Daily Prayer for Wednesday, January 6, 2021- Epiphany of the Lord

“When through the woods and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees…”        
                                                                         —Carl Gustav Boberg, 1885

Preparation for worship
Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit.  Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship…

Opening Sentences                                                              Ephesians 3:7-8
Tell the good news throughout the earth;
the saving grace of Jesus Christ is for all.

Litany for Epiphany of the Lord      Book of Common Worship, PC(USA), 2018
Arise, shine; for your light has come!
The glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Nations will come to his light,
and rulers will seek his radiance.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
He will judge the people with righteousness
and defend the cause of the poor.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
The mystery of the ages is revealed;
the eternal plan of God is known to all.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Let us kneel down before him
to give him honor, glory, and praise.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Let us offer him all the treasures
of our hearts and lives.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
God of endless light, you sent a star--
rising from darkness,
guiding seekers and sages,
overwhelming us with joy.
Let the splendor of your dawning light
grow in us and in all the world
until the whole creation shines with your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Hymn of the Day                            
We Three Kings, sung by The Roches.  Listen and pray. 

Reading of the Day                                                             Matthew 2:1-12   In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world.  Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day.  Please pray especially for Susan Smith's brother-in-law John.  John has been in the hospital for six weeks, has suffered extensive organ damage, and is currently intubated.  His family is naturally distraught, especially with the limitations on visiting him.  Pray today for a bright, Christ-centered new year for yourself and all those around you.  As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God.

Benediction
Proclaim the good news,
be persistent in prayer,
do the work of the gospel,
and carry out the ministry
of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.