The House of Prayer

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
ever faithful to your promises and ever close to your Church:
the earth rejoices in hope of the Savior's coming
and looks forward with longing to His return at the end of time.
Prepare our hearts and remove the sadness
that hinders us from feeling the joy and hope which His presence will bestow,
for He is Lord for ever and ever.
Amen.

Father, I pray that you will turn our hearts toward you as Christmas approaches. Let us not get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season this year and miss the chance to celebrate the gifts of hope, peace, joy, love, that you sent to us on that first Christmas. That first Christmas, you gave us the gift of hope wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. Thank you, Father, for your immeasurable gift. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

-Stephanie Raquel

Source: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/prayer/christmas-prayers-give-thanks-for-the-birth-of-jesus-christ.html

Let there be Peace on Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Xm_nR4310

Vater Unser: The Lord's Prayer, music by Arvo Pärt

Our Father in Heaven,
we praise and thank You for Your faithfulness
that is seeing us on into this brand new year.
Help us to take courage for the journey
by reflecting on your faithfulness in the past -
not only to us but more importantly to all who have followed You down through the ages.
As there has not failed one single promise of Yours in the past,
we have every reason to trust You for the future.
We praise and thank You in Jesus' precious Name.
Amen.

3John 1:1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
3John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

3John 1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

3John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

3John 1:5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

3John 1:6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

3John 1:7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

3John 1:8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

3John 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

3John 1:10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

3John 1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

3John 1:12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

3John 1:13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

3John 1:14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

Deus meus, ex toto corde poenitet me omnium meorum peccatorum, eaque detestor, quia peccando, non solum poenas a Te iuste statutas promeritus sum, sed praesertim quia offendi Te, summum bonum, ac dignum qui super omnia diligaris. Ideo firmiter propono, adiuvante gratia Tua, de cetero me non peccaturum peccandique occasiones proximas fugiturum. Amen.

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth,
Plenisunt caeli et terra gloria tua.
Hosanna in excelsis.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
Hosanna in excelsis.

The Holy Cross be my light
Let not the dragon be my guide.
Begone, Satan,
do not suggest to me thy vanities -
evil are the things thou profferest,
drink thou thy own poison.
In the name of
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen!

A Universal Prayer for All Things Necessary to Salvation
COMPOSED BY POPE CLEMENT XI (1700-21)

O MY God, I believe in Thee; do Thou strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee; do Thou secure them. I love Thee with my whole heart; teach me to love Thee daily more and more. I am sorry that I have offended Thee; do Thou increase my sorrow.

I adore Thee as my first beginning; I aspire after Thee as my last end. I give Thee thanks as my constant benefactor; I call upon Thee as my sovereign protector.

Vouchsafe, O my God, to conduct me by Thy wisdom, to restrain me by Thy justice, to comfort me by Thy mercy, to defend me by Thy power.

To Thee I desire to consecrate all my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings; that henceforward I may think of Thee, speak of Thee, constantly refer all my actions to Thy greater glory, and suffer willingly whatever Thou shalt appoint.

Lord, I desire that in all things Thy will may be done; because it is Thy will, in the manner that Thou willest, and as long as Thou willest.

I beg of Thee to enlighten my understanding, to inflame my will, to purify my body, and to sanctify my soul.

Grant that I be not puffed up with pride, moved by flattery, deceived by the world, or duped by the devil.

Give me grace to purify my memory, to bridle my tongue, to restrain my eyes, and to mortify my senses.

Give me strength, O my God, to expiate my offences, to overcome temptations, to subdue my passions, and to acquire the virtues proper for my state.

Fill my heart with tender affection for Thy goodness, a hatred for my faults, a love for my neighbour, and a contempt of the world.

Let me always remember to be submissive to my superiors, condescending to my inferiors, faithful to my friends, and charitable to my enemies.

Grant, O Jesus, that I may remember Thy precept and example, by loving my enemies, bearing with injuries, doing good to them that persecute me, and praying for them that slander me.

Assist me to overcome sensuality by mortification, avarice by alms-deeds, anger by meekness, and tepidity by devotion.

O my God, make me prudent in my undertakings, courageous in dangers, patient in afflictions, and humble in prosperity.

Grant that I may be ever attentive at my prayers, temperate at my meals, diligent in my employments, and constant in my good resolutions.

Let my conscience be ever upright and pure, my exterior modest, my conversation edifying, and my life according to rule.

Assist me, that I may continually labour to overcome nature, to correspond with Thy grace, to keep Thy commandments, and to work out my salvation.

Help me to obtain holiness of life by a sincere confession of my sins, by a devout reception of the Body of Christ, by a continual recollection of mind, and a pure intention of heart.

Discover to me, O my God, the nothingness of this world, the greatness of heaven, the shortness of time, and the length of eternity.

Grant that I may prepare for death, that I may fear Thy judgments, that I may escape hell, and in the end obtain heaven, through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.