December 8
Evening Prayer for the Sundays of Advent: from Daily Prayer for All Seasons and Prayer as Night Falls: Experiencing Compline
Opening
Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord. Psalm 31:24
Prayer
Holy One, whose coming we await,
we lift our hearts to you:
Remind us of your faithfulness,
that we may trust ever more deeply in your grace.
We set down the tasks of the day
so that we may arise renewed,
to love and serve you. Amen.
Praise
The Song of Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-2,8)
My heart exults in you, O God; *
My triumph song is lifted in you.
For I rejoice in your salvation: *
There is none holy like you.
God raises the poor from the dust; *
And lifts the needy from the ash heap
To make them sit with the rulers *
and inherit a place of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are God’s *
on which the whole earth is founded.
Scripture
Daily Office Lectionary Readings:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Isaiah 61:1-2a 18
Meditation
A Reflection on Finding your Way: What To Do in the Darkness
Go slowly
Consent to it
But don’t wallow in it
Know it as a place of germination
And growth
Remember the light
Take an outstretched hand if you find one
Exercise unused senses
Find the path by walking in it
Practice trust
Watch for dawn
–Marilyn Chandler McEntyre
Prayers
God of grace and hope:
Help us to move from fear to trust.
Your grace surrounds and fills us:
Remind us that you provide all we need.
Your healing love is offered to all:
Intercessions
We pray for those in formation with the St. Phoebe School; for those seeking and discerning; and for all deacons in their lives, work, and ministries bridging the Church and the world.
May we be full of peace in our waiting
And full of joy in our praise of you. Amen.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Prayer
Merciful God of peace, your word, spoken by the prophets, restores your people’s life and hope: Fill our hearts with the joy of your saving grace, that we may hold fast to your great goodness and proclaim your justice in all the world. Amen.
Closing
Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord. Psalm 31:24
Virtual Chapel of St. Phoebe 