Easter Day
April 9, 2023
Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Colossians 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43
John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10
Eternal God, we bow before you in awe this Easter day. We bow because of a mystery beyond our comprehension. Twenty centuries later we are as much novices about the resurrection as were those early witnesses. We are as much in need of Jesus’ words, “Peace be still” as were his disciples. We thank you that he left word that he would go before them to Galilee and he goes before us. He goes before us to the places where we have fears and anxious feelings. He goes before us to the places where we feel vulnerable and threatened. He goes before us to the places to which we are called but which we feel afraid to venture.
He goes before us to the places where we humanly posture and compete for positions of honor and privilege.
We thank you that you know our human failings and still call us, nurture us, and lead us. Remake us and make us victorious people. Make us receptive to growth and mastery of life and assist us to overcome the world. Make us resurrection people who are able to dream bigger dreams and able to make this a better world.
Be with those who struggle with illness, disability, grief and transitions not of their own making. Grant comfort, courage, and strength to them. Be also with those who suffer from war, ancient hatreds, terror, and all other forms of inhumanity to others.
We find it hard to pray for the perpetrators of violence because it stirs up so much anger, frustration, and hatred within us. But pray for them we must. So be with our enemies and all who are hard of heart. Bring your world to a resurrection of peace. Give us courage to trust in love rather than force, persuasion rather than coercion. Amen
April 9, 2023
Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Colossians 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43
John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10
Eternal God, we bow before you in awe this Easter day. We bow because of a mystery beyond our comprehension. Twenty centuries later we are as much novices about the resurrection as were those early witnesses. We are as much in need of Jesus’ words, “Peace be still” as were his disciples. We thank you that he left word that he would go before them to Galilee and he goes before us. He goes before us to the places where we have fears and anxious feelings. He goes before us to the places where we feel vulnerable and threatened. He goes before us to the places to which we are called but which we feel afraid to venture.
He goes before us to the places where we humanly posture and compete for positions of honor and privilege.
We thank you that you know our human failings and still call us, nurture us, and lead us. Remake us and make us victorious people. Make us receptive to growth and mastery of life and assist us to overcome the world. Make us resurrection people who are able to dream bigger dreams and able to make this a better world.
Be with those who struggle with illness, disability, grief and transitions not of their own making. Grant comfort, courage, and strength to them. Be also with those who suffer from war, ancient hatreds, terror, and all other forms of inhumanity to others.
We find it hard to pray for the perpetrators of violence because it stirs up so much anger, frustration, and hatred within us. But pray for them we must. So be with our enemies and all who are hard of heart. Bring your world to a resurrection of peace. Give us courage to trust in love rather than force, persuasion rather than coercion. Amen