Proper Prayers for the 2nd Sunday after Christmas (5 January 2020)

For those congregations not keeping Epiphany on 5 January 2020.

Proper Prayers for RCL Christmas 2

Jeremiah 31.7-14 or Sirach 24.1-12; Psalm 147.12-20 (BAS 147.13-21) or Wisdom 10.15-21 (as a canticle); Ephesians 1.3.14; John 1.(1-9), 10-18

Collect of the Day

God of power and life, the glory of all who believe in you, fill the world with your splendour and show the nations the light of your truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.  [1]

or

Almighty God, you have filled all the earth with the light of your incarnate Word.  By your grace empower us to reflect your light in all that we do, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.  [2]

or

O God our redeemer, you created light that we might live, and you illumine our world with your beloved Son.  By your Spirit comfort us in all darkness, and turn us toward the light of Jesus Christ our Saviour, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.  [2]

or

Almighty God, you have filled all the earth with the light of your incarnate Word.  By your grace empower us to reflect your image in all that we do, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.  [3]

or

Gracious God, you have redeemed us through Jesus Christ, the first-born of all creation, whose birth we celebrate in the child of Bethlehem.  Grant us every spiritual blessing, so that we may live as your adopted children and witness to your glory with praise and thanksgiving, now and for ever.  Amen.  [3]

or

God most high, your only Son embraced the weakness of our flesh to give us the power to become your children; your eternal Word chose to well among us, that/so that  we might live in your presence.  Grant us a spirit of wisdom to know how rich is the glory you have made our own, and how great the hope to which we are called in Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendour of eternal  light, God for ever and ever.  Amen.  [4]

or

Hidden God, who made the face of Moses shine with the gift of your friendship:  teach us the law of love, carried by breath of spirit and planted in hearts of flesh that/so that we might be children again and world restored to you; through Jesus Christ, the Glory of God.  Amen.  [5]

Prayer over the Gifts

Source of love and life, receive all we offer you this day, and through the coming of your Son, help us to see in others him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.  [1]

or

Good and loving God, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among the poor to bring the riches of your grace.  As you have blessed us with your gifts, let them be blessing for others.  With the trees of the field, with all earth and heaven, we shout for joy at the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  [2]

Preface

Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; we give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord, who in the mystery of his incarnation was made perfect man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; in him we have seen a new and radiant vision of your glory.  Therefore with all the angels of heaven, we lift our voices and sing our joyful hymn of praise to proclaim the glory of your name.  [1]

or

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Saviour Jesus Christ.  In the wonder and mystery of the Word made flesh you have opened the eyes of faith to a new and radiant vision of your glory, that beholding the God made visible, we may be drawn to love the God whom we cannot see.  And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:  [2]

The Breaking of the Bread

We break the bread of life, and that life is the light of the world.

God here among us, light in the midst of us, bring us to light and life.  [1]

Prayer after Communion

Light eternal, you have nourished us in the mystery of the body and blood of your Son.  By your grace keep us ever faithful to your word, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  [1]

or

Radiant God, with our eyes we have seen your salvation, and in this meal we have feasted on your grace.  May your Word take flesh in us, that/so that we may be your holy people, revealing your glory made known to us in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.  Amen.  [2]

Blessing

May the God of infinite goodness scatter the darkness of sin and brighten your hearts with holiness; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.  Amen.  [1]

or

May the God of infinite goodness scatter the darkness of sin and brighten your hearts with holiness; and the blessing of God almighty, the Author of creation, the Word of redemption and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.  Amen.  [1 alt.]

or

May the God of infinite goodness scatter the darkness of sin and brighten your hearts with holiness; and the blessing of God almighty, the Source of all being, the Word of redemption and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.  Amen.  [1 alt.]

or

May the God of infinite goodness scatter the darkness of sin and brighten your hearts with holiness; and the blessing of God almighty, the Holy One of Israel, the Word of God incarnate and the Power of the Most High, be among you and remain with you always.  Amen.  [1 alt.]

or

May Christ, who by his Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with his joy and peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always.  Amen.  [7]

or

May Christ, who by his Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with his joy and peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Author of creation, the Word of redemption and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.  Amen.  [7 alt.]

or

May Christ, who by his Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with his joy and peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Holy One of Israel, the Word of God incarnate and the Power of the Most High, be among you and remain with you always.  Amen.  [7 alt.]

or

May Christ, who by his Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with his joy and peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Author of creation, the Word of redemption and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.  Amen.  [7 alt.]

Notes

[1]        The Book of Alternative Services 1985

[2]       Evangelical Lutheran Worship 2006

[2a]     Evangelical Lutheran Worship:  Leaders Desk Edition 2006

[3]       Alternative Collects for Years A, B & C of the RCL and Seasonal Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion 2019

[4]        Opening Prayers:  Collects in Contemporary Language 1997

[5]        Prayers for an Inclusive Church 2009

[6]        Revised Common Lectionary Prayers 2002

[7]        Book of Occasional Services 2003

N.B.  Text in italics are possible alternatives suggested by the Ven. Richard Geoffrey Leggett, Ph.D.