Praying Advent: Day 17
Praise
Lauds (Traditional hour: dawn/waking up)Laudate, omnes gentes, laudate Dominum! [Sing praises, all people, sing praises to the Lord!]We greet the new day by praising the Creator.
Opening:
Praise the Lord, O my soul:Praise God’s holy name.
Scripture
Ah, soiled, defiled,oppressing city!
It has listened to no voice;it has accepted no correction.
It has not trusted in the Lord;it has not drawn near to its God.
At that time I will change the speech of the peoplesto a pure speech,
that all of them may call on the name of the Lordand serve him with one accord.
From beyond the rivers of Ethiopiamy suppliants, my scattered ones,shall bring my offering.
On that day you shall not be put to shamebecause of all the deeds by which you have rebelled against me;
for then I will remove from your midstyour proudly exultant ones,
and you shall no longer be haughtyin my holy mountain.
For I will leave in the midst of youa people humble and lowly.
They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord—
the remnant of Israel;
they shall do no wrongand utter no lies,
nor shall a deceitful tonguebe found in their mouths.
Then they will pasture and lie down,and no one shall make them afraid.
It has listened to no voice;it has accepted no correction.
It has not trusted in the Lord;it has not drawn near to its God.
At that time I will change the speech of the peoplesto a pure speech,
that all of them may call on the name of the Lordand serve him with one accord.
From beyond the rivers of Ethiopiamy suppliants, my scattered ones,shall bring my offering.
On that day you shall not be put to shamebecause of all the deeds by which you have rebelled against me;
for then I will remove from your midstyour proudly exultant ones,
and you shall no longer be haughtyin my holy mountain.
For I will leave in the midst of youa people humble and lowly.
They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord—
the remnant of Israel;
they shall do no wrongand utter no lies,
nor shall a deceitful tonguebe found in their mouths.
Then they will pasture and lie down,and no one shall make them afraid.
-Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13 NRSV
Meditation
Name three ways your faith community challenges you to practice the Way of Love. Share your list with a member of your community.
Prayers
Come, Emmanuel, come dwell with me.Hope of the world and Word of life:Come, Emmanuel, come dwell with me.
Going Out
Praise the Lord, O my soul:Praise God’s holy name.
Prayer form adapted from:1Daily prayer for all seasons. (2014). New York, N.Y.: Church Publishing.