08B*
A Call to Worship
Epiphany of the Lord Year B 2012
Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14

The Lord our God is Ruler over all things, and we
gather to offer our allegiance to our Lord and Ruler.
Great is the Lord our Ruler, whose mercy is endless;
and who is totally worthy of our love and trust.

The Lord our God is Ruler over all things, and we
gather to praise and give thanks to our Loving God
Great is the Lord our Ruler, who has infinite compassion;
and who is totally worthy of our love and trust.

The Lord our God is Ruler over all things, and we
gather with awed reverence before our Holy God.
Great is the Lord our Ruler, whose wisdom and
justice is fair to all who are poor and oppressed;
and. who is totally worthy of our love and trust. Amen.

---

Prayers of Petition
Epiphany of the Lord Year B 2012
Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14

Holy and Righteous God, Ruler and Sovereign of all
created things and people, in your mercy we ask that
you will be with all people who have the responsibility
of leadership, whether it is in large or small matters,
may your holy will be done through people, whom you
have empowered and blessed with these special gifts.

Compassionate and Caring God, in your mercy we ask
that you will be with all people whose daily life is governed
by the decisions and actions of other people. May your
justice and mercy be practised by their leaders, so that
your will and way may be the pattern of life for all people.

Gracious and Generous God, in your mercy, we especially
ask for your merciful care for all vulnerable people who are
unable to help themselves; or who are unable to understand
what is happening to them and why they have to follow the
instructions of other people. We pray too, for people who are
oppressed by leaders of unjust regimes and powers - that your
rule of justice and peace may become a reality for all people.

God of glory, joy and hope, through your mercy we give thanks
that you are a God who desires wholeness, hope and health
for all people; and we commit into your abiding care, all who
are in need of your love, your mercy and your blessing. Amen.

---

A Personal Meditation
Epiphany of the Lord Year B 2012
Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14

Righteous God, today I seem to be surrounded by stories
in the media about disaster after disaster, and so often it is
caused by inadequate leadership; or because people have
grabbed for power because of the so-called “prestige” of
being a world leader. Other’s seek power because of the
perceived access to untold wealth - never caring for
the people who are so often the source of that wealth.



When I look at the Bible, with all the range of stories there,
it seems that the present very definitely mirrors the past in
so many ways. In the Bible, there were also royal leaders
and leaders who grabbed for power and influence for their
own gain, but the message of the Bible has God as the
Supreme Ruler of all things, which is not echoed in the politics
of today’s world, with its various blocs of aligned nations,
or even in the denominational environment of “Church” politics!



Holy God, I am so thankful that there are people at the various
levels of community life, local, regional, national and international
life who are committed to serving God as the Supreme Ruler,
and who dedicate their life, their worldly goods, their gifts, talents
and time for the enrichment of human life; for the better health
of humanity; for improved educational opportunities; and for
the lifting up of human-kind to a more generous and caring life.
For these people, I give my thanks, and pray that they may be
blessed in their selfless service to a Higher Power, their God,
and to the care of their fellow human beings wherever they are.

---

Acknowledgements:
Unless stated otherwise, all Bible readings and extracts used in these weekly Prayers and Meditations are from
‘The New Revised Standard Version’ Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council
of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

*The additional weekly numbering is from the Revised COCU Indexing Scheme
COCU = ('Consultation on Church Union'); as it offers an easy sequential numbering
for the Revised Common Lectionary for the Church Calendar.

If any part of these Prayers and/or Meditations is used in shared worship, please provide
the following acknowledgement:
© 2012 Joan Stott – ‘The Timeless Psalms’ RCL Psalms Year B. Used with permission.

jstott@netspace.net.au

Download/view a pdf file of this document here: epiphofthelordb_2012.pdf

© 2012 Joan Stott - " The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year B