ADVENT in my POCKET A pocket treasury of prayers for each day of Advent
ADVENT in my P O CKET A pocket treasury of prayers for each day of Advent
SUNDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT Pray Today Jesus, it is only the first day of Advent, but it already looks like Christmas. Decorated trees, Santas and blinking lights abound. Ads invite me to create wish lists. Jesus, my wish is that this Advent You trim my heart of needless anxiety, that You still and hold me in the midst of the seasonal frenzy so that even as I wait for Christmas, I remain mindful of Your gentle presence, coming to earth not with trumpets and boomboxed carols, but with a tiny infant cry. Today Pray For all who are searching for God. Conclude your prayer with: Lord, by Your Incarnation You became like us. Open our hearts and minds that we may become like You: gentle, loving, merciful, prayerful and just. You are forever, Emmanuel, God with us. Daily Scripture Reflection “Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before You.” –Isaiah 63:19 2
MONDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT Pray Today Lord, even as I pray for peace among nations, I often train for my personal wars: rehearsing old injuries, sharpening grudges and shaping arguments and insults I might use as future defense. Jesus, give me a forgiving heart and make me an instrument of Your peace. Today Pray For Franciscans International and for all who work for peace and justice among and within nations of the world. Conclude your prayer with: Lord, by Your Incarnation You became like us. Open our hearts and minds that we may become like You: gentle, loving, merciful, prayerful and just. You are forever, Emmanuel, God with us. Daily Scripture Reflection “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.” –Isaiah 2:4 3
FRIDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT Pray Today Jesus, while You were on earth, You healed the blind and deaf. Open my eyes and ears to Your truth, to view myself as You know me. Then Lord, cure me of my pettiness, selfishness and fears and help me to recognize and share my gifts and talents. Today Pray For artists, writers and performers who cause us to see what is true, good and beautiful. Conclude your prayer with: Lord, by Your Incarnation You became like us. Open our hearts and minds that we may become like You: gentle, loving, merciful, prayerful and just. You are forever, Emmanuel, God with us. Daily Scripture Reflection “On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a scroll; And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see.” –Isaiah 29:18
7
SUNDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT Pray Today Jesus, I share the gift of the Spirit You have given Your followers, but that gift is not meant for me alone, but for me to share, to give comfort and hope to the struggling, to free myself and others from the fears and conditions that imprison us. Jesus, open me to Your Spirit gift. Today Pray For prisoners and those working in prison ministry. Conclude your prayer with: Lord, by Your Incarnation You became like us. Open our hearts and minds that we may become like You: gentle, loving, merciful, prayerful and just. You are forever, Emmanuel, God with us. Daily Scripture Reflection “The spirit of the Lord God Is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners.” –Isaiah 61:1 16
CHRISTMAS DAY
Daily Scripture Reflection “BEHOLD, I PROCLAIM TO YOU GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY THAT WILL BE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE. FOR TODAY IN THE CITY OF DAVID A SAVIOR HAS BEEN BORN FOR YOU WHO IS CHRIST AND LORD. AND THIS WILL BE A SIGN FOR YOU: YOU WILL FIND AN INFANT WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES AND LYING IN A MANGER.” –Luke 2:10-12 28
“Advent In My Pocket” was produced by The Franciscan Friars of The United States Assumption BVM Province www.franciscan-friars.org (414) 525-9253 x238 Holy Name Province www.thefranciscans.org (800) 848-4538 Immaculate Conception Province www.franciscanmissionassoc.org (914) 664-5604 Our Lady of Guadalupe Province www.olgofm.org (505) 877-8006 Sacred Heart Province www.thefriars.org (314) 655-0530 St. Barbara Province www.sbfranciscans.org (510) 536-3722 x109 St. John the Baptist Province www.franciscan.org (513) 721-4700 Copyright 2014