Prayer for 21 January 2020

Almighty and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of thy people, and grant us thy peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let our prayer be set forth in thy sight as the incense, and the lifting up of our hands as an evening sacrifice.

We pray for the people of Newfoundland, for their continued strength through adversity of this deluge of snow and that their lives may soon return to normal and those sent to help may soon return home.

O Heavenly Father: preserve we beseech thee, all who travel by land, water, or air; surround them with thy loving care; protect them from storms, danger, and evil; and bring them in safety to their journeyโ€™s end, especially those on board Queen Mary 2; and those serving in Her Majestyโ€™s Canadian Ships Fredericton and Halifax, humbly serving their nation overseas.

Almighty God: grant that those who are alone tonight may not be lonely in their solitude, but that they may find fulfillment through the love of Christ and faith.

O merciful father, who of thy gracious goodness hast heard the prayers of thy servants: we give humble thanks for the blessings and opportunities given to us; beseeching thee to continue thy loving kindness unto us. Thou we are unworthy, your nature is to love, forgive, and strengthen our faith in You. Through Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen.

The Octave Day of Christmas and the Circumcision of Christ, being New Year’s Day

THE COLLECT.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us thy only begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure Virgin: Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

The following additional Collects may be used for the Circumcision and for New Yearโ€™s Day.

Of the Circumcision.

ALMIGHTY God, who madest thy blessed Son to be circumcised, and obedient to the law for man: Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit; that, our hearts, and all our members, being mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all things obey thy blessed will; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the New Year.

O IMMORTAL Lord God, who inhabitest eternity, and hast brought thy servants to the beginning of another year: Pardon, we humbly beseech thee, our transgressions in the past, bless to us this New Year, and graciously abide with us all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE LESSON. Isaiah 9. 2.

THE people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

THE GOSPEL. St Luke 2. 15.

AND it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.