Here is a prayer of intercession from worship at St. Paul’s
Episcopal Church in Port Townsend, Washington.
It was written by Margaret D. McGee.
Prayer of Intercession for Epiphany
In the silences throughout these prayers, you are invited to hold up to God, either silently or aloud, the names of those you remember especially today.
Bathed in starlight, we pray
together
to the One who created all things, saying,
Show us your child, O God,
Show us your child, O God,
For we observed a new star at its
rising
and have traveled far, bearing
gifts.
Make your wisdom in its rich variety known through all
faithful people,
and give your holy church grace to bear the gifts of truth
and love
to all your children on earth.
[silence]
Show us your child, O God,
For we walk together in faith.
Give your justice to the nations and their leaders,
For we walk together in faith.
Give your justice to the nations and their leaders,
and give your mercy to all whose decisions
affect the peace and well-being of the world.
Where we have power ourselves,
open our ears to the cries of the weak, the poor, and the
needy,
and open our hearts to answer their call.
[silence]
Show us your child, O God,
For we walk together in hope.
Bless this community,
For we walk together in hope.
Bless this community,
that in your light we may each become a servant, one to the
other.
Bring us together in story, song, joy, and sorrow;
and let every daughter and son who comes among us
find kinship in this place.
[silence]
Show us your child, O God,
For we walk together in love.
Have mercy on those among us
For we walk together in love.
Have mercy on those among us
who journey in sickness, fear, or any kind of trouble.
Meet them on your road with rest, peace, and good cheer.
[silence]
Show us your child, O God,
For we walk together by your side.
We remember those who have died.
For we walk together by your side.
We remember those who have died.
[silence]
Your star goes before them. Show them your child, O God,
For they have traveled far to be with you.
Dear God, with longing and thanksgiving,
For they have traveled far to be with you.
Dear God, with longing and thanksgiving,
knowing that you hold this world and all its children dear
in your heart,
we pray this night for the grace to receive your gifts,
to lift up our eyes and look around,
and to offer back those same gifts to you and your world,
with love.
Show us your child, O God,
For we observed a new star at its rising and have traveled far, bearing gifts.
To the One who is the road on which we travel,
our companion along the way, and our journey’s end,
we pray in boldness and confidence through faith in Christ
Jesus,
Amen.
~ written by Margaret D. McGee, and posted on In the Courtyard. www.inthecourtyard.com
