Mid-Day Prayer for the Christmas Season

Mid-day prayer for christmas

From Christmas to Epiphany

Introductory Responses

O God, make speed to save us.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word and Holy Spirit: 

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.  Amen. 

Alleluia!

or

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.  Amen.

Alleluia!

A hymn may be sung.  Mid-Day Prayer continues with the Psalm.

The Psalm

Psalm 119.89-96

⁸⁹ O Lord, your word is everlasting; *

            it stands firm in the heavens.

⁹⁰ Your faithfulness remains from one generation to another; *

            you established the earth, and it abides.

⁹¹ By your decree these continue to this day, *

            for all things are your servants.

⁹² If my delight had not been in your law, *

            I should have perished in my affliction.

⁹³ I will never forget your commandments, *

            because by them you give me life.

⁹⁴ I am yours; oh, that you would save me, *

            for I study your commandments!

⁹⁵ Though the wicked lie in wait for me to destroy me, *

            but your commandment has no bounds.

⁹⁶ I see that all things come to an end, *

            but your commandment has no bounds.

Lord, you are just and your commandments are eternal.  Teach us to love you with all our heart and to love our neighbour as ourselves.  Amen.

Mid-Day Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading

1 John 1.1-3

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the world life --- this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us --- we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

After a period of silent reflection one of the following is said.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

or

Here what the Spirit is saying to the church.

Thanks be to God.

or

Holy Word, Holy Wisdom.

Thanks be to God.

Mid-Day Prayer continues with the Prayers.

The Prayers

Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered.  Then the following is said.

Unto us a child is born.

Unto us a Son is given.

O God, your love was so great for us that you gave us your Son to shine out in our darkness.  Help us to make that love known to all the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Mid-Day Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

Lord, remember us in your kingdom,

and teach us to pray.

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven. 

Give us today our daily bread. 

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us. 

Save us from the time of trial,

and deliver us from evil. 

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours,

now and for ever.  Amen.

Mid-Day Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Dismissal

Let us bless the incarnate Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Liturgical Resources Used

The passage from 1 John 1 is taken from the New Revised Standard Version, (c) 1989 by The National Council of Churches.

All other liturgical texts are taken from The Book of Alternative Services, (c) 1985 by The Anglican Church of Canada and emended for inclusive language by the Rev'd Dr Richard Geoffrey Leggett.