Saturday, December 3, 2011

Devotion for Saturday/Sunday: readings and prayers from The Liturgy of the Hours

First Week of Advent: Saturday morning reading and prayer:
Isaiah 11:1-5:  A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and His delight shall be the fear of the Lord. Not by appearances shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall stay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.

Prayer: God our Father, you loved the world so much you gave your only Son to free us from the ancient power of sin and death. Help us who wait for his coming, and lead us to true liberty. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

Second Sunday of Advent: Evening Prayer I (to be said Saturday night)
I Thessalonians 5:19-24: Do not stifle the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test everything: retain what is good. Avoid any semblance of evil. May the God of peace make you perfect in holiness. May he preserve you whole and entire, spirit, soul, and body, irreproachable at the coming our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls us is trustworthy, therefore he will do it.

Prayer: Father in Heaven, the day draws near when the glory of your son will make radiant the night of the waiting world. May the lure of greed not impede us from the joy which moves the hearts of those who seek him. May the darkness not blind us to the vision of wisdom which fills the minds of those who find him. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Second Sunday of Advent: Morning Prayer
Romans 13:11-14: It is now the hour for you to wake from sleep, for our salvation is closer than when we first accepted the faith. The night is far spent; the day draws near. Let us cast off deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us live honorably as in daylight; not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual excess and lust, not in quarrelling and jealousy. Rather, put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
Prayer: God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Evening Prayer II (to be said Sunday evening)
Philippians 4:4-7: Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again. Rejoice! Everyone should see how unselfish you are. The Lord is near. Dismiss all anxiety from your minds. Present your needs to God in every form of prayer and in petitions full of gratitude. Then God’s own peace, which is beyond all understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and minds, in Christ Jesus.

Intercessions: To Christ the Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, let us pray with joyful hearts:
Come, Lord Jesus!
Lord Jesus, in the mystery of your incarnation, you revealed your glory to the world, give new life by your coming, we pray to the Lord, Come…
You have taken our weakness upon yourself, grant us your mercy, we pray to the Lord, Come…
You redeemed the world from sin by your first coming in humility, free us from all guilt when you come again in glory, we pray to the Lord, Come…
You live and rule over all, in your goodness bring us to our eternal inheritance, we pray to the Lord, Come…
You sit at the right hand of the Father, gladden the souls of the dead with your light, we pray to the Lord, Come…   Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name….
Christmas Novena - 15 times a day until Christmas! 

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment
At which the Son of God was born
Of a most pure Virgin
At a stable at midnight in Bethlehem
In the piercing cold
At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee,
To hear my prayers and grant my desires
(mention request here). 
Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother.


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