Advent 2009 - 4th Wednesday

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer
Father,
we contemplate the birth of your Son.
He was born of the Virgin Mary
and came to live among us.
May we receive forgiveness and mercy
through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Daily Meditation
Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name,"
and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
and he spoke blessing God.
When Zechariah could say "John," that is, "God is Gracious,"
he was freed to give thanks and praise to God.

Let's each of us express our gratitude to our God
for coming to be with us, for forgiving our sins,
for saving us from the power of death.
Let's ask that we might be purified of all self-love
that we might receive his coming to us this week.

But who will endure the day of his coming?
And who can stand when he appears?
For he is like the refiner's fire,
or like the fuller's lye. Mal. 3

Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.

Intercessions
To God our Father who sent his Son to save mankind:
Show us your mercy, Lord.

Father most merciful, we confess our faith in your Christ with our words,
- keep us from denying him in our actions.

You have sent your Son to rescue us,
- remove every sorrow from the face of the earth and from our country.

Our land looks forward with delight at the approach of your Son,
- let it experience the fullness of your joy.

Through your mercy make us live holy and chaste lives in this world,
-eagerly awaiting the blessed hope and coming of Christ in glory.

O EMMANUEL,
God with us,
Our King and Lawgiver,
the expected of the nations and their Saviour:
Come to save us, O Lord our God

Closing Prayer
Oh, Emmanuel,
"God-with-Us,"
You have touched me;
you are God-with-Me.

Thank you for these weeks of prayer.
In the spirit of the season
my waiting, my patience,
feels sacred.

Refine and purify my heart
with the hottest flame of your love.
Give me the courage of your prophets
and let me do what is right
even when others don't understand.

Bless my heart with generosity
and make me ready to receive you.

Come, Lord Jesus! Come!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.