JESUS AS THE SAVIOR OF ALL PEOPLE

I was searching for just the right prayer
for Epiphany season, and I found what I
wanted.

I want to share this with anyone who wishes to
pray it for the coming of the New Year.

Father, we thank you for revealing yourself to us in Jesus Christ,
we who once were not your people but whom you chose to adopt
as your people. As ancient Israel confessed long ago, we realize
that it was not because of our own righteousness, or our own superior
wisdom or strength, or power, or numbers. It was simply because
you loved us, and chose to show us that love in Jesus.

As you have accepted us when we did not deserve your love,
will you help us to accept those whom we find it hard to love?
Forgive us, O Lord, for any attitude that we harbor that on any
level sees ourselves as better or more righteous than others.
Will you help us to remove the barriers of prejudice and to tear
down the walls of bigotry, religious or social? O Lord, help us realize
that the walls that we erect for others only form our own prisons !

Will you fill us so full of your love that there is no more room for
intolerance. As you have forgiven us much, will you enable us with
your strength to forgive others even more? Will you enable us through
your abiding Presence among us, communally and individually, to live
our lives in a manner worthy of the Name we bear?

May we, through your guidance and our faithful obedience, find
new avenues in ways that we have not imagined of holding the Light
of your love so that it may be a Light of revelation for all people.

We thank you for your love, praise you for your Gift
and ask for your continued Presence with us, and bring
these petitions in the name of your Son, who has truly
revealed your heart. AMEN