"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
grant that we may be ready
to receive Christ when he comes in glory
and to share in the banquet of heaven,
where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Daily Meditation
We reflect today on a promise of a day full of hope
of plenty, of peace. We ask for the grace to be open,
to respond to whatever the Lord is offering us in these precious days
of preparation and anticipation.
No matter how difficult our situation, we can trust in the Lord;
we can eat and be satisfied.
I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
On that day it will be said:
“Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the LORD for whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
Intercessions
The Word of God humbled himself to dwell with us so
that we might see his glory. Rejoicing in hope, let us call
upon him:
Emmanuel, be with us.
Ruler, just and righteous,
- bring justice to the poor and the oppressed.
King of peace, you beat swords into plowshares and spears
into pruning hooks,
- turn hatred into love and our grievances into forgiveness.
You do not judge by appearances,
- recognize those who are your own.
When you come with power and might upon the clouds,
- grant that we may come before you without shame.
Closing Prayer
Lord of all,
you are a God of plenty, a Lord who provides
for us in our need.
As I begin these early days of Advent
help me to believe that you know what I need.
Give me the courage to listen to your voice
and the freedom
to open my heart to the graces you are
offering me to place my trust in you.
May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.