Let us pray.
God, this morning we have gathered together in this holy space to hear how the story ends. The story that has been passed on to us by generations of believers. The story so powerful it transcends earthly explanation. The story of resurrection.
We gather to hear how the story ends because, if we are being honest God, right now many of us feel more like Thomas – defeated and full of doubt. We gather to hear how the story ends because, if we are being honest God, right now many of us feel more like Peter – in denial of what is happening around us. We gather to hear how the story ends because, if we are being honest God, right now many of us feel more like Judas – having betrayed ourselves and our faith for earthly possessions and now here we are full of shame and regret.
God we gather to remember the ending. To remember how death was not the final chapter. To remember how empire did not prevail. To remember that you are a God of promises kept.
So it is because of this ending that on this Easter Sunday, we come to you praying for the unimaginable because you’ve already shown us just what is possible.
So we pray God for peace, not just in Ukraine and Gaza, but in every country across this globe.
We pray God for an end to gun violence, not just on our college campuses and in our schools, but on every street and in every house.
We pray God for liberty – not just for whatever political party might be in charge, but for every human being regardless of their nationality or political beliefs.
We pray for justice – not just for those who look like me, but for all of your creation.
God we pray, because we believe and we believe because we know how the story ends. So we gather this morning as a people bringing all of ourselves to this space – our fears, our worries, our joys, our concerns, whatever they may be we lay them before you. We trust in your promises. The promise that justice will one day roll down like water. The promise that your love for us is unwavering regardless of who we are or what we’ve done. The promise that even when we are surrounded by death and despair – resurrection comes.
God, we thank you for these promises. We thank you for finishing the story. And it is in this joy, in love and with hope, we join our voices together to pray the prayer you taught us saying,
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.