O Lord, on the Second Sunday after The Epiphany, may we see once again the revelation of your light to our world. Brighten the corners of the world when shadow falls upon them. Help us to see and know that you are with us always.

 

We pray for our sisters and brothers in the United States of America that the transition to a new president will be peaceful, that it will bring them a sense of hope, renewal and wholeness.

 

We pray especially now for all those throughout the world who are affected by the Coronavirus. We pray for those who are ill. We pray for their loved ones and for their caregivers. We pray for healing. And we pray for triumph over these tiny microbes that are having such a massive impact on the people in all lands across the globe. We pray especially for those nations of the world that are affected of which we hear little in the media.

 

We pray, O Lord, that you will encourage all doctors, nurses, all other healthcare workers and scientists who are growing weary of the tasks before them. Give them strength, courage, and stamina to prevail. We pray for each of them, for their families and for their loved ones.

 

We pray to you, O Lord, for hope in our own corner of the world. We pray that your presence in our hearts will enable us to see beyond the darkness of worry and fear so that we recognize how your light makes a positive difference on the steps of our journey.

 

We pray especially for the people of St Matthew – St Aidan and for the people of St Luke’s. Let us remember in our prayers Sylvia in Buckhorn and her daughter who will undergo surgery this week. We pray that they both may have courage and that the care she receives will bring healing and wholeness. We pray also for Peggy and Donnie and that Donnie continues in his recovery. May Jesus be a beacon of hope for them.

 

In Peterborough, we pray especially for Cindy and for David. Continue, Lord Jesus, to support both of them and their families as they seek healing. Give them strength and courage.

 

In Peterborough we also give thanks for the life and witness of Gwenn Simpson. We pray that her soul rests in peace with you. We pray especially for Budd and for their children and their families. Resquiate in pace.

We pray for all who have died that their souls rest in peace.

 

Let us pray now also … in a moment of silence … for those known to each of us who are in need of our prayer. We hold each of them up to you, O Lord, for your love and care.

 

We give thanks to you for all the blessings that you have bestowed upon us as members of your communities of faith. We give thanks for the blessings you give to our parishes. Help us always to recognize those gifts and guide us to use them always for the benefit of others, especially for those in need.

 

Most of all, Lord Jesus, we give thanks for you, for your love, acceptance and encouragement... for your presence in our lives. You beckon us to come and see …and to see ever greater works that you do. We thank you for that call. May we harken to your teachings and respond to your call. Amen.

 

Collect of the Day

Almighty God,
your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
is the light of the world.
May your people,
illumined by your word and sacraments,
shine with the radiance of his glory,
that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed
to the ends of the earth;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

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Prayers except Collect - The Rev'd W Glenn Empey