Lowell Grisham Prayers of the People

Prayers of the People & Blessing

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
Rector, St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas 

Prayers of the People
The Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ

Presider:  Gracious and loving Creator, in the manifestation of Christ you have revealed to all the earth the mystery of your love, spreading your illumination and your abundant promises unto all humanity:  Hear us now and visit us with that light, as we pray for the needs of all creation, saying:  Arise, shine, for the light has come, and the glory of God has risen upon us.

Litanist:  Through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety may now be made known:  Help us, O Holy One, to manifest the boundless riches of Christ, becoming servants according to the gift of God's grace that was given us by the working of God's power. 
Arise, shine; for the light has come,
and the glory of God has risen upon us.

Let nations come to your light and rulers to the brightness of your day, O God, that they may rule your people righteously and the poor with justice, to defend the needy among the people, that there may be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more. 
Arise, shine; for the light has come,
and the glory of God has risen upon us.

Thwart the schemes of the powerful against the weak throughout the world, that wisdom may serve justice and the wise may follow the child. 
Arise, shine; for the light has come,
and the glory of God has risen upon us.

Manifest your Son to the peoples of our community and lead us to your presence, so all may see your glory face to face. 
Arise, shine; for the light has come,
and the glory of God has risen upon us.

Deliver the poor who cries out in distress and the oppressed who has no helper, as we pray especially for ___.
We give grateful praise for Christ, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.  Hear our prayers of thanksgiving, especially for ___.
We remember those who have entered into the mystery of your eternal life, especially ___.
Arise, shine; for the light has come,
and the glory of God has risen upon us.

Presider:  Gracious and loving God, we come before you with no gifts but ourselves:  Accept and receive our lives that we may be manifestations of your presence; let the light of your Spirit shine within and among us, so we may share in the mystery of your purpose of blessing for all creation, through Jesus Christ our Savior.  Amen.Â