Easter Prayer

Monday April 5 2021

We are Good Friday people, shocked and stunned
By the death of One who loved us with a love
We had never dared to expect
Amazed that you have given Heaven’s Son to die
For us, and before us
God who has navigated death
The place we’ve never been and so much dread
Cancel our fear, remind us of our hope
The freedom and ‘It is finished’
You have won for us
Let your grace fill us to overflowing
With the unique refreshment of total forgiveness

We are Holy Saturday people, waiting and in limbo
With doors locked for fear, we weary disciples wonder
What to say, how to pray,
As day bleeds into empty day,
God, we are disorientated
We are less than our full selves
See us in our depletion and please be patient
With our addled minds and tongues that can’t quite
find the words

We are Easter Sunday people
Astonished and delighted by the news
We declare it, announce it, herald it:
‘Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!’
God, let this truth ring out for eternal change
Let a weary world hear it, receive it, process it, believe it
Let this nation know that God is bigger than any virus
Life wins, love wins, Christ wins, God wins!
God, may Easter joy revive a jaded world
Let defiant jubilation resound from your people!
Let death be mocked and life take off!
May the words of the risen Christ
Permeate every disciple’s heart and mind
And spill out in every corner of the land
‘Peace be with you!’

Amen

Surprised by Jesus

Easter Day: A Brand New Thing

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