For February 5, 2023 --- Epiphany 5A

 PRAYER FOR AND ASSURANCE OF GRACE
God who is revealed in many ways, during this season of Epiphany,
we open our eyes and hearts to see where and how you are active in our world.
God of wisdom, a hidden mystery,
we try to understand your wisdom, to be led by the Holy Spirit.
However, all too often,
we fail to find your hidden wisdom, we ignore the leading of the Spirit
we follow the way of common sense, or the way of our own best interests,
we preference human wisdom, the way of the world,
and so we stray from the path, sometimes damaging our neighbours, ourselves, and the world along the way.
Gracious God, who continues to offer us the way of wisdom,
through your grace and mercy, forgive our stubbornness and wayward wandering,
lead us back to the path that leads to life and love. In Jesus’ name we pray.
...time of silent prayer...
Paul writes: “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love [them]”. In God’s wisdom grace, mercy and forgiveness have a place and power far beyond human wisdom or conception. Through the grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ we are forgiven, renewed, and moved back toward the way of true, hidden, Godly, wisdom.
Thanks be to God! May the Spirit lead us on wisdom’s path. Amen.

FOr JAnuary 22, 2023 -- Week of Prayer For Christian Unity

 

PRAYER FOR AND ASSURANCE OF GRACE
God, you have called us to be the church,
part of a single body with many parts, working together to advance the Kingdom.
You have called us to be united in our diversity,
not all the same, not always agreeing, but still working for a common goal.
But if we are totally honest...
we sometimes do diversity better than unity, sometimes we divide ourselves into camps.
We proclaim, “I follow Luther” or Calvin or the Pope or Wesley,
or I am United, or Lutheran, or Presbyterian, Evangelical or Progressive
Each thinking that our way is the right way, or the best way, or even the only way.
And too often quick to point out the flaws of other ways.
For those times we divide the Body of Christ, when we break the unity we are called to build up,
forgive us, lead us to repair and rebuild the broken body.
...time of silent prayer...
Here is Good News: Though we are good at building walls God is good at tearing them down.
The church may seem divided but Christ is not divided.
God calls us to share our gifts as part of a larger whole, God is at work building a unified Kingdom and God keeps inviting us along for the ride.
In grace our divisions are overcome and we are called to be the church.
Thanks be to God. Amen.