God of the Way, on that same Easter day, the risen Christ took a walk. So ordinary and gentle a posture, they didn’t even recognize him as he journeyed alongside. On the highways and byways of our lives, would you accompany us? Come to our fearful places, our grieving corners, our dusty paths, our unending corridors that keep us moving but not arriving. Pilgrim with us through the barren lands of our own making. Walk with us and talk with us and tell us we are your own, particularly those who ache to belong. For all who walk for their freedom, all march for justice, all move for their rights, join us on the Way of Love.
God of Hope, on the evening of his greatest victory, your Son joined his disciples in their disbelief. So dashed was their hope that he would be the redeemer, the liberator, the One to set things right, they didn’t even notice when Hope made flesh was by their side. In the despairing places of our world, would you bring a presence of hope? Lift our anguishing eyes from our screens, and train them instead on your dream for this world. Offer your gentle hand upon those whose scars of abuse or neglect, trauma or rejection limit their joy. Speak to your church in need of a word of life, so that we may know the power of your love and the glory of your resurrection. For those distressed of conscience, those disconsolate with defeat, those demoralized by oppression, join us in the assurance of resurrection.
God of Practice, as the disciples gathered with Jesus once again over scripture and table, their eyes were opened. So simple and steady their practices, they became the means of recognizing the risen Chrst among them. Within the rhythms of our faith, would you be made known? Enliven our discipleship that it not become stale. Pattern our taste towards the nourishment of bread and cup that we can taste and see at other tables too. Keep us curious and malleable in our belief, so that you can teach us at any age or stage of life. Gift us with beloved community as broad and deep and wide and long as your colorful humankind, one body with many members. For the faithful doing your work of Love in this world, join us with your peace and purpose.
God of Fire, after the disciples recognized Jesus among them, they said to each other of their time with him, ‘were not our hearts burning within us?’ So alight with
love, their burning hearts compelled them to share the good news. In our hearts today, would you ignite us toward Jesus’ way of life? Kindle within us a heart for compassion, for empathy, for peace. Provoke us toward power made perfect in weakness. Burn off the chaff of our discord, and summon us toward you and one another. For all who need to be made alive yet again, join us with your light that enlightens the world.
As Easter people in this world,
May our hands fill with meaningful work.
May our feet go to the suffering.
May our hearts be unlocked and set ablaze for the sake of the world you so love. May our minds be the same mind in you as in Christ Jesus.
May our ordinary life together become extraordinary living together because of you, the living God.
May our joy be precise.
Then and only then, o God, might we rise and say: “now to you who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we could ask or imagine, to God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.”
We pray these things in the name of Christ Jesus who taught us how to pray, saying…