Prayer at the Table: Epiphany

Here’s a prayer of thanksgiving at the Table for Epiphany.  It was written by Moira Laidlaw, and posted on her Liturgies Online website.

The Great Thanksgiving: Epiphany

We give you thanks, O God, for making your love evident since the very beginning of time when you spoke the word which replaced the darkness of chaos with life-giving light. A light which has nurtured generations of people, and plants and creatures, great and small. A light which also revealed the fear and powerlessness caused by corrupt and evil actions. And so you spoke the Word which would once and for all dispel the darkness of chaotic lives. Through your love for the world the Word became flesh and lived among us full of grace and truth. The angels carolled glory to you in the highest heavens and peace to all people on earth, and we join with them and with all people to praise your holy name:


Holy Lord, God of endless love,
heaven and earth are surely full of your glory.
The angels sang of it—we have been lavished with it.
Blessed is he who was born that we might have life.
Glory to God and on earth peace to all people.


Holy God, as the travellers with their treasures were overwhelmed with joy on finding Jesus, so we also are overwhelmed on finding out the depth of his love for us.  For Jesus showed just how beloved we are to him, by loving us and giving himself for us.  On that night when he gave himself up for us, as he sat at the table and broke bread with his friends, he said: 'Take and eat; this is my body which is broken for you. Remember me each time you do this.' After they had eaten, he took the cup, and said: 'Remember me as you drink from this, for it is my life, poured out for you—the beginning of a new relationship with God.’

Send the power of your Holy Spirit upon these gifts of bread and wine, O God, that we may experience the presence of the Word-made-flesh—Jesus Christ.  Breathe your Spirit in us that we may be one body with him—living out his ministry in the world today and every day. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen

— Moira Laidlaw, on Liturgies Online.  Visit that site for many other excellent worship resources.