Day 300 | Wednesday, 13 January 2021

Day 300 - Audio Version

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Day 300 | Wednesday, 13 January 2021

 A week ago, we observed Epiphany Day.  It seems like that was a long time ago with all that happened on that day and since then.   I thought I would share some more Epiphany prayers today to remind us that even in the darkness, Jesus’ light outshines the darkness.

 “For people in darkness, Christ is the light.  For people in despair, Christ is the hope.  For people grieving, Christ is a comfort.  For people burdened, Christ is a friend to share the load.  For people anxious, Christ is calm assurance.  For all people, Christ is for you. For everyone, hear the call to follow Christ and be Christ to others.”

 “God of all worlds that are: like the wise men coming from far away, we would see that guiding star. We would follow them while they follow its light to the Manger. There lies the little boy whom you appointed as bearer of your compassion and redeemer of all who would acknowledge their need of redemption. May the brightness of your Son illumine our path as we strive to live as children of light. May your Word made flesh guide us through all the dark stretches and dark hours of our lives so that in your own good time, we may be welcomed, by your mercy, into heavenly Jerusalem where there is no night, ever. To this end prepare us for Jesus’ sake. Amen”

 “Show forth, O God, in power and peace what you have done and are doing in our world. Before some of us can sing a song of gladness again, O God, we have to get over something. We have a fear of your story, an estrangement from it. Some of us are angry. Some of us are hurt. And no one seems to notice. They keep telling us everything is going to be okay, but still we're hurt. Help us tell the truth without making people even more afraid of us.

All some of us want is the day before we were assaulted ... or hurt ... or betrayed ...or our spouse died. And we know we can't have any day back; we know that some days are just gone. And then comes Epiphany, the time when God is revealed. 

Reveal yourself, O God, to each one of us here. Bring us to your glory and help us move on to new days. In the name of Jesus, who is never far away. Amen.”

 “God of eternal hope, you place a light into every darkness and a star in every sky, and yet we prefer to walk in the darkness of despair and worry. We cover over the light of possibility with a flurry of worry. We walk bent over with care and concern and miss the reach of the stars. We fear the worst and distrust the best. We forge ahead on our own, not noticing your outstretched hand. We forget that there is never a moment that you are not with us, that your Son was called Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” You bring a candle of hope, a light of peace, the radiance of joy. Shine your light on our path and walk with us through all our valleys with the sun at our backs. Amen.”

 “God of our lives: In the midst of distractions, worries, fears, remind us to look up and to keep looking up in hope. We thank you for humble shepherds who allowed themselves to be aroused from sleep to discern that strange display of your grace in the night Sky. We praise you for the wisdom of the wise men, who were paying attention to the heavenly bodies and thus did not miss that odd little star with its portent of good news. We give you thanks for the perseverance of Simeon, who believed so deeply in the trustworthiness of your promises that he refused to die until he experienced their fulfillment when cradling the little Jesus in his arms.

God help us to stay alert to your word, wherever it may sound forth. Grant us courage to follow the light of any star you may have placed in our personal firmaments. And grant us patience so that, whenever some cherished promise of yours is delayed almost beyond endurance, we may nevertheless remain faithful to you as our loving God who keeps his promises.
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We hail you as children of light in the name of him who is the light of the world. Amen”