Said or sung all together except for the sentences marked ‘Call’ which are for the Leader only.
+ indicates that you may make the sign of the cross.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than those
who watch for the morning,
more than those
who watch for the morning.
Response: O Lord, hear my voice.
Call: With my whole heart I want to praise You.
Response: O Lord, hear my voice.
Call: If you, Lord, should mark iniquities:
Response: Who could stand? who could stand?
and in His word do I hope.
Lord, You have always given
bread for the coming day;
and though I am poor,
today I believe.
strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak,
today I believe.
peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart,
today I believe.
me safe in trials;
and now, tried as I am,
today I believe.
the road for the coming day;
and though it may be hidden,
today I believe.
this darkness of mine;
and though the night is here,
today I believe.
when time was ripe;
and though you be silent now,
today I believe.
Today’s Scripture Reading
21 December
Psalm 40:1,5 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.
Hosea 2:14-15 Therefore, I will now persuade her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. From there I will give her her vineyards, and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she shall respond as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt.
Matthew 13:31-32, 44 He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’ ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
These Scripture Readings relate to the Aidan Readings (Deeper Life) in Celtic Daily Prayer 1
Today’s Meditation
Listen to your life.
See it for the fathomless mystery that it is.
In the boredom and pain of it
no less than in the excitement and gladness:
touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it
because in the last analysis all moments are key moments,
and life itself is grace.
Frederick Buechner
Prayers for others
In the shadow of Your wings
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the refuge of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
one thing I seek;
to dwell in the presence of my God,
to gaze on Your holy place.
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
of the Lord in the land of the living.
O wait for the Lord!
Have courage and wait,
wait for the Lord.
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
See that ye be at peace among yourselves, my children,
and love one another.
Follow the example of the wise and good
and God will comfort you and help you,
both in this world
and in the world which is to come.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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