"Beauty for Ashes" - Vespers 11 October 2020

 

Mighty God, Loving Father, who sent your Son, Jesus Christ to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified (Isaiah 61:2-3); we lift up our hearts and hands and voices to give you praise, to thank you, and to rejoice in your goodness! O Lord, hear our prayer. 

Creator and Sustainer, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; we pray for the nations and peoples of the world, we pray for our own country, we pray for our friends, foes and family with the Psalmist in Psalm 146: please execute justice for the oppressed (…); give food to the hungry (…); set the prisoners free, specifically those who are innocent or unjustly imprisoned (…); open the eyes of the blind (…); lift up those who are bowed down (…); pour out love on the righteous (…); watch over the sojourners (…); uphold the widow and the fatherless (…); and bring the way of the wicked to ruin (…); for you, O God, reign forever even unto all generations. Praise the LORD (Psalm 146:6-10)! O Lord, hear our prayer. 

Lord Jesus, you who loved the church and gave yourself up for her; smile on your flock world over, along with this congregation. According to your plan and work, do sanctify her, since you have cleansed her by the washing of water with the word; and present her to yourself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. And may she submit to you in reciprocal love, abandoning herself to your affectionate embrace and ardor (Ephesians 5:24-27). O Lord, hear our prayer. 

Because of your plentiful goodness, we add our voices to the redeemed of Isaiah 61, and say: I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels (Isaiah 61:10). O Lord, hear our prayer.


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