Epiphany Daily Prayer
JANUARY 5TH
Leader: O Lord, open my lips. Response: And my mouth shall declare your praise.
Psalm 72
The leader and congregation alternate verses of the psalm. All repeat the antiphon in between stanzas.
Antiphon: From Tarshish and from the islands, kings have come to offer gifts to the Lord our King.
O God, give your judgment to the king,
to a king’s son your justice,
that he may judge your people in justice
and your poor in right judgment.
May the mountains bring forth peace for the people
and the hills, justice.
May he defend the poor of the people
and save the children of the needy
and crush the oppressor.
He shall endure like the sun and the moon
from age to age.
He shall descend like rain on the meadow,
like raindrops on the earth.
In his days justice shall flourish
and peace till the moon fails.
He shall rule from sea to sea,
from the Great River to earth’s bounds.
Before him his enemies shall fall,
his foes lick the dust.
The kings of Tarshish and the seacoasts
shall pay him tribute.
The kings of Sheba and Seba
shall bring him gifts.
Before him all kings shall fall prostrate,
all nations shall serve him.
For he shall save the poor when they cry
and the needy who are helpless.
He will have pity on the weak
and save the lives of the poor.
From oppression he will rescue their lives,
to him their blood is dear.
Long may he live,
may the gold of Sheba be given him.
They shall pray for him without ceasing
and bless him all the day.
May corn be abundant in the land
to the peaks of the mountains.
May its fruit rustle like Lebanon;
may people flourish in the cities
like grass on the earth.
May his name be blessed for ever
and endure like the sun.
Every tribe shall be blessed in him,
all nations bless his name.
Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel,
who alone works wonders,
ever blessed his glorious name.
Let his glory fill the earth.
Amen! Amen!
Glory to the Father...
Antiphon: From Tarshish and from the islands, kings have come to offer gifts to the Lord our King.
Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings glad tidings,
Announcing peace, bearing good news,
announcing salvation, and saying to Zion,
“Your God is king!”
Hark! Your watchmen raise a cry,
together they shout for joy,
For they see directly, before their eyes,
the Lord restoring Zion.
Break out together in song,
O ruins of Jerusalem!
For the Lord comforts his people,
he redeems Jerusalem.
The Lord has bared his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations;
All the ends of the earth will behold
the salvation of our God.
Responsory
Leader: All the kings of earth will bow down in worship.
Response: All the kings of earth will bow down in worship.
Leader: Men and women of every nation will serve him.
Response: They will bow down in worship.
Leader: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Response: All the kings of earth will bow down in worship.
Antiphon for the Canticle of Zechariah: Today the Bridegroom claims his bride, the Church, since Christ has washed her sins away in Jordan’s waters; the Magi hasten with their gifts to the royal wedding; and the wedding guests rejoice, for Christ has changed water into wine, alleluia.
Antiphon for the Canticle of Mary: Three mysteries mark this holy day: today the star leads the Magi to the infant Christ; today water is changed into wine for the wedding feast; today Christ wills to be baptized by John in the river Jordan to bring us salvation.
Pray either the Canticle of Zechariah (in the morning) or the Canticle of Mary (in the evening). You can find them here.
Intercessions
Sanctify us through prayer and the word of God. Christ, our Light, hear us! Free our lives from the spirit of doubt. Christ, our Light, hear us! Help us to feel the joy of heaven on earth. Christ, our Light, hear us! By the power of the Holy Spirit, open the hearts of all. Christ, our Light, hear us! Renew the faith of all believers. Christ, our Light, hear us! Enkindle in us a longing for your kingdom. Christ, our Light, hear us!
Heavenly Father, Your light is strong, your love is near; draw us beyond the limits which the world imposes to the life where your Spirit makes all life complete. We ask this in the name of Jesus, your Son, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
Closing: May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.