Morning Prayer: Advent - Peace
The Call to Prayer
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
The Request for Presence
Come, Lord Jesus, and speak peace to those who are far off and peace to those who are near, for through you we all have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Adapted from Ephesians 2:17-18
The Greeting
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
The Hymn
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold.
“To all the earth goodwill and peace, from heaven’s all-gracious King”;
the world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats o’ver all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o’er its babel sound the blessed angels sing.
And ye, beneath life’s crushing load, whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow.
Look now! For glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing.
Oh rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing.
For lo! The days are hastening on, by prophets seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold,
when peace shall over all the earth God’s promised splendors fling,
and all the world take up the song, which now the angels sing.
Edmund Hamilton Sears
PCC Hymn #148 It came upon the midnight clear
The Refrain
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
A Reading Isaiah 9:1-7
But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onwards and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Isaiah 9:1-7
The Refrain
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
The Psalm
Give glory to YHWH, you heavenly court, give YHWH glory and strength!
Give forth the glory that God’s Name deserves, and worship YHWH in the splendor of holiness!
The voice of YHWH resounds over the waters; the God of glory thunders over the raging seas,
God’s voice is powerful, God’s voice is full of majesty,
The voice of YHWH snaps the cedars, shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
It makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of YHWH strikes with bolts of lightning;
The voice of YHWH shakes the wilderness, the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of YHWH twists the oaks, and strips the forest bare; and in God’s Temple all cry, “Glory!”
YHWH sits in judgement over the flood; YHWH is its Ruler forever.
Give strength to your people, YHWH!
Bless your people with peace!
Psalm 29
The Refrain
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
The Gloria
All praise, eternal Son, to thee,
whose advent sets thy people free,
whom, with the Father, we adore,
and Holy Spirit, evermore.
Charles Coffin (Latin), John Chandler (English translation)
PCC Hymn #126 On Jordan’s bank
The Lord’s Prayer
The Prayer Appointed for the Day
O gracious God, by your tender mercy, may the dawn from on high break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Adapted from Zechariah’s Song, Luke 1:78-79
The Concluding Prayer of the Church
God be in my head and in my understanding;
God be in my eyes and in my looking;
God be in my mouth and in my speaking;
God be in my heart and in my thinking;
God be at my end and at my departing.
R. Pynson (1514)
Bible Translations from either the NRSV or The Inclusive Bible.