A PRAYER FOR EPIPHANY SUNDAY

A PRAYER FOR EPIPHANY SUNDAY

OT  Isaiah 60:1-9

60 Arise, shine; for your light has come,

    and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

2 For darkness shall cover the earth,

    and thick darkness the peoples;

but the Lord will arise upon you,

    and his glory will appear over you.

3 Nations shall come to your light,

    and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

4 Lift up your eyes and look around;

    they all gather together, they come to you;

your sons shall come from far away,

    and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.

5 Then you shall see and be radiant;

    your heart shall thrill and rejoice

Light within us a lamp

dear God

that we may shower the world

with love 

Many cower in darkness

from fear and hatred

lonely and unloved

ignored and abandoned 

waiting for a hand of friendship 

Give us the courage to love them

lift them up and hold them

so that they may know love

Light within us a lamp

dear God

that we may invite the world

to the feast 

So many have no bread to eat

nor water to drink

their children go hungry

and cry in the night

Waiting to be fed

Give us the will to feed

all who come to the table

and turn no one away

Light within us a lamp

dear God

that we may bring the world

peace among the nations

Wars rage upon the earth

conflict and chaos reign 

streets littered with the dead

terror blankets dreams

Waiting for the silence of the guns 

Give us the resolve to banish war

and extend to our sisters and brothers

the gift of Shalom

Light within us a lamp

dear God

that we may be 

a light to the world

Lovers and hosts

Peacemakers and neighbors

to each and every person

Amen