These Prayers of the People were written for Transfiguration Sunday and are framed by the New Testament lectionary reading from Matthew 17. Throughout the prayer, a second voice reads excerpts from the text.
May these words bring you a glimpse of the light of God’s glory.
“Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.”
As we hear your story of transformation, O God,
we pray for your Spirit to transform us.
Transform our eyes to see the light of your glory.
Transform our hearts to feel the goodness of your presence.
Transform our minds to understand a fraction of your will.
Transform our world to recognize the ties that bind us to one another.
“Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’”
We give thanks, O Holy One,
for the goodness of your words, the goodness of your world,
and the goodness of your Spirit who beckons us to follow.
Give us the mind of Peter, to recognize that we stand on holy ground.
Give us the humility to proclaim, “Lord, it is good for us to be here.”
Like Peter, we want to built a tent on the mountain top,
away from the problems and distractions of the world.
Just as you did for Peter, O God,
let us sit in your glory just long enough to recharge for the journey,
and then send us out for your service in your world.
“While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’”
Holy one, you sent Christ, your son, your beloved,
to show us that we, too, are your children.
Make us know, O God, that our worth does not come from our work.
Our performance on tests or tasks or job interviews does not determine our value.
Our worth, our identity, our very being, comes from you, O God of grace.
In your image, we are created.
In your grace, we are redeemed.
In your community, we are loved.
In your spirit, we are called.
“When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’”
As the disciples were, O God, we are overcome by fear, anxiety, grief, or sadness.
Pour your healing into our wounds.
Breathe your goodness into our doubts.
Touch us, heal us, and bring us peace.
We lift before you the people in our church and in our world
who are hurting:
[Name the prayer concerns of your community, and allow room for silence.]
“And when the disciples looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.”
Give us the hope and faith, O holy one,
to look and up and see your presence around around us.
Give us the strength to know that we are not alone.
We join our voices with your disciples across all times and places as we pray, “Our father…”
Amen.
And also with you. 