Malachi 3:1-5, 4:1-6 – God’s Promise Through Malachi
Lord Jesus, Light of the world,
take away our darkness, forgive our sins.
Make us children of light;
and banish from us the deeds of darkness,
that we may bear your radiant light
in a world waiting for the dawn of your Kingdom,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
(GL)
Luke 1:26-38 – God’s promise to Mary
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on 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 to his descendants forever.”
Matthew 3:1-6 – John the Baptist
Almighty God,
we thank you for our fellowship in the household of faith
with all who have been baptised into your name.
Keep us faithful to our baptism,
and so make us ready for that day
when the whole creation shall be made perfect in your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
(From the Baptism Service)
Deuteronomy 5:1-32 – Moses and the Law
God of Moses and Aaron,
you gave the law to your servant Moses
and fulfilled the same in your Son.
Write your law on our hearts
and make us more than hearers of your law
that we may delight in your commands
and rejoice in your Word, made flesh in Jesus Christ.
Amen.
1 Kings 3:3 – 14: God’s Creative Wisdom
Almighty God,
you kindled the light of your Spirit
in the hearts of your faithful people;
may we by the same Spirit
have a right judgement in all things,
and evermore rejoice in your love and power;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.
(CW Collect of Pentecost)
Isaiah 11:1-5 – The Stock of Jesse
God of Jesse and Father of our Saviour Jesus,
give us wisdom to perceive you,
diligence to seek you,
patience to wait for you,
eyes to behold you,
a heart to meditate upon you
through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
(Adapted from a prayer attributed to St Benedict)
Isaiah 35:1-10 – God’s promise through the prophets
My God,
may I so know you and love you
that I may rejoice in you.
And if I may not do so fully in this life
let me go steadily on to the day
when I come to that fullness.
May I receive what you have promised
through your truth,
that my joy may be full.
Amen.
(A Prayer of Anselm)
Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 – Habakkuk’s Complaint – and God’s reply
O Lord our God,
make us watchful and keep us faithful
as we await the coming of your Son our Lord;
that, when he shall appear,
he may not find us sleeping
but active in his service
and joyful in his praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
(Post Communion 1st Sunday of Advent CW)
2 Chronicles 36:11-21 – Defeat and Exile
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Maker of all things, judge of all men:
we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness,
which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed,
by thought, word and deed.
Have mercy upon us, most merciful father;
for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may ever hereafter
serve and please thee in newness of life,
to the honour and glory of thy name.
Amen.
(Adapted Book of Common Prayer)
