When do the Twelve Days of Christmas begin? On Christmas Day itself - leading us to TWELFTH NIGHT, the eve of Epiphany, January 6.
Through these dozen days, Night Prayer will focus each evening on one
of the many gifts the Christmas season brings us. Tonight: the
gift of the God's Word... No partridges in pear trees
here - but you can sing my 12 days to the familiar tune!
On the ninth day of Christmas,
the good Lord gave to me:
God's Word abiding,
Mercy after mercy,
New Year beginning,
Hope for tomorrow,
- Friends as good as gold - Faith in God above,
Angels sent from heaven,
Shepherds keeping watch
And a Child born in Bethlehem town!
Lord, I never hear you speak
as I hear others speak to me
and yet I do hear you speak
in a thousand different ways...
I hear you whisper in the breeze
and howl in the storm...
I hear you speaking
in my intuition and my conscience
in my imagination and my musing,
in my thoughts, ideas and dreams...
I hear the beauty of your voice
in the turning of the tide
and the changing of the seasons...
I hear your simple wisdom speak
in all that's true and pure and just...
I hear your voice proclaimed in scripture,
ever ancient, ever new...
I hear the music of your spirit
sounding deep within my soul...
I hear your mercy and compassion
and your healing consolation
in the words of those who pardon me:
my family, friends and neighbors...
I hear you when you speak, Lord,
in the silence of my prayer,
when you tell me in the stillness
that you're with me, by my side...
I listen with keen longing,
with all my heart and soul,
I listen for your gentle voice
calling me by name...
Speak to me and let me hear
your counsel, cry and call;
whisper, shout and sing to me
your gracious saving word...
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
Two songs this evening, the first a contemporary piece
with a contemporary sound; the second also a contemporary
composition but in the style of hymnody. You don't have to
choose - feel free to pray with both!
Word of God, Speak by Mercy Me
If two videos don't appear below, click here!
Speak, O Lord by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory.
Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility;
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow’r that can never fail—
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.
Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.
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