Things to Come: Advent Daybook 18
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: Innocence Project Client Rosa Jimenez Released After 17 Years in Prison for a Crime She Did Not Commit | Rosa Jimenez and her attorney Vanessa Potkin following her release on Jan. 27, 2021, Robin Jerstad for the AP/Innocence Project - Source
Listen: Isaiah (O Come), The Porter’s Gate [feat. Paul Zach, Liz Vice & Page CXVI] - Spotify | YouTube | Lyrics & Score
Read: Zechariah 3:1–10; Psalm 119:49-72; Revelation 4:1–8; Matthew 24:45–51
Excerpts:
“Then the angel of the Lord assured Joshua, saying “Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. Now listen, Joshua, high priest, you and your colleagues who sit before you! For they are an omen of things to come: I am going to bring my servant the Branch. For on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven facets, I will engrave its inscription, says the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the guilt of this land in a single day. On that day, says the Lord of hosts, you shall invite each other to come under your vine and fig tree.”
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”After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! And the one seated there looks like jasper and carnelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads. Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God; and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal.
Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with a face like a human face, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing, ‘Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.’”
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”Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.”
— Zechariah 3:6-10, Revelation 4:1-8, & Matthew 24:46 (NRSV & ESV)
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: Support Innocence Project.
You might also enjoy:
The Ahmaud Arbery Case Equips Me for Advent: As we await full justice with Christ’s return, a guilty verdict only partly satisfies. by Rev. Kimberly Deckel via 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).