Sola Publishing – Prayers of the Church
Second Sunday after the Epiphany – January 19, 2025
SOWeR Site - © Sola Publishing: www.solapublishing.com, 2025
(permission granted to active subscribers to reproduce this sheet for local congregational use)
Prayer of the Day
Historical Collect 
Almighty and eternal God, you restrain the powers of heaven and earth. Mercifully hear your people’s prayers for peace in our time. Grant this, we pray, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Gelasian Sacramentary, 7th Century)
Thematic Collect 
Gracious Lord, giver of all that is good, through the power of your Holy Spirit you abundantly bless your children with gifts for the building up of the body of Christ. Empower us to recognize and value the gifts of others and through the strengthening of faith use our own gifts for the work of the kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers of the Church
For Strength to Speak and Serve 
Mighty God, strengthen us as brothers and sisters in Christ, so that we may obey your will. Keep all shepherds faithful to your Word [especially …], so that they may speak your truth to the flocks to which you have sent them. Inspire us to speak for Christ so that all would come to know your love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 
For Healthy Marriages
God of love, we give you thanks for the gift of marriage and the union of man and woman to support and care for one another on life’s journey. Just as Jesus provided for the needs of the bride and groom at the wedding in Cana, so also we ask that you would provide for the needs of all families, that they would be strong and faithful to one another and to you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 
For Spiritual Gifts
God of glory, you are the source of all good gifts and you grant each member of the Body of Christ the gifts needed within the community of faith to do your will. Help us to embrace and develop the gifts you have given so that we might serve in humility and love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 
For Healing 
Heavenly Father, you care tenderly for all who suffer the infirmities of old age, illness, or injury of the body, and wounds to the mind and spirit. Be present to all who have any need of you for healing [especially …]. Comfort them by your compassion even as they wait upon healing and health and give them relief from all that ails them. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.