January 4, 2024

An Epiphany Prayer for the Central Atlantic Conference

Holy, Loving and Gracious God,

As we gather together as the Central Atlantic Conference in this New Year, we come before You with hearts filled with gratitude and reverence. We give You thanks for having traveled safely through another year.

We thank You that your grace has brought us safe last year, and we believe that same grace will lead us safely through this year. We thank you, again, and again, and again, for coming to us as Emmanuel, God with us.

As we approach this season of Epiphany, we seek Your divine presence and guidance. We thank You for the light that shines brightly in our lives, reminding us of the transformative power of Your love. We know that with Your love, we will find our way.

Help us to be open to the epiphanies You reveal to us each day, that we may grow in wisdom and understanding of Your will for us. In our churches, may the light of Epiphany inspire us to be beacons of hope and compassion in the communities where we live and serve.

May we throughout this year be a united and uniting people, showing in a world darkened by hatred, bigotry, and division, the most excellent way of Your love.

Grant us the courage to stand up for justice, to speak out against oppression, and to extend a hand of welcome and inclusion to all who seek refuge and belonging.

As we journey through this season, may we be reminded of the Magi who followed the star to find the Christ child. Guide us, O Lord, on our own journeys of faith, that we may seek You with all our hearts and be transformed by your presence.

We pray for Your blessing of Light upon our congregations, our authorized ministers, local church councils, members, Association Committees and Councils, our Conference Staff and Board. We pray that you will bless us all with wisdom, discernment, and unity.

May we be a source of strength and support for one another, as we strive to live out as Your disciples in the United Church of Christ the teachings of the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Jesus Christ.

In this Epiphany season, may Your light shine brightly in our lives and in our communities. May we be vessels of Your love, grace, and peace, bringing hope to a world in desperate need.

God shine your light upon us brightly, so that we might let our light shine in our communities and throughout the world.

We pray these things in the name of the Light of the World, Jesus the Christ, Amen.