A simple form of evening prayer and candle lighting *
At St Mary's we would like to invite you to join us in a short time of prayer every day at 7pm. It involves lighting a candle and placing it in the window and then saying the following prayers as individuals or as households. You can join with others in these prayers on our Facebook page.
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.
Our help is in the name of the Lord
who made heaven and earth.
A period of silence for reflection on the past day may follow.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
The reading for the day (see below)**
The candle is lit and the following prayer is said
Heavenly Father, accept this burning candle as a sign of faith and love.
Like this candle, bring light into our world
Even as this candle is lit may we know your presence
and be consumed in the warmth of your love.
In your mercy, Lord hear our prayer.
In peace we will lie down and sleep;
for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, Lord Jesus
for the night is at hand and the day is now past.
As the night watch looks for the morning
so do we look for you, O Christ.
The Lord bless us and watch over us;
the Lord make his face shine upon us and be gracious to us;
the Lord look kindly on us and give us peace. Amen.
Bible Readings for this week
These short readings are those read, day by day, in our prayers (they are borrowed from Taizé). The Bible reference given indicates a slightly longer passage. Please use whichever you prefer.
Fri, 24 December
Paul writes: We announce what no eye has seen and no ear has heard, what the human mind cannot visualize: all that the Lord has prepared for those who love God.
1 Corinthians 2:1-9
Sat, 25 December
CHRISTMAS
In the beginning was the Word. In him was life, and that life was the light of all people.
John 1:1-5
SUN, 26 December
When Mary and Joseph found the child Jesus in the Temple, he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
Luke 2:41-52
Mon, 27 December
John writes: Life itself became visible, we saw it and testify to it. We proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was revealed to us.
1 John 1:1-4
Tue, 28 December
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God, and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made God known.
John 1:14-18
Wed, 29 December
Paul writes: Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus himself.
Philippians 2:1-11
Thu, 30 December
Jesus said to his disciples: Believe in the light so that you may become children of light.
John 12:35-36
Fri, 31 December
Jesus said: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. You must set no bounds to your love, just as your heavenly Father sets none to his.
Matthew 5:44-48
Sat, 1 January
Paul said: Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.”
Acts 20:17-38
Sun, 2 January
When they saw the star, the wise men were filled with a great joy. As they entered, they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they knelt down and worshipped him.
Matthew 2:1-12
Mon, 3 January
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:7-13
Tue, 4 January
Days will come when many peoples will come and say, “Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, so that the Lord may teach us the ways of God.” And they will hammer their swords into ploughshares and their spears into bill-hooks.
Micah 4:1-3
Wed, 5 January
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have welcomed angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:1-8
Thu, 6 January
Paul writes: By the Spirit, this mystery has been revealed: all peoples share the same inheritance, being members of one body, and having received the same promise in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:2-6
Fri, 7 January
Paul writes: Before I was born, God called me by his grace, and then revealed his Son in me.
Galatians 1:11-24
Sat, 8 January
You are my lamp, Lord, you light up my darkness. With you I storm the rampart, with my God I can scale any wall.
2 Samuel 22:21-31
SUN, 9 January
The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Luke 3:15-22
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