December 31
31st December 2025
Daily Prayer (Morning)
Preparation
A Sentence of Scripture
To us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9: 6
I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2: 10,11
God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 1 John 4: 9
Versicles and Responses
O Lord, open our lips
All and our mouth will proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
All O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
All as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Praise the Lord.
All The Lord’s name be praised.
The Word of God
A Psalm
A Canticle
Which may be said here or between the readings
The Song of Isaiah
1 Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid.
2 for the Lord God is my strength and my might;
he has become my salvation.
3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
And you will say in that day:
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;
4 Make known his deeds among the nations;
proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
let this be known in all the earth.
6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen
One or two readings
Suggested Hymns
An asterisk (*) before the hymn number indicates that the hymn has been recorded for use in public worship by the Recorded Church Music Committee.
The Gospel Canticle
Benedictus
1 Blessèd be the Lord the God of Israel,
who has come to his people and set them free.
2 The Lord has raised up for us a mighty saviour,
born of the house of his servant David.
3 Through the holy prophets God promised of old
to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of those who hate us,
4 to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember his holy covenant.
5 This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hand of our enemies.
6 Free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous before him all the days of our life.
7 And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
8 To give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of all their sins.
9 In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us.
10 To shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen
The Apostles’ Creed
May be said
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayer
Kneel
Let us pray
Lord, have mercy
All Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy
Weekday Intercessions and Thanksgivings
The Cross of Christ: Reconciliation and Human Relationships
Loving Father,
you have reconciled us to yourself in Christ;
by your Spirit you enable us to live as your sons and daughters.
Intercession
We pray for [Personal Relationships]
the home, and family life ...
children deprived of home ...
friends, relations and neighbours ...
relationships in daily life and work ...
those who are estranged ...
those who feel unloved ...
all ministries of care ...
Thanksgiving
Loving Father, we give you thanks
for the obedience of Christ fulfilled in the cross,
his bearing of the sin of the world,
his mercy for the world, which never fails ...
for the joy of loving and being loved,
for friendship,
the lives to which our own are bound,
the gift of peace with you and with one another ...
for the communities in whose life we share
and all relationships in which reconciliation may be known ...
Concluding Prayer
Help us to share in Christ’s ministry
of love and service to one another;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who in the unity of the Holy Spirit
is one with you for ever. Amen.
The Collect of the Day
Almighty God,
who wonderfully created us in your own image
and yet more wonderfully restored us
through your Son Jesus Christ:
Grant that, as he came to share in our humanity,
so we may share the life of his divinity;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Alternative collects
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord,
to know you is eternal life, and to serve you is perfect freedom:
Defend us in all assaults of our enemies,
that we, surely trusting in your protection,
may not fear the power of any adversaries;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everliving God,
we give you thanks for bringing us safely to this day:
Keep us from falling into sin or running into danger,
and in all things guide us to know and do your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Go before us, Lord, in all our doings, with your most gracious favour,
and further us with your continual help;
that in all our works begun, continued and ended in you,
we may glorify your holy name,
and finally by your mercy attain everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Heavenly Father,
in whom we live and move and have our being:
We humbly pray that your Holy Spirit may so guide and govern us
that in all the cares and occupations of our daily life,
we may never forget your presence
but may remember that we are always walking in your sight,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Going out as God’s people
The Lord be with you
All and also with you.
Let us bless the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.
All Amen
To the King of Ages, immortal, invisible, the only God
be honour and glory for ever and ever.
All Amen
May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the Holy Spirit
you may abound in hope.
All Amen