Prayers for Worship
Epiphany 3
by Ron Gordon

Mark 1: 14-20

Collect: 

Father God, in the person of Jesus your Kingdom draws near, and new opportunities for change 
and growth are offered through his word and work.  He called people to be with him 
and to share his journey and tell his story. They, like us, did not know the way 
until he showed them, through cross and resurrection, that he himself is the way to you, Father. 
Through such challenging and daring ways he led them; may he, by your Spirit, 
lead us also to know and share his way of saving love, in his Name. Amen.

Prayers:

Lord Jesus you looked on Simon and Andrew, James and John, in their everyday work 
and called them to discipleship. Such was your authority they left all to go with you. 
Forgive us if we imagine that certain religious places and conditions must be met for us 
to receive your call. You look on us and your Spirit reaches us wherever we are, 
and whatever we are doing.
 
Lord Jesus, you show us that you want people to be with you and to share your life. 
Your life was lived in community and you called your church into existence in the world 
to proclaim your message of the need for repentance and faith. Forgive us 
where we have fossilized rules and institutions which should live and grow through 
sharing your word and sacraments. You have shown us that some things must be broken 
for people to be healed and liberated as the children of God. Have mercy on us and forgive us, we pray.
 
Lord Jesus Christ, full of grace and truth, you come amongst us and offer us a place with you 
as your friends, to learn your way of life for others, a sometimes hard and perplexing experience 
which has cost and dangers. May you lead us and teach us so that with all your people 
we may know eternal life and love in the Kingdom of God. We pray in your name.  Amen.

sought and caught
by Jenn Gordon
 
Mark 1: 14-20

it begins with a look
more then mere casual glance
it’s the look of longing
because he can’t go it alone
 
eyes connect and more is heard
without words
than with the simple command
follow me
and all there seems to be
are reasons to resist
 
how can I follow this man
that I struggle to understand
whose words weave baskets filled from nought
whose love I sense, but never sought
 
on a journey that’s perplexing
sacrificial and arresting,
astounding and confounding
healing, testing, never resting
 
destination quite unclear,
open-ended, undefined
just follow me, he says,
follow me, leave all behind
 
and you can struggle to be free
but being caught is liberty.

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