Responsive prayers by Margaret D. McGee, for use on or near Epiphany.
Bathed in starlight, we pray together to the One who created all things, saying,
Show us your child, O God,
For we observed a new star at its rising and have traveled far, bearing gifts.
Make your wisdom in its rich variety known through all faithful people, and give your holy church grace to bear the gifts of truth and love to all your children on earth.
[silence, for all faithful people and ministers]
Show us your child, O God,
For we walk together in faith.
Give your justice to the nations and their leaders, and give your mercy to all whose decisions affect the peace and well-being of the world. Where we have power ourselves, open our ears to the cries of the weak, the poor, and the needy, and open our hearts to answer their call.
[silence, for leaders and decision-makers]
Show us your child, O God,
For we walk together in hope.
Bless this community, that in your light we may each become a servant, one to the other. Bring us together in story, song, joy, and sorrow; and let every daughter and son who comes among us find kinship in this place.
[silence, for this community]
Show us your child, O God,
For we walk together in love.
Have mercy on those among us who journey in sickness, fear, or any kind of trouble. Meet them on your road with rest, peace, and good cheer.
[silence, for those with pain or sickness in body or spirit]
Show us your child, O God,
For we walk together by your side.
We remember those who have died.
[silence, for the dead]
Your star goes before them.
Show them your child, O God,
For they have traveled far to be with you.
Dear God, with longing and thanksgiving, knowing that you hold this world and all its children dear in your heart, we pray this night for the grace to receive your gifts, to lift up our eyes and look around, and to offer back those same gifts to you and your world, with love.
Show us your child, O God,
For we observed a new star at its rising and have traveled far, bearing gifts.
To the One who is the road on which we travel, our companion along the way, and our journey’s end, we pray in boldness and confidence through faith in Christ Jesus,
Amen.
These Prayers of the People were first used in the 2007 Epiphany Eve service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Port Townsend, Washington.
In the silences throughout these prayers, you are invited to hold up to God, either silently or aloud, the names of those you remember especially today.
Notes
The call, “Show us your child, O God” and the various refrains are inspired by the story of the Magi as told in Matthew 2.
Language about the mission of the church and the phrase “in boldness and confidence through faith…” are taken from Ephesians 3.
Language and inspiration about bringing God’s justice to the world comes from Psalm 72.
The phrase “to look up our eyes and look around” and inspiration for the reference to daughters and sons comes from Isaiah 60.
In the Courtyard 
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