First Week after the Epiphany

Readings
First Scripture Reading
1 John 5: 14-21
Gospel Reading
John 3: 22-30

Opening Prayer

Gentle God of Compassion, I’m amazed that a powerful prophet like John the Baptist did not compete with Jesus. True to Your presence and mission within, he knew and acknowledged his role, boundaries and limits. He know that Jesus was greater and had a different mission from You. He was the best man; Jesus was the groom! Help me to never compete with You – and try to be something or someone I am not. Gently empower and free me with humility, integrity, and truth. It really is comforting to know that we belong to You – that I don’t have to carry the whole world, even though I have messianic dreams and worries. You listen to our prayers like an attentive mother and father. Your loving presence so engulfs and embraces us that sin has no power over me – unless I choose to live and act in darkness and untruth. Sanctify me in truth this day Holy God! Humble me so that I do not compete with false expectations of You, of others, and of myself. Gentle me to be present to You as You speak and embrace me with day.

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