from Daily Prayer for All Seasons
Morning Prayer for Advent (Daily Prayer for All Seasons)
As we begin the day, we focus on our calling to live faithfully, for who knows what today holds?
Opening
God’s bright glory will shine, and everyone will see it. Isaiah 40:5
Prayer
O Holy One, thank you for coming to us anew this day.
Prepare our hearts and reawaken our love for you as we discern your call within us.
May we join with you in making level the path for all people. Amen.
Praise
Scripture
Amos 5:18-24
Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord!
Why do you want the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, not light;
as if someone fled from a lion,
and was met by a bear;
or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall,
and was bitten by a snake.
Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light,
and gloom with no brightness in it?
I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt-offerings and grain-offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
I will not look upon.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Meditation
“Life in a prison cell may well be compared to Advent; one waits, hopes, and does this, that, or the other- things that are of no real consequence- the door is shut, and can be opened only from the outside.”
― Dietrech Bonhoeffer, Letters from Prison – November 21, 1943
Affirmation
We believe in God, Creator of all:
The two-legged, the four-legged, the winged ones,
and those that crawl upon the earth and swim in the waters.
We believe in God, One Who Walked with Us:
Our Brother Jesus born in humility,
who lived and died for us
and who will come again to bring us to glory.
We believe in God, Spirit with Us:
Ever present and ever guiding, upholding us
and showing us the principles to live by.
We hear God’s voice through the prophets.
Creator, One Who Walked with Us, Spirit with Us, Holy One:
We are named in the waters of baptism as your own,
all of us related, all of us your children.
We watch for signs of your homecoming
and thank you for this sacred circle of life. Amen.
Prayers
In the beginning, it is dark, cool, and quiet, and we ask you:
Invite us into your presence, O Christ.
We do not know your works, Holy One, yet still we ask you:
Invite us into your presence, O Christ.
We look to the rising sun and trust that you
Invite us into your presence, O Christ.
Intercessions
We name our prayers and intercessions, either silently or aloud
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.
You are our Shepherd, and we need nothing more.
We rejoice in your presence with us in all of creation. 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
God of hope, you call us from the exile of our sin with the good news of restoration; you build a highway through the wilderness; you come to us to bring us home. Comfort us with the expectation of your saving power, made known in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Going Out
God’s bright glory will shine, and everyone will see it.
Virtual Chapel of St. Phoebe 