Prayers of the Church, Easter Day, the Resurrection of Our Lord, A (April 9, 2023)
In the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Father of our risen Lord Jesus, on behalf of the world, the Church, and one another.
A brief silence
Thank you, dear Father, for the forgiveness, peace, and salvation won for us by your beloved Son. Tune our hearts to sing his praise. Purify our spirits so we may see his beauty forever. Fortify our minds to learn the depths of his love. Open our mouths to proclaim his victory over our ancient enemy. Direct our hands – one to clasp his nail-scarred hand, the other to draw a fellow sinner closer to his loving embrace. Fill us with your Spirit, so that in all things, we bear witness to Jesus’ triumph over sin, death, and the devil.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Look with kindness upon your Church as it worships your risen Son. Give it concord within its house, and peace within the world. Make it radiant in faith, lovely in holiness, and beautiful in charity. By its words and deeds, bring many to know and adore Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Fill our persecuted sisters and brothers with faith, courage, and joy. Let their faces shine with confidence in the victory of Jesus. Let that light shine on their enemies, so they turn to him in repentant faith.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Feed the people of this congregation with the milk and honey of sincerity and truth. Make us lovely with your mercy, forgiveness, and goodness. Use us to draw many who are afar off into your welcoming embrace, so together we sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
We ask your blessing upon all who hear this Gospel with disbelief, doubt, bitterness, or scorn. Give us wise words and loving hearts, so we share the hope that is in us on account of Jesus’ resurrection. Give them new, or renewed, faith in Christ, for he is their hope and heart’s desire.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Bestow your peace upon this sin-stained world. Teach all who wield authority and power, in any field or enterprise, to use those gifts wisely and humbly. And give to all – especially those who are poor, forgotten, grieving, or despairing – a foretaste of the joys you have prepared for all who love you.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Even in this season of gladness, good men and women must risk their lives to protect others from fear, sickness, injustice, and violence. Shield, strengthen and direct them. Let their words and deeds accomplish your will. Keep them safe; support their loved ones; and speed the day when war shall be no more.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Grant that Jesus’ triumph over sin and death may bless all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. We lift before you the needs of: {List}. Turn mourning into singing, and exchange the sackcloth of sorrow for the mantle of praise and the garment of joy.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
O most kind and loving Father, your Son safely leads your chosen people through the portals of death. Thank you for the lives and the faithful witness of those who have already gone “farther up and farther in” to your glorious Kingdom. Let your Son accompany us along our pilgrimage, to lighten our load and brighten our path. Let your Holy Spirit fill us with confidence and compassion. And let us, with all the redeemed of every time and place, stand before your throne and sing your praise in strains of triumphant gladness for ever and ever.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
We praise and magnify you, most holy Father; we entrust our prayers and petitions to you in the strong name and for the dear sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
