Sisters and brothers,
our baptismal vows call us to compassion and mercy
on behalf of those in need.
We offer our prayers for the church and the world.

O God,
As we enter into a new year
We pray that we as your church
Would be given new eyes to see and new ears to hear.
Help us to rightly see one another,
Help us to rightly see our neighbors,
That by seeing them, we might care for them.

Grant us the grace of attentiveness;
That we, as a community, would have the humility
To both know and be known
To see and be seen,
To care and be cared for.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

   You hear us calling,
   You hear us calling,
   Abba Father

O God, you have made us to be one body and of one Spirit.
Remove from us all fear that would divide us.
Help us to serve you faithfully with a heart and commitment to unity.
Help us to see and celebrate those things which make us one,
Rather than focusing on those things which try to fracture us by fear.

This Epiphany season we are reminded to follow the light,
To remember our baptism which brings us into the community of faith,
And to reflect on the reality of God’s self-revelation in Christ Jesus.
May this season capture our hearts.
Help us to cultivate a desperation for you, O God.
And in the searching of epiphany, be surprised by your presence in our lives.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You hear us calling,
You hear us calling,
Abba Father

Almighty and everlasting God,
by your great mercy in Jesus Christ, your Son,
you have given us forgiveness of sin,
and all things pertaining to life and godliness.
Grant that your Holy Spirit may so rule in our hearts
that we may put to death all fleshly and worldly desires,
may serve you in holiness and purity,
and may give you continual thanks for all your goodness.

O God,
you revealed your Son in the waters of the Jordan
and anointed him with the power of the Holy Spirit
to proclaim good news to all people.
Sanctify us by the same Spirit,
that we may proclaim the healing power of the gospel
by acts of love in your name. Amen.

   Lord have mercy,
   Christ have mercy.
   Lord have mercy,
   Christ have mercy.