Prayers: Lucy (304), Martyr
13 December
At the darkest hour, Lord God,
your Radiant Dawn breaks upon us,
scattering the shadows
and ending the darkness of the night.
As we celebrate the life of St Lucy
who, in the midst of danger and death, remained faithful to her calling,
may the light of your love enable us to see the beauty of your truth
and our eyes be opened to the presence of your Son,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Prayer for the Lighting of Candles
The people may be given candles which may be lit during a suitable hymn or song and / or accompanied by the following prayer:
Father of glory, holy and eternal,
let the light that filled St Lucy,
the light of Jesus your Son,
fill this space in which we have gathered,
and illuminate our hearts and minds.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus,
may our whole lives glimmer with hope
and glow with the love of Jesus,
who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.
God our Redeemer,
who gave light to the world that was in darkness
by the healing power of the Saviour’s cross:
shed his light on us, we pray,
that with your martyr Lucy
we may, by the purity of our lives, reflect the light of Christ
and, by the merits of his passion,
come to the light of everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.