A PRAYER FOR THE 8th SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY AND TRANSFIGURATION

A PRAYER FOR THE 8th SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

AND TRANSFIGURATION 

Exodus 24:12-18

12-13 God said to Moses, “Climb higher up the mountain and wait there for me; I’ll give you tablets of stone, the teachings and commandments that I’ve written to instruct them.” So Moses got up, accompanied by Joshua his aide. And Moses climbed up the mountain of God.

14 He told the elders of Israel, “Wait for us here until we return to you. You have Aaron and Hur with you; if there are any problems, go to them.”

15-17 Then Moses climbed the mountain. The Cloud covered the mountain. The Glory of God settled over Mount Sinai. The Cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day he called out of the Cloud to Moses. In the view of the Israelites below, the Glory of God looked like a raging fire at the top of the mountain.

18 Moses entered the middle of the Cloud and climbed the mountain. Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

You want to speak to us Lord?

You want us to climb up to the

top of the mountain

all by ourselves 

You want us to talk to us Lord?

You want us up there in the clouds

where no one can see us

all by ourselves 

You want to teach us Lord?

You want to show us how to live

so we can learn your ways

all by ourselves 

Then

You want us to come down Lord

Preach to the people 

teach them everything you taught us

and hope they will listen

You want us to come down Lord

Show them how to be your followers

demonstrate what discipleship is

and hope they will listen

You want us to come down Lord

Instruct them in paths of righteousness 

learn to pursue peace and justice

and hope they will listen

We will do it Lord

With fear and trembling we will climb the mountain 

and disappear into the clouds

and listen

and learn

and pray

We will do it Lord

We will come down from the mountain

and proclaim to the people

the Word of The Lord

the Good News

the Ways of Salvation

We will do it Lord

with your help

with your strength

with you love

We will do it Lord

Amen

A PRAYER FOR EPIPHANY

A PRAYER FOR EPIPHANY 6

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

15 See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Choices

That is what is before us

Choices

between right and wrong 

good and evil  

love and hate 

peace and war

life and death

You put them before us

asking us to choose

decide

pick one path

one option

one way to live

We settle for choices 

of selfishness and self-centeredness 

which will bring us

power and riches and glory

We have or seek the means

to use ego and greed

to overcome any one

persons or nations

to get what we want

We confess to you

and all of heaven

that we fall to the temptations

for our own desires

We stand before you

O God

deserving divine judgment 

of curse and death

Forgive us and renew us

that we may choose life

choose to give rather than receive

love rather than hate

make peace rather than war

Teach us the paths of righteousness

so we may walk beside our God

and rejoice in your glory

and receive your promises

of life

prosperity

and blessing

Amen

A PRAYER FOR EPIPHANY 5

A PRAYER FOR EPIPHANY 5

Matthew 5:13-20

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

You call us the salt of the earth 

to give flavor to life 

seasoning to bring newness

to vacant and lonely existence

Too often we are just stale

tasteless and plain

deadening any spice that might

give hope and meaning to others

Forgive us, Jesus

for not being the salt of the earth

Renew us and enrich us

so we may invigorate all

whom we touch with love and kindness

You call us the light of the world  

to shine forth in places

of shadows and evil

and break the power of darkness

So often we hide our light 

putting it away to protect it

afraid to cast our beams

across time and space

Forgive us, Jesus

for not being the light of the world

Empower us to cast our light 

to show the lost and lonely

the paths to warmth and caring

Praise you

Lord Jesus

for calling us with being

the salt of the earth

May our every act and word

bring out the best 

in everyone we meet

everyone we know

everyone we love

Praise you

Lord Jesus

for calling us to become

the light of the world 

May our lives and our deeds

being light to those

who have become lost 

and need help in finding their way

Amen

PRAYERS FOR THE FOIRTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

Micah 6:6-8

6 “With what shall I come before the Lord,

    and bow myself before God on high?

Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,

    with calves a year old?

7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,

    with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,

    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good;

    and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

    and to walk humbly with your God?

We try so hard God

try to please you

try to make confession

and bring offerings that you desire

We hope that we can find favor

by what we offer

Money in the plate

Baptizing our children 

Singing and praying

But you are a hard God

to figure out 

be sure we know what you want

What can we give?

He has told you, O mortal, what is good;

    and what does the Lord require of you

Justice

Kindness

Mercy

We know what you want

We always knew

Justice

Kindness

Mercy

Not any kind of justice

or kindness

or mercy

You want justice

that defends the poor and homeless

brings down the powerful

breaks the bows and spears

You desire kindness

that goes beyond charity to sacrifice

demands our talent and our time

and nurtures and empowers

You desire mercy

that forgives easily and often

shows compassion to the aged

and afflicted and the lonely

Justice

Kindness

Mercy

And

to walk humbly with your God?

To remember this is God's world

not ours

to know that God shapes it 

to God's will

and to know that whatever we do

or wherever we go

you are there

8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good;

    and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

    and to walk humbly with your God?

Give us the strength and courage

to do justice

act kindly

show mercy

and walk humbly with you

O God

Amen

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

    and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23 but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength

We know, O God

where our power lies

in Jesus

The crucified one

The crucified one stands 

against all powers and principalities

against all the winds and storms

against every attack

every temptation

every foe

Though evil surrounds us

The crucified one prevails

Though destruction rains down upon us

The crucified one protects

Though death stalks us

The crucified one resurrects

No wisdom is greater

No intelligence is sharper 

No brilliance is keener

No understanding is deeper

For in the crucified one

we know all we need 

No strength is greater 

No might can overcome

No arms can be victorious 

No power is greater

For in the crucified one

We will prevail

So in our hour of need

in every moment

in every place

we will look to you 

The crucified one

Lord Jesus

you who were faithful

to the pain of death

upon the cross

We praise you

and thank you

for this life and the next

and know that we will always 

seek wisdom 

and find our strength 

in you

The crucified one

Amen

PRAYERS FOR THE THRID SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

EPIPHANY 3

OT Psalm 27

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;

    whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold[a] of my life;

    of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evildoers assail me

    to devour my flesh—

my adversaries and foes—

    they shall stumble and fall.

3 Though an army encamp against me,

    my heart shall not fear;

though war rise up against me,

    yet I will be confident.

4 One thing I asked of the Lord,

    that will I seek after:

to live in the house of the Lord

    all the days of my life,

to behold the beauty of the Lord

    and to inquire in his temple.

In you, Lord God

and in you alone

I am safe

I am home

So much swirls around me

sickness and pain

surgery and chemo

I feel tossed on the wages

amidst their winds and rain

They sap my energy

trying so hard to keep

family and friends afloat

fearing we will be swamped

and left adrift upon

Only you can still the storms

and throw me a lifeline

be present in the anguish and doubt

guide me into the safe harbor

of your sheltering care and love

In you, Lord God

and in you alone

I am safe

I am home

Though I feel forsaken

and alone

left to summon strength

to face loss and hurt

extending myself beyond limits

Overcome with grief that

bends and breaks my heart

until numbness replaces feelings

and hope and memories fades

fatigued beyond endurance 

Only you can take my burdens

and make them your own

holding me up when I am ready to fall

drying my tears

and healing my brokenness

In you, Lord God

and in you alone

I am safe

I am home

You are my shelter

when I am lost

You are my strength

when I am weak

You are comfort

when I am mourning

You are my hope

when I am dying

In you, Lord God

and in you alone

I am safe

I am home

Amen

NT   Matthew 4:18-22

18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

We have been casting our nets

for a long time

Hoping to land a big catch

that would bring us riches and fame

Maybe we have been doing it wrong

Jesus

Maybe we don't have the right gear

best rod and reel 

to bring in the catch we want

Perhaps we need better bait

to haul in our dreams 

lures that would entice allies

who could asks us in landing 

The Big One

Tell us Jesus

are we on the right lake

standing where the we can 

cast into a big school

and land the prize winner?

What's that Jesus

What is it we should be fishing for?

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.

Fish for people

Catch them so they can follow you.

Is that what you want, Jesus?

We will need rods of faith

and reels of love

to bring people into the path

that you ask us to follow

We will need to go wherever

people are searching for answers

persons who are lost and looking

seeking hope in the darkness around them

We will cast our nets 

with our faith and discipleship

inviting others to seek you out

learn to pray and laugh and live

We will become part of your fleet

going out into all the world

speaking words of hope

preaching the gospel of peace

We will become like you 

Jesus

and fish for people

and bring them into the Kingdom

of love and mercy

Amen

Of David.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;

    whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold[a] of my life;

    of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evildoers assail me

    to devour my flesh—

my adversaries and foes—

    they shall stumble and fall.

3 Though an army encamp against me,

    my heart shall not fear;

though war rise up against me,

    yet I will be confident.

4 One thing I asked of the Lord,

    that will I seek after:

to live in the house of the Lord

    all the days of my life,

to behold the beauty of the Lord

    and to inquire in his temple.

In you, Lord God

and in you alone

I am safe

I am home

So much swirls around me

sickness and pain

surgery and chemo

I feel tossed on the wages

amidst their winds and rain

They sap my energy

trying so hard to keep

family and friends afloat

fearing we will be swamped

and left adrift upon

Only you can still the storms

and throw me a lifeline

be present in the anguish and doubt

guide me into the safe harbor

of your sheltering care and love

In you, Lord God

and in you alone

I am safe

I am home

Though I feel forsaken

and alone

left to summon strength

to face loss and hurt

extending myself beyond limits

Overcome with grief that

bends and breaks my heart

until numbness replaces feelings

and hope and memories fades

fatigued beyond endurance 

Only you can take my burdens

and make them your own

holding me up when I am ready to fall

drying my tears

and healing my brokenness

In you, Lord God

and in you alone

I am safe

I am home

You are my shelter

when I am lost

You are my strength

when I am weak

You are comfort

when I am mourning

You are my hope

when I am dying

In you, Lord God

and in you alone

I am safe

I am home

Amen

NT   Matthew 4:18-22

18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

We have been casting our nets

for a long time

Hoping to land a big catch

that would bring us riches and fame

Maybe we have been doing it wrong

Jesus

Maybe we don't have the right gear

best rod and reel 

to bring in the catch we want

Perhaps we need better bait

to haul in our dreams 

lures that would entice allies

who could asks us in landing 

The Big One

Tell us Jesus

are we on the right lake

standing where the we can 

cast into a big school

and land the prize winner?

What's that Jesus

What is it we should be fishing for?

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.

Fish for people

Catch them so they can follow you.

Is that what you want, Jesus?

We will need rods of faith

and reels of love

to bring people into the path

that you ask us to follow

We will need to go wherever

people are searching for answers

persons who are lost and looking

seeking hope in the darkness around them

We will cast our nets 

with our faith and discipleship

inviting others to seek you out

learn to pray and laugh and live

We will become part of your fleet

going out into all the world

speaking words of hope

preaching the gospel of peace

We will become like you 

Jesus

and fish for people

and bring them into the Kingdom

of love and mercy

Amen

A PRAYER FOR EPIPHANY 2

A PRAYER FOR EPIPHANY 2

OT. Psalm. 40

11 Do not, O Lord, withhold

    your mercy from me;

let your steadfast love and your faithfulness

    keep me safe forever.

12 For evils have encompassed me

    without number;

my iniquities have overtaken me,

    until I cannot see;

they are more than the hairs of my head,

    and my heart fails me.

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;

    

O God

Deliver us

from the troubles that surround us

We who are unloved

feeling abandoned 

relationships torn and tattered

We who are aging

deserted in lonely rooms 

never visited in nursing homes 

Have mercy on us

Surround us

with your everlasting arms

and most gracious love

O God

Deliver us

from the troubles that surround us

We who are poor

finding no work 

no paycheck for groceries or rent

We who hunger

whose cupboards are bare

and children cry out 

Have mercy on us

Shower upon us 

With your bountiful harvest 

and fill our stomachs and souls

O God

Deliver us

from the troubles that surround us

We who lash out in anger

believing conquest silences foes

and satisfies our wants and needs

We who are targets

of gang violence and acts of terror 

living in fear and hiding from enemies

Have mercy on us

Protect us from war and violence

providing safe harbor

in your everlasting Shalom

Hear us as we pray 

Your Son's prayer

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil

For yours is the Kingdom and the Power

and the Glory

Now and forever

AMEN

NT. 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— 6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

We praise you Lord Jesus

for enriching our lives

by your presence within us

We can live with grace and courage 

knowing that you walk beside us every step

lifting us from our descents into

bouts of defeat and depression 

We can risk ourselves

our lives and our fortunes

trusting that you are with us

saving us from times of trial

and protecting us from evil

We praise you Lord Jesus

for enriching our voices

to preach your Gospel

We can lift our voices

to speak for peace and justice

for you give us the words

to call for an end to war and violence

We can march in the streets

and disrupt the money changers

for you March beside us

your spirit pervades every struggle

We praise you Lord Jesus

for giving us true knowledge 

to discern the needs and hurts around us

We can be present with an aging parent

or sick and terrified child 

because our hands become your hands

our ears become your ears

We can stay at the the bedside 

or embrace at the graveside

because your living presence

reminds us that death is never the victor 

We praise you Lord Jesus

for enriched us

with your presence and speech

and knowledge

in every way

every day

Amen

BAPTISM OF THE LORD

BAPTISM OF THE LORD

OT. Isaiah 42:5-9

5 Thus says God, the Lord,

    who created the heavens and stretched them out,

    who spread out the earth and what comes from it,

who gives breath to the people upon it

    and spirit to those who walk in it:

6 I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,

    I have taken you by the hand and kept you;

I have given you as a covenant to the people,[a]

    a light to the nations,

7     to open the eyes that are blind,

to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,

    from the prison those who sit in darkness.

8 I am the Lord, that is my name;

    my glory I give to no other,

    nor my praise to idols.

9 See, the former things have come to pass,

    and new things I now declare;

before they spring forth,

    I tell you of them.

Take our hand Precious Lord

Baptize us to be 

your hands and voice

for righteousness and justice

Stretch for our hands to touch 

the blind that they may see

the glory of the dawn

and the smiles of their families

Strengthen our arms to lift 

the lame from their beds

so they may walk and run

the streets and neighborhoods

Embolden our courage for justice

to break the chains of the prisoner

let the captives go free

and the oppressed enjoy liberty

Enrich our voices for peace

to call for the end of war

and the sisterhood and brotherhood 

of all God's people

Take our hand Precious Lord

Baptize us to be your ministers

of love and grace

and heralds of Your Kingdom

now and always

Amen 

NT. Matthew 3:13-17

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

We come to the waters

We come to be baptized

We leave hoping

you are pleased with us also

We come to be cleansed

of all our sins

Washed in the blood of the lamb

redeemed and restored

We come to be claimed

by the One who baptizes 

who brings us out of the waters

into faithful discipleship 

We come to be called

your daughters and sons

inheritors of the Kingdom

you create for all who love you

We come to be commissioned

for deeds of love and mercy

spreading the Word 

preaching the Gospel of peace

We come to the waters

We come to be baptized 

in the name of the Father

Son

and Holy Spirit.

Amen