Daily Prayers Wednesday, 22 December 2021
Good morning, Cornerstone friends. We are but a few days before Christmas.
I hope you have all your preparations completed or organised well. I wish I had completed all mine!
Alleluia. Give praise, you servants of the Lord,
O praise the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
from this time forth for evermore.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
let the name of the Lord be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations
and his glory above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God,
that has his throne so high,
yet humbles himself to behold
the things of heaven and earth?
He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ashes,
to set them with princes,
with princes of his people.
He gives the barren woman a place in the house
and makes her a joyful mother of children.
Psalm 113
From the rising of the sun to its setting we praise your name, O Lord;
may your promise to raise the poor from the dust
and turn the fortunes of the needy upside down be fulfilled in our time also,
as it was with your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looks with favour
upon the lowliness of his servant.
Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his descendants for ever.’
And Mary remained with her [Elizabeth her cousin, wife of Zechariah and mother of John the Baptist] for about three months and then returned to her home.
Luke 1: 46–56
A very familiar gospel reading with the song of praise regularly used by the church and known as
the Magnificat. We have a version in a popular hymn, ‘Tell out my soul the greatness of the Lord’. Ernesto preached on this prayer of Mary. It follows her submission to the will of God following the message from Gabriel. She has met her cousin, Elizabeth and is now able to offer this confident declaration.
Our prayer for the church today is an Advent collect that we might have such confidence:
O Lord, raise up we pray, your power and come among us, and with great might succour us;
that whereas, through our sins and wickedness we are grievously hindered in running the race that is set before us,
your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help us to complete your true purpose for us;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
Amen
Most of us will be well provided for this Christmas. There are millions who are not so fortunate; those living in areas of conflict or with the fear that it could come upon them soon, those living in areas affected by long drought such as the parts East Africa in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia. There are others like those in The Philippines who are affected by floods and violent storms and many live in places where people are persecuted or suffering because of religious or political affiliations or of their gender or ethnicity.
At this season of peace and goodwill let us pray for all who do not have the benefit of either at this time.
Can I add a specific local example; on Monday I talked to a lady in reception, a single mother who had support from her mother. Her mother is now infirm and cannot offer such support, and right now she has to grieve for the loss of her only child who has died. Please of your mercy remember ‘Ms Y’ and those like her this Christmas.
Heavenly Father, at the coming of our Saviour into the world,
children in Judea suffered, though they had done no wrong;
we ask for your merciful salvation for all innocent people suffering in your world today.
Move in the hearts of all to frustrate any evil design and bring in your reign of justice and peace for all,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Today marks the point in the year when days begin to lengthen.
From the rising of the sun to its setting let the name of the Lord be praised in all our hearts today.
Don Head
