Evening Prayer Thursday, 17 December 2020

A reading from the letter to the Hebrews

¹ In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. ³ The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. ⁴ So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Hebrews 1: 1–4

Dear God, we thank you for the words of your prophets,
who have spoken to your people throughout the ages.
May we continue to learn of your will for us
by listening attentively to your words spoken by the prophets.
But above all, we thank you for the gift of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
We thank you that now you speak to us through the words of Jesus.
He speaks directly to us in stories and parables, but above all by his actions:
healing the sick and afflicted, feeding the hungry, forgiving penitent sinners,
bringing his love and compassion to the marginalised in society.

With all his divine glory and his sustaining power,
Jesus still calls each one of us to be his friend, follower and disciple.
He offers to cleanse us of all our sins, and all we have to do is turn and follow him,
and through our life show to all our neighbours something of the love of God.
We pray that you will give us the strength and perseverance
to continue as faithful followers of your Son,
however hard and steep the road may be,
whatever difficulties and adversity we may have to face in these uncertain times.

We thank you, Lord Jesus, for your Church,
that fellowship of believers that encourage and support one another.
We thank you for the opportunities for fellowship and learning in our Advent groups.
We thank you that throughout this Advent
we have been stimulated, provoked and encouraged
by the Meditations offered by our Presidents Sunday by Sunday.

We pray for all those doctors, nurses and health-care professionals
who are working so hard to get the Covid-19 vaccine to all who need it.
We pray, too, for all the efforts that are being taken to reduce the spread of the virus
at this most crucial time.

Dear Lord, we pray for your love and protection for all those
for whom this time of year is not a joyous occasion,
For all those who mourn the loss of loved ones
and those who worry about how their nearest and dearest
will be able to cope in these challenging times;
for all those with a real fear of losing their jobs, their livelihoods and their homes.

Amen

So we say the Grace to one another, whether together or far apart:

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all, evermore.

Amen

All night, all day, angels watching over me my Lord;
All night, all day, angels watching over me.

Now I lay me down to sleep, O Lord,
angels watching over me my Lord,
pray the Lord my soul to keep,
angels watching over me.

All night, all day, angels watching over me my Lord;
All night, all day, angels watching over me.

Robin & Pat Kyd