Evening Prayer Jan. 12

photo © Adrian van Leen for openphoto.net CC:PublicDomain


Praying is hard. Our flesh does not want to do it. Epahras is said by the Apostle Paul to be "wrestling in prayer" in Colossians 4:2-13. Prayer is hard work! We often may think it is a waste of time. Prayer involves battling our natural resistance and seeking to connect with the Almighty. I appreciate this article One Reason for Prayer for I think it hits on our struggles with prayer.

Let Us Pray

I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Isaiah 49:6b

INVOCATION AND CONFESSION

O God, make speed to save us
O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

[In your own words confess your sins to God]


Declaration of Forgiveness

1 John 2:1-2 (GOD'S WORD translation)
My dear children, I'm writing this to you so that you will not sin. Yet, if anyone does sin, we have Jesus Christ, who has God's full approval. He speaks on our behalf when we come into the presence of the Father. He is the payment for our sins, and not only for our sins, but also for the sins of the whole world.

O Gracious Light Phos hilaron

O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing thy praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Thou art worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life, and to be glorified though all the worlds.

[In your own words give God praise, thanks and adoration]

PSALM OF THE DAY

Psalm 10:16-18

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.


OLD TESTAMENT READING

Genesis 27

The Word of the Lord! Thanks be to God.

Silence may be kept after the Reading where you may wish to meditate on the text

MARY'S SONG

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

NEW TESTAMENT READING

Matthew 9:9-17

The Word of the Lord! Thanks be to God.

Silence may be kept after the Reading where you may wish to meditate on the text

SIMEON'S SONG

Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

THE APOSTLES CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth;
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy universal Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.


Prayer for the Week

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

[In your own words pray for a deeper relationship with God for yourself, your loved ones and your Church]


Prayer for Gaza

Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide those involved in the conflict in Gaza into the way of justice and truth. Stop Hamas from making terror attacks. Guide Israel to not hit civilian targets. We lift up to you our Christian brothers and sisters in Gaza that you will protect them from harm and also protect all civilians on both sides of the conflict. Bring peace in such a way that all sides will acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Amen.

[Here you may in you own words pray for the conflict]

Prayer for Comfort

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give thine angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for they love's sake Amen

[Pray for others and yourself here ]


BENEDICTION
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14