Hallelujah! He is risen. “Thanks be to God!”
That Jesus lives, Heavenly Father, is enough for Me.
Blessed be His holy name. Amen.
A Resurrection Thought
As the Easter season begins and the church moves into resurrection life, may we remember the victory that Jesus brings into the world. By the grace of God may we live out the meaning of defeat overcome by victory. May we live in the powerful and life-transforming truth that JESUS IS LORD..
“'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." Forgive us, too, because they only acted on our behalf. We would like to blame ‘them,’ but we can't. We know the truth’” - Unknown
“In the old rugged cross,
stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see;
For ’twas on that old cross
Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.
-From "The Old Rugged Cross," by George Bennard, 1913
I adore you, O Christ, and I bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen. - A prayer prayed at each station in the liturgy of praying the Stations of the Cross
Almighty God, Your name is glorified even in the anguish of your Son's death. Grant us the courage to receive your anointed servant who embodies a wisdom and love that is foolishness to the world. Empower us in witness so that all the world may recognize in the scandal of the cross the mystery of reconciliation. Amen.
- Revised Common Lectionary
I am bending my knee in the eye of the Father who created me, in the eye of the Son who purchased me, in the eye of the Spirit who cleansed me in friendship and affection. Through Thine own Anointed One, O God, bestow upon us fullness in our need, love towards God, the affection of God, the smile of God, the wisdom of God, the grace of God, the fear of God, and the will of God to do in the world, as angels and saints do in heaven.
- A Celtic prayer
God of steadfast love, light of the blind and liberator of the oppressed, we see your holy purpose in the tender compassion of Jesus, who calls us into new and living friendship with you. May we, who take shelter in the shadow of your wings, be filled with the grace of his tender caring; may we, who stumble in selfish darkness, see your glory in the light of his self-giving. We ask this through him whose suffering is victorious, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. - The Revised Common Lectionary
Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
- The Collect for Palm Sunday from Lay Anglicana, the unofficial voice of the laity throughout the Anglican Communion
"Jesus, Lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly;
While the nearer waters roll, While the tempest still is high!
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide, Till the storm of life is past,
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last!
- Charles Wesley, 1740
Almighty, eternal God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Creator of heaven, earth, and humanity, together with Your
Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Word and Image, and with
Your Holy Spirit: Have mercy upon us and forgive us our sins
for Your Son's sake, whom You have made our Mediator
according to Your wonderful counsels; and please guide and
sanctify us by Your Holy Spirit, who has been poured out upon
Your Church. Grant that we may truly know and praise You
today and throughout eternity! Amen.
- based on a prayer of Philip Melanchthon,
Reformer, 16th century
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace. Amen
- Robert Robinson (1735-1790)
You’re all I want in heaven! You’re all I want on earth!
When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
God is rock-firm and faithful.
Look! Those who left you are falling apart!
Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again.
But I’m in the very presence of God—Oh, how refreshing it is!
I’ve made Lord God my home.
God, I’m telling the world what you do!
- Psalm 73: 25-28, The Message
O Lord my God, I believe in you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Insofar as I can, insofar as you have given me the power, I
have sought you. I became weary and I labored. O Lord my
God, my sole hope, help me to believe and never to cease
seeking you. Grant that I may always and ardently seek
out your countenance….Enable me to remember you, to
understand you, and to love you. Amen. - Augustine, Late Fourth, early Fifth century
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. - From Psalm 63:1
God of the covenant,
in the glory of the cross
your Son embraced the power of death
and broke its hold over your people.
In this time of repentance,
draw all people to yourself,
that we who confess Jesus as Lord
may put aside the deeds of death
and accept the life of your kingdom. Amen.
- https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. - Based on a prayer from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, published by the Episcopal Church
Holy Spirit, living Breath of God, Breathe new life into my willing soul. Bring the presence of the risen Lord To renew my heart and make me whole. Cause Your Word to come alive in me; Give me faith for what I cannot see; Give me passion for Your purity. Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.
- From the song, "Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God,” by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend © 2006
