A PRAYER FOR LAST SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (MSG)

16-18 Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.

Shine through us, God

that we may bring light

to a world of darkness

Many live in the shadows

afraid to come out

afraid to be detected

unable to see around them

Huddled forms

Invisible stirrings

Silent lives making no sound

fearing to be heard

Shine through us, God

that our light can brighten their lives

Show them a path

that leads to your love

shatters every darkness

and leads to life with you

Shine through us, God

that we may bring peace

to a world of conflict

Many live amidst shot and shell

guns in the day

rockets in the night

soldiers on the doorstep

Widows and orphans

mourning and despairing

Tending the wounded

burying the dead

Shine through us God

that our light may bring them peace

Show them the ways of shalom

building neighbors

creating community

arresting the Gods of war

Shine through us, God

that we may bring a presence

to a world of loneliness

Many feel abandoned

Forgotten as the world races on

Cast out of the way

Sidelined from living

Youth left to raise themselves

Aged discarded as useless

Disabled pushed aside

Strangers encountered as aliens

Shine through us God

that our light may bring them love

Show them the power of fellowship

Embracing persons as they are

Empowering them to be more

Enriching them with grace and forgiveness

Shine through us, God

that we may bring light

to a world of darkness

bring peace

to a warring world

bring love

to a lonely world

Amen