Heavy Burdens: Advent Daybook 11

Take a few deep breaths, settle your body, mind, and heart into a quiet space, and let’s begin with prayer.

Opening prayer: Heavenly Father, make me more like Jesus and more like the true self you’ve created as I savor your loving presence today. Please guide my thoughts and impressions by your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Look: Smoke rises following Israeli airstrikes on a building in Gaza City on May 13, 2021, Hatem Moussa / AP - Source

Listen: In A Land by Death O’ershadowed, The Porter’s Gate [feat. Paul Zach & Page CXVI] - Lyrics & Score | Spotify | YouTube

Read: Psalm 38; Amos 8:1-14; Revelation 1:17-2:7; Matthew 23:1-12

Excerpts:

“O Lord, all my longing is known to you; my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart throbs, my strength fails me; as for the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me. My friends and companions stand aloof from my affliction, and my neighbors stand far off.

Those who seek my life lay their snares; those who seek to hurt me speak of ruin, and meditate treachery all day long.

But I am like the deaf, I do not hear; like the mute, who cannot speak. Truly, I am like one who does not hear, and in whose mouth is no retort.

But it is for you, O Lord, that I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.”

*

“The time is surely coming, says the Lord God, when I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, but they shall not find it.”

*

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades.

... “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands:

... “I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”

*

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long.

... The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

- Psalm 38:9-15 * Amos 8:11-12 * Revelation 1:17-18, 2:1a, 2-5 * Matthew 23:1-5, 11-12 (NRSV)

Pray: Book of Common Prayer, Prayers of the People (Form VI)

On Wednesdays, through Advent, we’ll practice an intercessory prayer method called “Prayers of the People”. This comprehensive format of call and response guides us through each sphere of our world with specific prayer. If you’re praying with a friend or family member, one of you can read the first part (the bidding) and one can read the second part (the response).

In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.

Silence

For all people in their daily life and work; For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.

For this community, the nation, and the world; For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

For the just and proper use of your creation; For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.

For the peace and unity of the Church of God; For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

For our church leaders; and all other ministers; For all who serve God in his Church.

For the special needs and concerns of our congregation.

Silence

Add your own requests and petitions: ____________.

Hear us, Lord; For your mercy is great.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.

Silence

Add your own thanksgivings: ________________.

We will exalt you, O God our King; And praise your Name for ever and ever.

We think of all who have died in Christ, and thank you that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.

Silence

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them; Who put their trust in you.

We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.

Silence

Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; in your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Silence

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. Alleluia!

Do: Purchase Hand-Stitched Peace Dolls made by a community of Israeli and Palestinian women working together for unity and peace.

You might also enjoy: Rockets, Riots, Sermons, and Soccer: Christian Views on the Conflict in Gaza and Israel by Jayson Casper at CT

These daily devotional posts are available to those who subscribe at the Daybook ($5 a month) level. You can also purchase a one-time .pdf download of all 40 meditations for Advent & Christmastide in my Shop. You can see the entire Advent archive here.

* Listen to my entire playlist on Spotify: Make A Way: Advent 2021 .

** Sunday Scripture readings are taken from Year C of the Revised Common Lectionary. Daily Scripture readings are taken from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and include both Morning and Evening Psalms (Year 2).