- Bible reading: Isaiah 60 Verses 1-6
- Bible Reading: Matthew 2: 1-12
- Epiphany Prayer of Confession Loving God, you guided the wise men to Bethlehem, offering a light for their path, and in faith they responded. Forgive us that all too often we fall short of their example. Gracious Lord, have mercy. You offer us guidance in innumerable ways – through the light of your word, the illumination of your Holy Spirit, the fellowship of your church, and the encounter of prayer, yet so often we either fail to hear or refuse to see. Gracious Lord, have mercy. We are too preoccupied with our own small affairs, eyes only for the immediate moment, our vision impeded by trivial concerns, so we fail to recognise where you are leading us, Gracious Lord, have mercy. We believe we know just where we are going, just what we want from life, and exactly how we can get it, and we resist any suggestion that we need to think again. Gracious Lord, have mercy. Loving God, forgive us our foolishness, our stubbornness, our weakness. Gracious Lord, have mercy. Forgive our pride, our lack of faith, our closed minds. Gracious Lord, have mercy. Forgive us for ignoring your guidance, for resting your will, and as a result so often walking in darkness. Gracious Lord, have mercy. Meet with us again we ask, and may the light of your love shine in our hearts, so that we cannot but see it or fail to respond in grateful praise and joyful service. Gracious Lord, have mercy, in the name of Christ .Amen
