Weekly Peace Prayer
for December 17, 2024
prepared by Sister Carmel Little, CSJP
Invitation to Prayer:
Advent -
a time for prayer,
time for reflection.
Advent -
time for marveling
inner mysteries, hidden secrets.
Advent -
time for watching
in awed silence.
Constitutions:
Our daily communal prayer embraces a variety of forms|
including reflection on Scripture, the seasons of the church year,
the needs of the world.
Our prayer is a response in faith to God’s action in us
and a vital expression of our lives together. #31
As part of the local church
And united with Christians all over the world,
We gather to proclaim the mystery of salvation
through liturgical prayer, worship and celebrations. #32
Quiet Reflection
Reading:
The O Antiphons refer to the seven antiphons that are recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. They cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23, with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve and Vespers for that evening being for the Christmas Vigil.
Prayer: “O” Antiphons
O Wisdom flowing from the mouth of the Most High,
Reaching with such depth and touching all that is;
With harmony and strength you order all of life:
Come and teach us the way of truth;
Come and teach us,
O Wisdom, O Word of God.
O Adonai, light of the house of Israel,
Who was seen by Moses in the burning bush,
And gave the law of life to him on Sinai’s heights:
Come, be with us, with outstretched arm.
Come, be with us, O Adonai.
O Root of Jesse, a sign to your people on their way,
Even rulers stand in awe before your face;
It is to you a multitude of voices cry out:
Come, delay not, deliver us; come delay not,
O Root of Jesse.
O Key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel,
What you open or close shall not be undone by us.
We ask of you to lead forth from prison and fear,
Those who suffer and wait for justice;
Come and free them from shadow of death and fear.
O Morning Star, splendor of eternal light.
And for all time the sun of justice;
We ask of you to give your light to captives of fear:
Lift their anguish with your presence,
O Bearer of Peace, the one whom we so eagerly await:
Morning Star, shine forth with your light of peace.
It is you on whom we build our deepest hope in life;
And with this hope we find a oneness of heart;
Come and strengthen this unity;
Come with wholeness, O bearer of hope and peace.
O Emmanuel, God with us, our song throughout life,
Giver of the law of love that transforms ev’ry heart;
Your presence in our life we know as healing love;
Come and save us, O God of life;
Come and save us Emmanuel.
The Benedictine Foundation of the State of Vermont. 1978
Quiet Reflection
Prayer:
God of our longing, our hearts desire the warmth of your love
and our minds are searching for the light of your Word.
Let us know your presence as we prepare
for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
With Mary, with Joseph, with all peoples, and all creation,
we praise and thank you for your faithfulness and love.
We gratefully make this prayer in Jesus’ name.
