SATURDAY: SECOND AND FOURTH WEEKS


MORNING PRAYER


READING: Isaiah 65:1b-3a

I said, "Here I am, here I am,"
to a nation that did not call on my name.
I held out my hands all day long
to a rebellious people,
who walk in a way that is not good,
following their own devices;
a people who provoke me to my face continually.

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH

In experiencing God's mercy we learn to be merciful

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
who shepherds the people and
sets them free.

God raises from David’s house
a child with
power to save.
Through the holy prophets
God promised in
ages past
to save us from enemy hands,
from the grip of
all who hate us.

The Lord favored our ancestors
recalling the
sacred covenant,
the pledge to our an
cestor Abraham,
to free us
from our enemies,
so we might worship without fear
and be holy and just
all our days.

And you child, will be called
Prophet of
the Most High,
for you will come to prepare
a pathway
for the Lord
by teaching the peo
ple salvation
through forgiveness
of their sin.

Out of God’s
deepest mercy
a dawn will come
from on high,
light for those sha
dowed by death,
a guide for our feet on the
way to peace.

INTERCESSIONS

O God, this morning opens before us with
promise and opportunity. In gratitude we pray.

Creator God, you have shaped us as unique
persons:

~ Help us to accept the gentle touch of your
creative hand.

Compassionate Savior, your glace can heal
wounds:

~ Give us your eyes to look upon the world
with love.

Gracious Spirit, you have the power to
transform hearts:

~ Form and reform us in the fire of your love.

Hidden God, you come to us in the flesh of our
sisters and brothers:

~ Give us hearts opened to see and
welcome you.
Faithful God,you know our every need:

~ Help us to persevere in the commitments
we have made.

THE LORD'S PRAYER


PRAYER

Compassionate God, we give you thanks
for your great mercy. Encourage us to follow
your example that we may work to restore
compassion to the human family. Through our
words and deeds may your people know your
faithful love. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen

BLESSING

Purify our hearts, O God, that we may be freed from sin. Amen.
Renew our hearts, O God, that they may burn with love for you. Amen.
Open our hearts, O God, that we may welcome all persons as our brothers and sisters. Amen.