December 14 - Prayer for Divine Favor

Psalm 85:9-14

I will listen for the word of God;

surely the Lord will proclaim peace

to his people, to the faithful,

to those who trust in him.

Near indeed is salvation for the loyal;

prosperity will fill our land.

Love and truth will meet;

justice and peace will kiss.

Truth will spring from the earth;

justice will look down from heaven.

The Lord will surely grant abundance;

our land will yield its increase.

Prosperity will march before the Lord,

and good fortune will follow behind.

Reflection

Ifwe follow the Lord in his ways, then we pray we can gain but a smallportion of His favor – do we follow Him in all that we do?

December 13 - God Delivers the Just

Psalm 34

I will praise Yahweh from my heart; let the humble hear and rejoice.

Proclaim with me the greatness of Yahweh, let us acclaim his name together.

A pauper calls out and Yahweh hears, saves him from all his troubles.

The angel of Yahweh encamps around those who fear him, and rescues them.

They cry in anguish and Yahweh hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.

Yahweh is near to the broken-hearted, he helps those whose spirit is crushed.

Though hardships without number beset the upright, Yahweh brings rescue from them all.

Reflection

As we are defenseless, we only have to trust in God, as we are his poor and He is our protection as He is this day and, indeed, every day.

December 12 - Confidence in God's Forgiveness and Guidance

Psalm 25:4-9

Direct me in your ways, Yahweh, and teach me your paths.

Encourage me to walk in your truth and teach me since you are the God who saves me. For my hope is in you all day long -- such is your generosity, Yahweh.

Goodness and faithful love have been yours for ever, Yahweh, do not forget them.

Hold not my youthful sins against me, but remember me as your faithful love dictates.

Integrity and generosity are marks of Yahweh for he brings sinners back to the path.

Judiciously he guides the humble, instructing the poor in his way.

Reflection

Are we providing guidance and compassion to those that cross our path as we keep our faith in the Lord?

December 11 - The Magnificat

Luke 1:46-50, 53-54

AndMary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; myspirit rejoices in God my savior.

Forhe has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on willall ages call me blessed.

TheMighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

Hismercy is from age to age to those who fear him.

Thehungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent awayempty.

Hehas helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,

Reflection

Arewe humbled in our life, as Mary was when she found that she was to bethe Mother of our Lord?

December 10 - Prayer for the Restoration of the Lord's Vineyard

Psalm 80

Shepherd of Israel, listen,

guide of the flock of Joseph!

From your throne upon the cherubim reveal yourself

to Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh.

Stir up your power, come to save us.

O Lord of hosts, restore us;

Turn again, Lord of hosts;

look down from heaven and see;

Attend to this vine, the shoot your right hand has planted.

May your help be with the man at your right hand,

with the one whom you once made strong.

Then we will not withdraw from you;

revive us, and we will call on your name.

Reflection

Lord, let us look to you in times of trouble so that you can protect us....

December 9 - True Happiness

Psalm 1


Happy those who do not follow
the counsel of the wicked,
Nor go the way of sinners,
nor sit in company with scoffers.
Rather, the law of the Lord is their joy;
God's law they study day and night.
They are like a tree planted near streams of water,
that yields its fruit in season;
Its leaves never wither;
whatever they do prospers.


But not the wicked!
They are like chaff driven by the wind.
The Lord watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.


Reflection


What can I do this Advent to deepen my relationship with God and thus my true happiness?

December 8 - The Lord, the Victorious King and Just Judge

Psalm 98


Sing a new song to the Lord,
who has done marvelous deeds,
Whose right hand and holy arm
have won the victory.


The Lord has made his victory known;
has revealed his triumph for the nations to see,
Has remembered faithful love
toward the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth;
break into song; sing praise.


Reflection


Let me take this time to think of all that God has provided for me....

December 7 - Praise of Divine Goodness

Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, my soul;

all my being, bless his holy name!

Bless the Lord, my soul;

do not forget all the gifts of God,

Who pardons all your sins,

heals all your ills,

Delivers your life from the pit,

surrounds you with love and compassion.

Merciful and gracious is the Lord,

slow to anger, abounding in kindness.

Has not dealt with us as our sins merit,

nor required us as our deeds deserve.

Reflection

With all God does for me, why do I have such a hard time resting in his goodness?

December 6 - God of the Universe

Psalm 96

Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
announce his salvation day after day.
Tell God's glory among the nation;
among all peoples, God's marvelous deeds.

Say among the nations: The Lord is King.
The world will surely stand fast, never to be moved.
God rules the peoples with fairness

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them.
Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice
before the Lord who comes,
who comes to govern the earth,
To govern the world with justice
and the peoples with faithfulness.

Reflection

Can I pray today for insight and courage to make God's glory known throughout Ann Arbor?

December 5 - Our God will come to save us!

Psalm 85

Show us, Lord, your love,

grant us your salvation.

I will listen for the word of God;

surely the Lord will proclaim peace

to his people, to the faithful,

to those who trust in him.

Near indeed is salvation for the loyal;

prosperity will fill our land.

Love and truth will meet;

justice and peace will kiss.

Truth will spring from the earth;

justice will look down from heaven.

The Lord will surely grant abundance;

our land will yield its increase.

Prosperity will march before the Lord,

and good fortune will follow behind.

Reflection

How often do I ask the Lord God for the grace to hear what He proclaims?

December 4 - Grant Us Your Salvation

Psalm 85

Show us, Lord, your love,
grant us your salvation.
I will listen for the word of God;
surely the Lord will proclaim peace
to his people, to the faithful,
to those who trust in him.
Near indeed is salvation for the loyal;
prosperity will fill our land.

Love and truth will meet;
justice and peace will kiss.
Truth will spring from the earth;
justice will look down from heaven.
The Lord will surely grant abundance;
our land will yield its increase.
Prosperity will march before the Lord,
and good fortune will follow behind.

Reflection

Have I set some time aside this Advent season to see the good granted by God in my life?

December 3 - God's Word Restores Jerusalem

Psalm 147

How good to celebrate our God in song;

how sweet to give fitting praise.

The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem,

gathers the dispersed of Israel,

He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He tells the number of the stars;
he calls each by name.

Great is our LORD and mighty in power:
to his wisdom there is no limit.
The LORD sustains the lowly;
the wicked he casts to the ground.

Reflection

Help me become like a one person choir, giving praise to our wondrous God every day!

December 2 - Trust in God

Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom do I fear?

The Lord is my life's refuge;

of whom am I afraid?

One thing I ask of the Lord;

this I seek:

To dwell in the Lord's house

all the days of my life,

To gaze on the Lord's beauty,

to visit his temple.

But I believe I shall enjoy the Lord's goodness

in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord, take courage;

be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!

Reflection

Do I realize that trusting in God helps me strengthen myself?

December 1 - Hymn of Thanksgiving

Psalm 118

Give thanks to the Lord, who is good,

whose love endures forever.

Better to take refuge in the Lord

than to put one's trust in mortals.

Better to take refuge in the Lord

than to put one's trust in princes.

Open the gates of victory;

I will enter and thank the Lord.

This is the Lord's own gate,

where the victors enter.

I thank you for you have answered me;

you have been my savior.

Lord, grant salvation!

Lord, grant good fortune!

Blessed is he

who comes in the name of the Lord.

We bless you from the Lord's house.

The Lord is God and has given us light.

Join in procession with leafy branches

up to the horns of the altar.

Reflection

Do I give praise God and give Him proper thanks for shining His light on me so brightly?

November 30- The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

Psalm 19

The law of the Lord is perfect,

refreshing the soul.

The decree fo the Lord is trustworthy,

giving wisdom to the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right,

rejoicing the heart.

The command of the Lord is clear,

enlightening the eye.

The fear of the Lord is pure,

enduring forever.

The statutes of the Lord are true,

all of them just;

More desirable than gold,

than a hoard of purest gold,

Sweeter also than honey

or drippings from the comb.

Reflection

Lord, help me reap the reward of keeping your righteous commandments.

November 29 - God, the instrument of divine justice and blessing

Psalm 72

O God, give your judgment to the king;

your justice to the son of kings.

That he may govern your people with justice,

your oppressed with right judgment,

That the mountains may yield their bounty

for the people,

and the hills great abundance,

That he may defend the oppressed among the people,

save the poor and crush the oppressor.

That abundance may flourish in his days,

great bounty, till the moon be no more.

May he rule from sea to sea,

from the river to the ends of the earth.

For he rescues the poor when they cry out,

the oppressed who have no one to help.

He shows pity to the needy and the poor

and saves the lives of the poor.

May his name be blessed forever;

as long as the sun, may his name endure.

May the tribes of the earth give blessings with his name;

may all the nations regard him as favored.

Reflection

The Lord is the King who brings justice and fullness of peace. Are my actions just? Do they bring peace to me and those around me?

November 28 - Let us go to the house of the Lord!

Psalm 122

I rejoiced when they said to me,

"Let us go to the house of the Lord."

And now our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem.

Jerusalem, built as a city,

walled round about.

Here the tribes have come,

the tribes of the Lord,

As it was decreed for Israel,

to give thanks to the name of the Lord.

Here are the thrones of justice,

the thrones of the house of David.

For the peace of Jerusalem pray:

"May those who love you prosper!

May peace be within your ramparts,

prosperity within your towers."

For family and friends I say,

"May peace be yours."

For the house of the Lord, our God,

I pray,

"May blessings be yours."

Reflection

Pray for peace-in your homes, relationships, the world. Above all ask for peace in your own heart. Time for personal soul-searching.

November 27- Lord of hosts, restore us!

Psalm 80

Shepherd of Israel, listen,

guide of the flock of Joseph!

From your throne upon the cherubim reveal yourself

to Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh.

Stir up your power, come to save us.

O LORD of hosts, restore us;

Let your face shine upon us,

that we may be saved.

Turn again, LORD of hosts;

look down from heaven and see;

Attend to this vine,

the shoot your right hand has planted.

Those who would burn or cut it down--

may they perish at your rebuke.

May your help be with the man at your right hand,

with the one whom you once made strong.

Then we will not withdraw from you;

revive us, and we will call on your name.

LORD of hosts, restore us;

let your face shine upon us,

that we may be saved.

Reflection:

We are reminded that God is always here, looking on, waiting for us to turn back to him. Are you ready to share His love and joy, and be saved?