Wednesday - Second Week of Advent

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, not be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Some reflections on my first week's experience using a prayer book. My church tradition has always emphasized spontenaeity in prayer. It seemed more "spiritual" to pray what was "in one's heart" rather than reading a prayer, especially one that someone else had written.

Yet I am finding great release, liberation even, in being freed from the same - tired - phrases and "heart-desires" that I always seemed to come back to again and again. It opens me up to new ways of looking at Scripture and prayer. And it allows me to concentrate on what is being expressed in the prayer rather than trying to put together the words myself, while still enabling me to "jam" on the written-prayer if I feel like it.

Preserve me with your mighty power...and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose...this day...and always...