P5. The fifth in a series of Prayers of the People

(see entry 736 for an explanation)

PRAYERS FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

Sunday, January 9, 2011

We begin this new season calling on the God who gives breath and spirit to the people, humbly responding to Light of the Nations, Grant us the blessing of Peace.

To the God who gives breath and spirit to the people and causes the waters to rush, the thunder to sound, the flames to split, and has created the trees, flowers, and meadows of the wilderness, and the streets, alleys, and buildings of our cities, we pray your blessings upon all of your church, the entire world of your people, the entire being of your creation, praying Light of the Nations, Grant us the blessing of Peace.

We pray in the Anglican Cycle for the Diocese of Leicester in Canterbury, England.  We pray in the Diocese of Kentucky for Saint Peters in Pleasure Ridge Park, and in our Highland Community Ministries, we pray for Calvary Lutheran Church.  To the God who gives them the leaders and members of these outreaches of your love, also give them the human and capital resources to fulfill your will, praying Light of the Nations, Grant us the blessing of Peace.

We pray for our own civil authorities.  We pray for our new mayor Greg and for those in his administration.  We pray for the Kentucky General Assembly as it convenes a new session in Frankfort.  We pray for the Congress in Washington, and we pray for our president Barack and all those in our governments.  We pray especially for the safety and safe-return home of the women and men in uniform wherever their service has stationed them.  We pray that all of these leaders work to bring justice to the people they serve, to bring healing to those afflicted, to bring freedom to those unjustly imprisoned, to bring comfort to those in want, to bring light to the darkness of many, praying Light of the Nations, Grant us the blessing of Peace.

We pray for our parish needs great and small, for our rector Tim, our deacon Eva, and all those in our ministries: of music, of food, of comfort, of hospitality.  We pray for those on Advent's prayer list, for [names go here].  To the God who shows no partiality to those who believe, we seek a guiding hand, a comforting word, a compassionate soul, and a healing heart, praying Light of the Nations, Grant us the blessing of Peace.

To the God who proclaimed Jesus his beloved Son, we pray for all the daughters and sons of God, sisters and brothers of Christ, especially those who have slipped the bonds of this temporal home and place, remembering [any deceased of Advent Parish] that they and all are accepted into the grace and mercy of your heavenly kingdom of eternity, praying Light of the Nations, Grant us the blessing of Peace.

Celebrant:  God of the stars of the night and the light of the day, our beacon and guide as we travel from season to season and year to year, hear these prayers of your people, as we come to you in imitation of the Magi, paying homage and seeking direction, asking that let your light shine upon the nations, your glory rise upon us, and that we be granted the blessing of Peace in abundance, now and forever.  Amen.