A PRAYER FOR EPIPHANY (OT)

Psalm 72

1 Endow the king with your justice, O God,

    the royal son with your righteousness.

2 May he judge your people in righteousness,

    your afflicted ones with justice.

3 May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,

    the hills the fruit of righteousness.

4 May he defend the afflicted among the people

    and save the children of the needy;

    may he crush the oppressor.

5 May he endure[a] as long as the sun,

    as long as the moon, through all generations.

6 May he be like rain falling on a mown field,

    like showers watering the earth.

7 In his days may the righteous flourish

    and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.

God of glory

God of might

We pray for justice

We dwell in a land

where it comes infrequently

where chaos often overtakes

our orderly and quiet ways

We pray for peace

We desire an end to the violence

An end to the shootings

An end to the madness

An end to so much loss

We pray for righteousness

We live in fear of the other

We hide from them

Shrink from encountering them

Avoiding their looks, their cries, their needs

We pray for justice

We pray for peace

We pray for righteousness

Come Lord Jesus

and show us the way

Remind us O Just and Holy One

to have justice

we must be just

Remind us Prince of Peace

to have peace

we must live peacefully

Remind us Righteous King

to have righteousness

we must behave rightfully

Show us justice begins when

the hungry are fed

the blind can see

the poor sleep warmly

the lame dance joyously

Remind us peace comes when

swords are replaced by plows

tears are vanquished by laughter

disease is defeated by wellness

hatred overturned by loving

Teach us righteousness appears when

our neighbor is seen as our friend

hand of the stranger is grasped

the sick and lonely are comforted

forsaken and rejected are loved

Come Just One

Come Prince of Peace

Come Righteous King

Come Lord Jesus

Amen