Prayer For Epiphany
Eternal Lord, as we gather in worship may we focus more fully on your presence. Help us to listen to your Spirit so we too can hear your gracious words of welcome, Come, follow me, the kingdom of God is near. Open our hearts and enliven our faith that we might follow you in our worship and witness now and every day this week. In Jesus' strong and tender name. Amen!
Almighty and everlasting God, creator of time and space of season and epoch, of birth and evolution of both living creatures and galaxies alike, hear us as we humbly come before you as we mark our brief passage of time as another year begins. We have heard the Christmas story, about how you, Father, came to live among us. As we try to understand what this means in our lives we pray that you will guide us in our requests for others in our prayers of intercession.
Lord have mercy upon us
Christ have mercy upon us
Lord have mercy upon us
Lord we thank you that you promised the possibility of making a fresh start at any time and not just as part of some half-considered new year resolutions. Help those who have recently made important decisions in their lives to see them through. Life is full of pressures which often pull and push us in directions we would, and should, not normally take. Give us strength of purpose and faith in you to take decisions seriously, to understand the consequences for others, as well as ourselves, and, always, to seek your guidance through prayer.
Lord have mercy upon us
Christ have mercy upon us
Lord have mercy upon us
At the start of this new year we are reminded of the worlds deafness to the message of peace sung by the Christmas angels. Preparations for war with Iraq rumble inexorably on with each new pronouncement on the seeking of a peaceful settlement. We also imagine how un-silent is life in today's Bethlehem and across Israel and Gaza. We pray for all caught up in conflict or its preparations. We think of British service men and women facing the uncertainty of action so far from home in Irag and Afghanistan. Father, give strength and courage to all peacemakers that they will not be dissuaded from the difficult decisions needed to bring about an end to open conflict or acts of terrorism. We also pray for Zimbabwe and the humanitarian crisis, seeking responsible government and an end to oppression.
Lord have mercy upon us
Christ have mercy upon us
Lord have mercy upon us
We pray for this, our own, country with its cultural and ethnic diversity, for Queen Elizabeth, our head of state, her ministers and all in authority, that they will govern wisely and with due regard for the needs of all people. We pray for all our people facing this New Year without some of the basics of life that we take so much for granted. We think of the homeless, the unemployed, the asylum seeker, the addict, the ex-prisoner. Lord Jesus who became a refugee from the oppression of Herod be with all those who find themselves marginalised from our affluent society. Support all who work through state and voluntary agencies to relieve their hardship and restore dignity.
Lord have mercy upon us
Christ have mercy upon us
Lord have mercy upon us
We pray for all families represented here today. Each one is made up differently and faces the normal ups and downs of family life in different ways. We remember that Jesus was born, nurtured and grew up in a family which would have known all the emotions that we know in ours. We pray that each family finds a place for that selfless love, revealed to us through the life, teachings and example of our Lord.
Lord have mercy upon us
Christ have mercy upon us
Lord have mercy upon us
We Pray for the world-wide church and pray especially for all peoples facing religious intolerance often by those who distort the teachings of their own faith for political ends. We think now of our Church here at St. Mark's and our sister church in the partnership at Putnoe Heights. We pray for our ministers and leaders, guide and support them and all who contribute to the Church's vision of service and witness.
Lord have mercy upon us
Christ have mercy upon us
Lord have mercy upon us
We pray for the sick, both at home and in hospital, or hospice. We think of the elderly, the housebound and those in care homes. And we pray for all who care to their needs, both professionally and in the family. Lord Jesus who responded to the needs of all those who had faith; comfort and sustain those who are in need of your grace at this time. As we share a moment of silence together, we bring before you those known only to ourselves and name them in our hearts.
Lord have mercy upon us
Christ have mercy upon us
Lord have mercy upon us
Especially do we pray for those who mourn the loss of loved ones, whether recently or some time ago. Let the knowledge of your resurrection in glory be comfort to all those who mourn.
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God those who have died and light a candle to symbolise the light of Christ which eternally shines and brings hope.
Merciful Father accept these prayers..... Amen
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Let us pray
[that we may be guided by the light of faith.]
Father,
you revealed your Son to the nations
by the guidance of a star.
Lead us to your glory in heaven
by the light of faith.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Let us pray,
[grateful for the glory revealed today
through God made man.]
Father of light,
unchanging God,
today you reveal to men of faith
the resplendent fact of the Word made flesh.
Your light is strong,
Your love is near;
draw us beyond the limits
which this world imposes,
to the life where Your Spirit
makes all life complete.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Arise, shine, for the Light of the World has come!
Darkness covers the earth and its people,
but the radiance of God's Light
burns away its shadows,
illuminates the smallest corner,
and heralds in the start
of a new dawn,
where hearts no longer fear,
souls might be set free,
and sister shall follow brother,
nation shall follow nation,
and kings and princes bow down in awe
before the one who comes to reign.
Arise, shine, for the Light of the World has come!
Alleluia!
Father God, the star that led the Magi to the stable announced to the world that its Saviour was born. Today we live in a world that is still covered by darkness, and still needing to make that journey to the stable door. May our lives reflect your light day by day, as we seek to serve where you have placed us. That we might be the means through which others can encounter Jesus Christ. Amen
Loving God, you have blessed us with the eternal gift of your Son Jesus Christ. Like the wise men of old, create within us the joy of giving, as we humbly offer the treasures of our lives so Christ might be truly honored and we might know his delight deep within our souls. In Jesus' name. Amen!