|
EPIPHANY
O almighty and
everlasting God, who manifested Your Son, Jesus Christ, to the wise men
of the East as the light to lighten the Gentiles, You have made Your
only begotten Son to be both the glory of Your people Israel and the
light to lighten the Gentiles. You have prepared Your salvation for all
people. You have established Your Church on earth as the keeper and
dispenser of the means of grace, that Your kingdom might come to all men
and that Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I boldly ask
that I be so endued with Your Holy Spirit that my joy in the Anointed
One increase, that I may give glory to You, and that by all I say and do
I may freely confess Your mercies among unbelievers. Let Your Church
shine as holy Zion, that the Gentiles may come to her light and nations
to the brightness of her rising, and that they with us and the whole
host of heaven may praise You and Your most holy name, and live forever
in Your presence in light and glory everlasting; through Your dear Son,
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.1
For the Sick
Dear Lord Jesus, when You walked upon this earth, You healed the sick, gave
sight to the blind, caused the lame to walk, and raised the dead. Now we come to You in
behalf of those who are suffering today (those listed in our Prayer Chain) and
pray that You would send them Your healing power.
Dearest Lord, You have suffered all things. You know and understand
their pain. We ask You to ease their suffering, to quiet their fears, and to direct their
eyes to Your cross. Grant them penitent hearts and by Your grace forgive their sins.
As they lie on their beds of pain, help them look beyond the ceiling of their room to Your
throne in the heavens. Take their hand in Yours that they may receive that peace which
You alone can give. Since the holy Word promises that "in everything God works for good
with those who love Him," teach them confidently to place themselves into Your gracious care,
saying, "Not my will but Yours be done." Hear our prayer for Your Name's sake. Amen.1
For Those in Military Service
Dear Heavenly Father, our hearts are in
distress when we think of the many young men and women of our land who are
called into military service, especially Jim and Andrew, to defend their country at great personal
sacrifice, sometimes contrary to their own convictions. Keep them
from becoming bitter or discouraged. Help them realize that Your
divine providence always controls their lives and that, come what may, all
things will work together for their ultimate good.
Grant them courage to perform their duties
well. Keep their minds and bodies pure. Shield them from harm
and temptation. In doubts and fears, give them a conquering faith. Enable
them ever so to live and to serve that they will be Your effectual
witnesses.
Dear Lord, soon end all strife and
establish peace among the people of this earth. Meanwhile, we entrust
our loved ones, our service men and women to your guidance and
care. In Jesus' name. Amen.
1
1 Lutheran Book of
Prayer, Concordia Publishing House, 2005© |
|
