Monday, January 13, 2020

Proper Prayers for Epiphany 2A (19 January 2020)

Proper Prayers for RCL Epiphany 2A


Isaiah 49.1-7; Psalm 40.1-12 [NRSV 40.1-11]; 1 Corinthians 1.1-9; John 1.29-42

                                  

Collect of the Day


Almighty God, your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ is the light of the world.  May your people, illumined by your word and sacraments, shine with the radiance of his glory, that/so that he may be known, worshipped and obeyed/followed to the ends of the earth; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.  [1]
or
Holy God, our strength and our redeemer, by your Spirit hold us forever, that/so that through your grace we may worship you and faithfully serve you, follow you and joyfully find you, through Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord.  Amen.  [2]
or
Steadfast God, you have enriched and enlightened us by the revelation of your eternal Christ.  Strengthen us to walk the path of his teaching, so that by word and deed and in the power of the Spirit  we may manifest the gracious news of your faithfulness and love.  Amen.  [3]
or
Redeemer of Israel, you called us from before our birth to follow in your ways:  meet us in our searching and turn our eyes and hearts to the one who gives his life for the world; through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.  Amen.  [3]
or
Merciful God, you sent your Son, the spotless Lamb, to take upon himself the sin of the world.  Make our lives holy, that/so that your Church may bear witness to your purpose of reconciling all things in Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.  Amen.  [4]

Prayer over the Gifts


Living God, you have revealed your Son as the Messiah.  May we hear his word and follow it, and live as children of light.  We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.  Amen.  [1]
or
Holy God, gracious and merciful, you bring forth food from the earth and nourish your whole creation.  Turn our hearts toward those who hunger in any way, so that all may know your care; and prepare us now to feast on the bread of life, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.  Amen.  [3]
or
God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever.  You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine.  Nourish us with these gifts, so that we might for the world signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.  Amen.  [3]
or
Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things.  Through your goodness  you have blessed us with these gifts:  our selves, our time and our possessions.  Use us, and what we have gathered, in feeding the world with your love, through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.  Amen.  [3]
or
God of mercy and grace, the eyes of all wait upon you,  and you open your hand in blessing.  Fill us with good things at your table, so that we may come to the help of all in need, through Jesus Christ, our redeemer and Lord.  Amen.  [3]
or
Merciful God, as grains of wheat scattered upon the hills were gathered together to become one bread, so let your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom, for yours is the glory through Jesus Christ, now and for ever.  Amen.  [3]

Preface


Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; you are the source of light and life for all your creation, you made us in your own image, and call us to new life in Jesus Christ our Saviour.  Therefore we praise you, joining our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.  [1]
or
Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; we give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord, who on this first day of the week overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.  In our unending joy we echo on earth the song of the angels in heaven as we raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.  [1]
or
Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; by water and the Holy Spirit you have made us a holy people in Jesus Christ our Lord; you renew that mystery in bread and wine and nourish us, to show forth your glory in all the world.  Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the holy people who have served you in every age, we raise our voices 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; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.  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]

Prayer after Communion


God of glory, you nourish us with bread from heaven.  Fill us with your Holy Spirit, that/so that through us your light may shine in all the world.  We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.  [1]
or
We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life.  In your mercy, strengthen us through this gift, in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  [3]
or
O God, we give you thanks that you have set before us this feast, the body and blood of your Son.  By your Spirit strengthen us to serve all in need and to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  [3]
or
God of abundance, with this bread of life and cup of salvation you have united us with Christ, making us one with all your people.  Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, so that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.  [3]
or
Gracious God, in this meal you have drawn us to your heart, and nourished us at your table with food and drink, the body and blood of Christ.  Now send us forth to be your people in the world, and to proclaim your truth this day and evermore, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.  Amen.  [3]
or
O God, our life, our strength, our food, we give you thanks for sustaining us with the body and blood of your Son.  By your Holy Spirit, enliven us to be his body in the world, so that more and more we will give you praise and serve your earth and its many peoples, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.  Amen.  [3]

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.

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