Prayers for Worship
Epiphany 2
by Ron Gordon

John 1: 43-51

Collect: 

Jesus, though your people love to hail you as Son of God and Saviour, 
you moved amongst us as one unknown, who asked people to make up their minds 
about yourself. You opened eyes and gave men and women the chance to make decisions: 
help us focus on you and the way you open for us into new life and love: 
we ask in your name. Amen.

Prayers:

Eternal God whose being is hidden in mystery, but made known to us through the prophets, 
and supremely in Jesus of Nazareth, truly Emmanuel, God with us: 
we offer our praise for all you have done, shown us and given us in him 
and we adore you as Father, Son and Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen

Lord Jesus, walking as a man amongst us, how can we tell whence you came, 
and where you go? How can we follow without knowing your destination? 
And how is your glory to be attained? But while we like to pry into your being, 
you look into us and know us through and through.
We cannot hide from your gaze: you know us and what we do 
and where our true interests lie: Lord, have mercy.

Holy Spirit, you help us in the way of Jesus and give us the right questions to ask about him: 
help us to accept the answers which lead us to the cross where his true glory shines through 
and his love remains undiminished: Christ, have mercy.

Father of Jesus, your beloved Son comes from you and goes to you, 
making you known and sharing your love which endures forever. 
Forgive our hesitance and our flight into fancies and fantasies without focussing firmly 
on Jesus and his word. Lord, have mercy.

God, you have presented Jesus to us, and he called ordinary people to take up the task of discipleship 
with him, that he might lead them into the understanding and the doing of your will. 
Your word reaches and calls us to know, trust and obey him: may we respond according to your will 
and bring glory to the Holy and Blessed Trinity, now and always. Amen.

come and see
by Jenn Gordon
 
John 1:42-51

hey, follower of the Way,
you want to take me
to see Jesus?

your outstretched hand beckons 
no fancy invitation, 
printed, signed and sealed
with a ‘respond if you please’
at some date in the future
just an open human hand
tilted towards me
‘come and see’ - now

and having nothing better to do
I follow you

I expect you’ll take me 
to the steps of St Paul’s 
or some suburban sanctuary,
we’ll enter, light a candle,
sit on hard wood pews with cosy cushions
then kneel to pray
and you’ll say
‘so, have you seen Jesus yet?’

instead
you lead me to 
housing commission homes,
then through the park
under cover of dark
to the railway station,
and on to the emergency shelter,
and with each touch, word, smile, sign, 

I recognise the face of Christ, 
and know 
that long ago
he has seen mine

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