PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Cycle C: 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, Proper 1, January 16, 2022
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Cycle C: 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, Proper 1, January 16, 2022
Isaiah 62:1-5: (Zion shall be the beautiful and beloved bride of God)
Psalm 128: (The blessedness of family life for those who love God)
RCL/ELW: Psalm 36:5-10: (God’s love, judgments, salvation are for all. “In your light we see light.”)
1 Corinthians 12:1-11: (no one speaking by the Spirit of God says “Let Jesus be cursed;” no one says “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit)
John 2:1-11: (Wedding at Cana)
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Let us draw near to the Throne of Grace, offering prayer and supplication on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.
A brief silence
Holy God, thank you for loving your people so passionately that the best human analogy is that of a wedding, and of the love between a bride and bridegroom. Forgive us when we can’t properly hear or understand these words! Thank you for the healing and forgiveness that you bestow in Jesus. Thank you for your Holy Spirit, who constantly forms us into Christ’s image and his bride.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Adorn your Church with faithful teaching and preaching, and with deeds of mercy and reconciliation. Grant that its worship befits the adoration and delight of a bride for her beloved. Overshadow your persecuted servants with your Holy Spirit. Let them bless the Name of Jesus their Lord. Let their tormentors repent of cursing his Name.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Give the wedding-presents of joy and faithfulness, forbearance and forgiveness to all married couples. Bring healing to homes fractured by sin and suffering. Gather those who are single – by choice or circumstance – into your loving embrace. Form us all into your big, boisterous, and blessed family.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, for many of our congregations “we are family” is very literally true! Bind us together with the cords of your love, as well as our kinship ties and traditions. Make this congregation a place where many are adopted into your family, and where the bounties of your blessings are lovingly shared with all.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Let your steadfast love and righteousness dwell in the hearts of our elected and appointed leaders; in the minds of all who take counsel for the nations; and in the actions of everyone in positions of authority in our society. Give us grace to share the gifts and skills you have so generously bestowed – especially with the poor and lonely, the suffering and the sorrowing.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We plead on behalf of everyone who struggles with pain, grief, addiction, fear, shame, doubt, or despair. We lift before you this day the needs of: {List.} Give them courage to cling to you in times of trouble. And give to those who care for them a double portion of your compassionate and loving Spirit.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Thank you, heavenly Father, for all our beloved dead who clung faithfully to your promise of salvation. Dry our tears and ease our sorrow. Give us grace to live in faith toward you, and with fervent love for one another. Then, by your great mercy, gather us, with all whom your dear Son is pleased to call his bride and his beloved, at the table of that marriage feast which has no end.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Graciously hear, and generously answer our prayers, dear Father, in accordance with your wisdom and mercy for us. We pray in the name of your dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.