Morning Prayer for Advent

Enraptured by the thought of Thy blessed coming in the flesh, I leave my couch, and lift up my hands to Thee, Thou only begotten Son of God, from whom cometh all my help. Thou comest not only to rescue and save the world, but comest for my benefit, in order that I too may live and find my sufficiency in Thee. Why then should I not rejoice? Why should I not be glad?

O Jesus, since Thou appearest on earth in the form of sinful flesh for my sake, enter into my heart and sanctify it wholly. Prepare it for Thyself, and make it Thy habitation. Strengthen my faith, and fill me with Thy love, that I may prefer Thee to the lusts and pleasures of the world. And should the world and its sins — pride, arrogance, anger, boastfulness, or other fleshly works — come to me, and say, “In this heart we will dwell, here we will reign, here we will establish ourselves”; then let me by Thy grace resist them, and say, “Depart from me, ye sins; go back thou world: this is the temple of the Lord. Away! Away! I have no room for you; ye cannot dwell here. My Jesus is with me; I have yielded myself entirely to Him: He shall rule over me; His I will remain in time and eternity.” O how happy I shall be, if Thou wilt abide with me, and enable me to overcome the world and every enemy of my soul!

O my Saviour, Thou didst come into the world to save sinners: have mercy, therefore, on me also, and enter into my heart. Thou didst, indeed, long ago, even before I was born, choose my soul for Thy habitation; and Thou didst prepare it for this purpose in Holy Baptism, cleansing me with Thy precious blood from the guilt of my sinful state. But, alas, I have wandered from Thee; I have defiled myself by willful sin; I have driven Thee from me by my evil ways. Now, however, I come to Thee again; I open to Thee the door of my heart; I long earnestly for Thee. As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee. O my God and Saviour, have mercy upon me, and abide with me. I vow to Thee eternal fidelity. Unite me with Thee so firmly, that nothing shall henceforth separate me from Thee. Let Thy Holy Spirit permeate my spirit, and lead me in all my ways. Let me ever follow and cling to Thee, and through Thee obtain eternal salvation. Amen.