Prayers for Worship
Epiphany 5
by Ron Gordon

Mark 1: 29-39

Collect: 

Merciful Saviour, you show us your care for others in healing the sick and 
how your work may proceed by prayer and by proclaiming 
and teaching the nearness of the kingdom. May your people repeat 
your pattern in caring for others, in proclamation, and in looking 
after themselves as your sisters and brothers. We ask in your name, 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer:

God, Father of Jesus, and our Father, we delight in the word of the Gospel 
which shows Jesus at work proclaiming and  healing but not being swept away 
by public acclamation or demand. We see how like us he is in needing rest 
and prayer to allow himself to find new energy and affirmation from you.
 
Lord Jesus, we rejoice in all your works and marvel at your success.  
But you knew your purpose better than those who saw you then, 
or us as we reflect on you now. You knew as a human you were limited 
to what you could achieve and so focussed on the work you had come to do. 
Your task was to proclaim and teach, to cure and make whole, and through it all 
to reveal the Father’s love in the presence of God’s reign.
We who worship you today affirm you as Saviour and Lord: blessed are you forever.
 
Spirit who sustained Jesus in his work, and brought his church into being 
as the body of Christ, help us continue his word and work in the world. 
Guide and guard all Christians in our teaching and healing work, lest we think 
we must do everything and be everywhere, and do not take time for prayer 
and reflection on our mission.
 
As a community of Jesus we worship and adore you Father, Son and Holy Spirit, 
one God who is blessed for ever and ever.  Amen.

sunrise prayer
by Jenn Gordon
 
Mark 1: 29-39
 
O God, while it is still dark,
and the world has not yet found me
in this place, deserted of all other life,
demands and voices
demons and crowds
you alone are with me
source of power and strength
 
let your Spirit rest
on those who were lifted yesterday
may their service be
a revival for others,
through contagious healing to hope
 
comfort those who came
and left unchanged
plant in them a yearning to seek
and ask again
breaking down the barriers
keeping them from your love
 
and
as first light strokes
finger-pink across horizon’s brow
I ask you now
to bless my feet with courage
          so that I may walk on
to bless my hands with gentleness
          so that my touch is light
to bless my mouth with wisdom
          so that I may speak life
and to bless my heart with love
          so that I may pour your blessing
on all we meet
in this dawning day

(Comments to Jenn at jennieg@labyrinth.net.au.)