kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth

And set all your people free to praise you in Christ our Lord. It’s really heartbreaking to think of the huge numbers of people around the world who aren’t free to praise God. There are far too many people who risk their very lives by continuing to praise and worship God.

I am so fortunate, living, as I do, in the United Kingdom. For me, I have a real choice in whether I do praise and worship God, or not. The little misunderstanding, and mickey taking, I might face because of my Christian faith is nothing in comparison to the persecution some face. There are people who put their very lives on the line to attend a Church service. The classic line from Wayne’s World springs to mind when I think of those people, “we’re not worthy” — I am not worthy!

The Third Sunday of Epiphany

God of all mercy,
your Son proclaimed good news to the poor,
release to the captives,
and freedom to the oppressed:
anoint us with your Holy Spirit
and set all your people free
to praise you in Christ our Lord. Amen.

Additional Collect for The Third Sunday of Epiphany
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

Know ourselves to be your beloved children… This is a big prayer, encapsulating, as it does, so much of what the Christian faith is about. Jesus is revealed as God’s Son; we recognize him as our Lord; and through him, we too can know that we are children of God. Wow!

The Baptism of Christ

Heavenly Father,
at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son:
may we recognize him as our Lord
and know ourselves to be your beloved children;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Additional Collect for The Baptism of Christ
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

I don’t remember my own baptism; I was just a babe-in-arms at the time. But this prayer helps me call to mind my baptism, and remember my confirmation. I may have strayed from the path a bit (a lot sometimes) since then, but it’s good to know that I had a solid start to my journey of life and faith. For that I will always be grateful.