Prayer 1898: Second Sunday in Easter

Most Merciful God,
Creator, Redeemer, Life-giving One,
we gather around your altar
to give you thanks and praise,
living into a life shaped by Communion.

Break in past the locked doors of our hearts, O Savior,
and pour out your peace and grace
which surpasses understanding, we pray.

Help us to practice what we proclaim
while fed and gathered around your altar:
remembering our own forgiveness and healing,
fill us with zeal to be your Body in the world,
giving ourselves for the reconciliation of all. 

Empower us by the Holy Spirit
to breathe forgiveness, healing and mercy into the world,
to remember and embody your abundant love for all
as testimony of your risen life within us. 

Held fast within your embrace,
we place within your safe-keeping
all those who wait, or weep, or wander,
and ask your blessing upon those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 1806: The Feast of the Epiphany

Lord Jesus Christ,
you reveal the light of God to all creation,
and draw hearts to worship God from all peoples:
accept the meditations of our hearts
as we rise and praise you this day.

May we each make manifest to others
the hope that is in the Name of the Lord
and the Love Incarnate that comes into the world
in your humble birth and life, O Christ.
May we embody your healing power
and seek to follow in your ways, O Savior, 
and faithfully testify to your wisdom and grace
at work in ourselves, and in the world around us.
Help us to shine with a holy light
and place our gifts at your feet, Beloved Jesus,
that we may carry your reconciling love within us
for the life of the world
and the restoration of peace and justice.

Breath of Heaven, breathe upon us;
fill us with the Holy Spirit
and make us the face of Christ for those we meet.
We ask your blessing, comfort and presence
to rest upon upon these beloveds
whom we remember before You today.

Amen.

Prayer 1642: Casting wide our nets

St. Peter at the doors of the visitor's entrance at the Washington National Cathedral, with his net slung over his shoulder.

Eternal God, we open the doors of our hearts:
enter into our lives this day, and make us whole.
Reconcile us to You, and one another
 that we amend our lives
and repair our relationships.

Let the radiance of God's glory
shine forth from our countenance
and testify to God's unending mercy.
May we embody
the compassionate, healing love of Christ,
living as true disciples and companions in the Way.
Teach us to cast wide our nets,
drawing all to you in freedom, justice, and peace.

Draw near, O God, to the broken-hearted:
give your angels charge over those wait upon You.

Amen.