God of new beginnings
Below is the congregational prayer I wrote for worship this past Sunday. The service used both themes of Epiphany [wise men following a star to Jesus] and the story Jesus first calling his disciples in John 1:35–51.
God of new beginnings. You are the source of life and light and are eager to show us the path we should walk.
We hear you call out to us to follow you. Give us strength and courage to heed your call even though we may not know where you are leading us. Give us eyes to see and boldness to follow the star guiding us to your presence here on earth.
We hear you calling us to care for our sisters and brothers, here within our community and throughout the whole world – for we are all your children.
We pray for all people in places afflicted with the disease of war. For people displaced and distraught. God, it is hard to understand what help our prayers are in these situations, but still we implore you to bring your strong and loving arm into these places. Replace the hearts of stone of the leaders who choose to inflict this pain on others. We pray for weapons of love to heal these places.
We pray for those brought down by fear, despair, and discouragement. For those whose night skies are always cloudy with no stars to guide them. We ask that they might feel your loving embrace and begin to feel the warmth of hope.
And God, we pray with those who feel are feeling an extra dose of your love and joy. Thank you for their openness to you and for your work in their lives. Thank you for the light and love they bring into the lives of those they encounter.
Loving God, you have seen us under the tree and you have called us your child. Fill our hearts to follow you to be your love in the world. Amen
