Praying Easter into a Good Friday World

 

Prayers for May 21, 2022            EASTER 6

 Before the prayers, teach the context in Revised Common Lectionary and in most of our home churches: Today we are still the Easter season—still on a joyful high as we continue to celebrate the highest festival the world has ever known: resurrection of Jesus and the resulting promise of eternal life.  We just sang about that is as God’s original intention for humanity (summarize “The Lord of the Dance”)  The story doesn’t ever end in Good Friday/Black Friday, it ends with resurrection and joy.  But the Gospel stories during Easter are not just happy-clappy celebrations.  In fact, the gospels have been teaching about how resurrected people can and should be living out their lives of faith—we are to allow the resurrection to transform us NOW—by living out our faith in acts of love.  Jesus teaches a new commandment:  that we love one another.  Now Jesus gives to the disciples--and to us-his peace.  His blessing.  His hope.  So, how will we choose to live our own lives?  Now?  Today’s prayer allows some silence to meditate on this.  The call and response is same as our last worship during season of Easter.  My petition will end with an Alleluia!  Please respond: Alleluia, hear us, Lord of Love.

Silence

Lord, it is Easter, but we live in a Good Friday world.  A brutal war rages in Ukraine.  Power and greed have turned cities into cemeteries…and have forced fragmented families to flee.  We pray today that you will transform hearts that are hardened-with-hatred into hearts that are open to peace.  Your peace.  We pray today that you will turn the tide of war into a new time of hope.  Then, let your whole world experience the joyful depth of your alleluia! Alleluia, hear us, Lord of Love.  

Silence 

Lord, it is Easter, but we live in a Good Friday world.  Power, fear, and intolerance have brought chaos into our ordinary and daily places like elementary schools, churches, and shopping areas and innocent families are in grief and shock.  Instead of gathering for graduations, communities are gathering for funerals.  (pause) Joy, hope, and love are somehow difficult for us to grasp.  Some days, it’s just plain easier to be angry, dissatisfied, and disappointed.  But this is NOT what you have taught us, dear Savior.  Reach out to us again and again to fill us with your allelulia! Alleluia, hear us, Lord of Love.  

Silence 

Lord, it is Easter, but you have already experienced this Good Friday world. With your scarred hands you have already faced it, forgiven it, and redeemed it. You have taken away its tempting alure.  You have set us on a path that turns sorrow into joy, greed into gifting, despair into hope, isolation into community.   Do not let our hearts be troubled, and do not let us be afraid.  Energize us so that we may speak boldly of your Alleluia! Alleluia, hear us, Lord of Love.   

Silence

Lord, it is Easter, and we are saved from this Good Friday world.  There are pockets of safety where power is shared rather than hoarded.  There are pockets of security where a captain and extended crew stay safe, keep others safe and well fed, and embrace a community that is family.  There are pockets of grace where the emphasis is on THE OTHER rather than on oneself.  There are pockets of freedom where love and peace are taught and lived. There are pockets where we hear and feel your Alleluia! 

Alleluia, hear us, Lord of Love

Lord, it is Easter, and Good Friday is not the end of our stories.  Each of us knows someone who is hurting.  Our community and our home areas are still experiencing the effects of the pandemic in various forms.  We pray your healing into the hurts, the depression, the isolation, the illness.  We pray for your presence at the bedsides of those who are dying, while also  hospice workers  and the tireless antigen testers.  May each person have first-hand knowledge of your heart.  We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, knowing that you listen and act.  Amen.

Lord’s Prayer

Benediction:  Psalm 67, The Message Translation

May the God of love mark us with grace and blessing and smile upon us!

May the whole country see how God works; may all the godless nations see God saves.

May all peoples thank and enjoy our God.

May all far-flung people become happy and shout their happiness because You judge them fair and square. 

May all people thank and enjoy our God…In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy

Spirit..

Dismissal:

And now, go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

 

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