Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Proper Prayers and Blessings for Advent 1A (1 December 2019)

Proper Prayers for RCL Advent 1A


Isaiah 2.1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13.11-14; Matthew 24.36-44

Collect of the Day


Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility, that/so that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.  [1]
or
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come.  By your merciful protection save us from the threatening dangers of our sins, and enlighten our walk in the way of your salvation, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.  [2]
or
God of peace, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; so that on the last day, when your Son Jesus shall come again to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to eternal life; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.  [3]
or
Almighty God, as your kingdom dawns, turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness, so that we may be ready to meet you in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Amen.  [3]

Prayer over the Gifts


God of love and power, your word stirs within us the expectation of the coming of your Son.  Accept all we offer you this day, and sustain us with your promise of eternal life.  We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  [1]
or
God of abundance, we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation, and with them our very lives.  Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Saviour and Lord.  Amen.  [2]

Preface


It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Saviour Jesus Christ.  You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer, though whom you will also make all things new in the day when he comes to judge the world in righteousness.  And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn.  [2]
or
Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; we give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord, who in the fullness of time came among us in our flesh, and opened to us the way of salvation.  Now we watch for the day when he will come again in power and great triumph to judge this world, that/so that we, without shame or fear, may rejoice to behold his appearing.  Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your name.  [1]

The Breaking of the Bread


God of promise, you prepare a banquet for us in your kingdom.
Happy are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.  [1]

Prayer after Communion


God for whom we wait, you have fed us with the bread of eternal life.  Keep us ever watchful, that/so that we may be ready to stand before the Son of man.  We ask this in the name of Christ the Lord.  Amen.  [1]
or
God for whom we wait, in this meal you give us a foretaste of that day when the hungry will be fed with good things.  Send us forth to make known your deeds and to proclaim the greatness of your name, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.  Amen.  [2]

Blessing


Be steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and untiring in love all the days of your life; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.  Amen.  [1]
or
Be steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and untiring in love all the days of your life; and the blessing the holy and undivided Trinity, the Author of creation, the Word of redemption and the Spirit of wisdom, be among you and remain with you always.  Amen.  [1 alt.]
or
May the Holy One of Israel, by whose providence our Redeemer came among us in great humility, sanctify you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always.  Amen.  [7 alt.]
or
May the Holy One of Israel, by whose providence our Redeemer came among us in great humility, sanctify you in the name of the holy and undivided Trinity, the Author of creation, the Word of redemption and the Spirit of wisdom, now and always.  Amen.  [7 alt.]
or
May the Sun of righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.  Amen.  [7 alt.]
or
May the Sun of righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path; and the blessing the holy and undivided Trinity, the Author of creation, the Word of redemption and the Spirit of wisdom, be among you and remain with you always.  Amen.  [7 alt.]


Notes


[1]       The Book of Alternative Services 1985
[2]       Evangelical Lutheran Worship 2006
[2a]      Evangelical Lutheran Worship:  Leaders Desk Edition 2006
[3]       Alternative Collects for Years A, B & C of the RCL and Seasonal Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion 2019
[4]       Opening Prayers:  Collects in Contemporary Language 1997
[5]       Prayers for an Inclusive Church 2009
[6]       Revised Common Lectionary Prayers 2002
[7]       Book of Occasional Services 2003

N.B.  Text in italics are possible alternatives suggested by the Ven. Richard Geoffrey Leggett, Ph.D.

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