27 December 2016

Praying at Christmas with USPG,
(3): 27 December 2016

Saint John depicted above the main gate of Saint John’s College, Cambridge (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Patrick Comerford

The Christmas season continues, and today [27 December 2016] is the feast of Saint John the Evangelist. Each morning throughout the Twelve Days of Christmas I am using the prayer diary of the Anglican mission agency, USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), for my morning prayers and reflections.

This week, the prayers in the USPG Prayer Diary focus on the needs of mothers and children in Palestine and Israel.

The USPG Prayer Diary:

Tuesday 27 December 2016, Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist:


Pray for all mothers in Palestine who have stillbirths; the natal rate is four times higher than in nearby Israel.

Readings (Revised Common Lectionary, the Church of Ireland, Holy Communion):

Exodus 33: 7-11a; Psalm 117; I John 1: 1-9; John 21: 19b-25.

The Collect of the Day:

Merciful Lord,
cast your bright beams of light upon the Church;
that, being enlightened by the teaching
of your blessed apostle and evangelist Saint John,
we may so walk in the light of your truth
that we may at last attain to the light of everlasting life
through Jesus Christ your incarnate Son our Lord.

Post Communion Prayer

Grant, O Lord, we pray,
that the Word made flesh proclaimed by your Apostle John
may ever abide and live within us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

An icon of Saint John the Divine in the cave on Patmos listening to the voice that tells him to write

Continued tomorrow

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