stumbling all about

Empty pantries and overflowing shelters

O Lord God of hosts,

    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

Didn't you hear our prayer

O God

We tried not to ask for too much

Just health and happiness

Safety and success

It's a cold world out there

Everything going to hell in a hand basket

We just want to hold on

Have you bless and protect us

Keep us from the devil at our doorstep 

O Lord God of hosts,

    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

Forgive us Loving God

when we place more importance on 

our words not on your Word

embodied in your Son

Jesus the Christ

Forgive us loving God

when we raise up in prayer

getting lost the liturgy 

and forgetting the meaning 

and privilege of your presence 

Forgive us Loving God

for relying on our our strength

calling attention to ourselves 

and not waiting or willing

for the Spirit to interceded for us

Forgive us Loving God

and teach us to pray

with humble hearts

quiet listening 

and patience to hear

Amen

NT

Matthew 1:23-25 

23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

    and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son;and he named him Jesus.

You have come

Emmanuel 

God with us

You come into our lives

Messy and miserable

Confused and chaotic 

Not knowing where to go

nor what to do

You come

to give us direction

to show us the way

from the wilderness

to cross the Jordan

You have come

Emmanuel 

God with us

You come into our lives 

Scarred and stumped

Abused and torn from the anchor

tossed upon the storms

with no light from the shore

You come

to steer us straight

show the way

amidst the tempest 

to safe harbor  

You have come

Emmanuel 

God with us

You come into our lives

as we seek shelter 

from the violence 

running from bomb and bullet

death and destruction

You come 

To bring us Shalom

peace between nations 

praying for enemies

restoring us with your salvation

You have come

Emmanuel 

God with us

You come into our lives

in our loneliest moments

times of grief

and great loss

bereft of solace or contentment

You come

to bear our burdens

dry our tears

comfort us 

in our hour of need

You have come

Emmanuel 

God with us

Hallelujah 

Amen

PRAYERS FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

A PRAYER FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

OT

Psalm 146

1 Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord, O my soul!

2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live;

    I will sing praises to my God all my life long.

3 Do not put your trust in princes,

    in mortals, in whom there is no help.

4 When their breath departs, they return to the earth;

    on that very day their plans perish.

5 Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

    whose hope is in the Lord their God,

6 who made heaven and earth,

    the sea, and all that is in them;

who keeps faith forever;

7     who executes justice for the oppressed;

    who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free;

8     the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.

The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;

    the Lord loves the righteous.

9 The Lord watches over the strangers;

    he upholds the orphan and the widow,

    but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

10 The Lord will reign forever,

    your God, O Zion, for all generations.

Praise the Lord!

Forgive us, Lord Jesus

for we put our trust in princes

in ourselves

We believe our talents are unlimited 

We can conquer anything  

overcome anything  

accomplish anything  

The sky is our limit

Forgive us, Lord Jesus

for we put our trust in princes

in ourselves

We believe we are entitled 

We can have everything 

have all we want

have it right now

Our appetites are voracious 

Forgive us, Lord Jesus

for we put our trust in princes

in ourselves

We believe we are invulnerable  

We can defeat any disease

out run old age

cure whatever ails us

The odds are always in our favor

Forgive us, Lord Jesus

for we put our trust in princes

in ourselves

Praise You

O God of the oceans and the skies

for you come to give us hope

and life abundant 

Praise You

O God of the hungry and homeless 

for you give them food to eat

and shelter from the cold

Praise You

O God of the oppressed and captives

for you set the prisoner free

and break the chains of the slaves

Praise You

O God

Creator

Sustainer

Liberator

Amen

A PRAYER FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

NT

Matthew 11:2-11

2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah[a] was doing, he sent word by his[b] disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers[c] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

We praise you

Jesus of Nazareth 

Our Messiah who comes

to give sight to the blind

So many of us cannot see

the dawn in the morning

the smiles of our children

the tears of our parents

Bless you

Messiah Jesus

for opening our eyes

to see life around us

We praise you

Jesus of Nazareth 

Our Messiah who comes

to strengthen legs so the lame may walk 

So many of us cannot rise from our beds 

traverse around our homes

stroll about our yards and gardens

sit up to embrace our loved ones

Bless you

Messiah Jesus

for lifting us from our beds

to walk into the joy of life

 

We praise you

Jesus of Nazareth 

Our Messiah who comes

to allow the deaf to hear

So many of us cannot hear the sounds

of children singing 

of birds chirping

of life exploding around us

Bless you

Messiah Jesus

for opening our ears

to hear life around us

We praise you

Jesus of Nazareth 

Our Messiah who comes

to preach good news to the poor

So many of us hover in the shadows

our bellies are empty

our legs and arms are bare

our spirits are despondent

Bless you

Messiah Jesus

for preaching to us the good news

so we may embrace life around us

We praise you

Jesus of Nazareth 

Our Messiah who comes

so that

"the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers[c] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them."

Amen

 

 

A PRAYER FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT OT

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT  OT

Isaiah 11:1-10

11 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,

    and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,

    the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

    the spirit of counsel and might,

    the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

3 His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see,

    or decide by what his ears hear;

4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,

    and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;

he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,

    and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.

5 Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,

Come O Spirit of The Lord 

Rest upon a weary people

and bring us a spirit of wisdom and understanding

We are a people who look and see not

We see the bright lights of success and riches

not the hungry and homeless

We hear the praise and clamor of work and play

not the cry of the widow or the orphan

Come You who judge not by sight 

but by justice

who will fill the bellies of those who hunger

and give all who need shelter a safe home

Come O Spirit of The Lord 

Rest upon a weary people

and bring us a spirit of counsel and might

We are a people who listen but hear not

We arm ourselves as persons and nations

against enemies real and perceived

We are more ready to take life than give it

more willing to conquer than encourage

Come You who judge not by hearing 

but by shalom

who will break the bow and sword

and teach the ways of peace

Come O Spirit of The Lord 

Rest upon a weary people

and bring us a spirit of knowledge 

and the fear of the Lord.

We are a people who know only ourselves

We fear only getting what we have not

and using any means to obtain it

We boast that we fear no one or nothing

puffing our chests in false bravado

Come You who judge not by idol worship  

but by fear of The Lord

who will instruct us in God's ways

and show us the paths of righteousness

Come O Spirit of God

Bring us the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

  the spirit of counsel and might,

    the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

Amen

A PRAYER FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT OT

A PRAYER FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT OT

Matthew 3:7-12

7 But when he(John) saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9 Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize you with[b] water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

We confess, Lord Jesus

We are but barren branches 

on a tree 

dying in the orchard

rotten fruit falling to the ground

You planted us to yield 

a living and loving life

that would pollinate many 

peoples and places 

growing and thriving

Instead our branches bear

only thorns and thistles

full of anxiousness and

self-centered ness

without flower or seed

Swing your ax

down upon us

to clear your orchard

of dead trees

and wasted space

We confess, Lord Jesus

We are no more than chaff

laying on the threshing floor

gleaned from the scythe

from the field at harvest

You planted us in your fields

to become the stewards

of your creation

Nurture and protect 

our earth and its inhabitants 

Rather we rot upon the vine

feeding only vultures

to hover over and devour

our oceans and plains

deer and lamb

Pitch into us your winnowing fork

and clear away spoilage

that corrupts everything 

and everyone

we touch and see

Forgive us

and redeem us

Christ Jesus

that we may flower and grow

bear fruit as your followers 

and feed all those who hunger

  

Forgive us

and redeem us

Christ Jesus

that we may bring forth

an abundant harvest

of justice and peace

Amen