Arise, shine, for your light has come. (Isaiah 60:1)
I give you as light to the nations that my salvation shall reach to the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 49:6)
O God of Epiphany light and love, we pray for your light in our country. As we watch with dismay images of all that is unfolding in Washington, D.C., we turn to you with longing hearts. We are a people who love our country and deeply desire to see healing in our land.
The Light of Christ shatters the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it. We believe this as we pray for the cessation of violence and the halting of insurrection.
We pray for all those elected to public leadership and all those in public service in Washington, D.C., this night. We pray that they will be safe from harm. May self-serving ambition not have its way among them or among us. May they and we do what is right and good and honorable in your sight.
We pray for a peaceful transition as Congress certifies the election and as President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris soon take the oaths of office. We pray for those who are deeply disappointed as we pray for those who are greatly heartened in this season of local, state and national elections.
We thank you for your brilliant and eternal light, loving God, and for your powerful presence in our lives and in our life together. Grant to us all the peace that only you can give, and use us as witnesses to your love this night and always.
In the name of the Triune God, we pray.
Amen.