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Answering God’s call

by
16 January 2015

In a new book, John Birch, a Methodist local preacher, provides prayers that follow the three-year lectionary. Here are his ideas for this Sunday, Epiphany 2 in Year B

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Opening prayer

You speak to us in many ways:

in the quiet of our worship,

the singing of our hymns,

the reading of your word,

the fellowship we share.

Open our ears and hearts

that we might hear your gentle voice

and, hearing, respond.

 

Adoration

You know us

and yet call us,

imperfect though we are,

to be your light in this world,

to bring wholeness and release,

heal the sick,

support the weak.

You know us, and yet call us

to be vessels of your grace.

 

That you should trust us with

this mission

is too difficult to grasp,

and the task,

 

in our strength,

is impossible.

You know us,

call us,

use us,

but more importantly

by your Spirit

empower us.

 

Confession

Sometimes, Lord,

we forget that you have

welcomed us

into your kingdom,

and prefer to walk within a

world

that daily tempts us.

 

Sometimes, Lord,

we forget the freedom given us

in your kingdom,

and prefer the shackles that we

knew

before you called us.

Remind us, Lord,

of the price you paid so we can

enter

into your kingdom.

Forgive, and accept our

gratitude

for such grace shown to us.

 

Thanksgiving

Leader: We give thanks for

your call

All: And we will follow

Leader: To be your witnesses

and bring the light of Christ

into this world.

 

Leader: We give thanks for

your call

All: And we will follow

Leader: To where you lead us,

for you will keep us safe

within your arms.

 

Leader: We give thanks for

your call

All: And we will follow

Leader: To be a powerful voice

where there is injustice

and suffering.

 

Leader: We give thanks for

your call

All: And we will follow

Leader: To show your love and

grace

in our lives as our

thanks-living offering.

 

From The Act of Prayer: Praying through the lectionary, by John Birch (BRF, £11.99 (CT Bookshop £10.79); 978-1-84101-619-1).

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