Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017
Offered by Victoria G. Curtiss, Associate Pastor

Liberator God, who cracks open the seed, the soil, and even the grave to bring forth life, we praise you for your wondrous Spirit. Glorious God of day’s dawning, of light breaking, sun rising, life waking, of new possibilities beckoning us, we praise you for your re-creative movement in our world.

God of earth’s renewal, of sunlight warming, bud sprouting, ground greening, justice bursting, of life trilling, chirping, buzzing, we praise you for your life-giving touch.

God of Jesus’ rising, of Christ living, moving, working, of hope rising, joy swelling, love overwhelming, of new life rising in and among us, we praise you for your resurrection power.

Today we bring to you all in us and in our world that has not yet been freed by the good news of Easter. Where fear reigns and stifles life, where sorrow seems endless and hope foolish, where violence threatens and peace is distant, where evil’s hold is tenacious and mocks your loving ways, we pray your victorious and transforming Spirit would break through.

Where any remain in tombs of grief, of loneliness, of cynical withdrawal, draw them closer to you. Where any walk in deadening ways, wanting and having too much, giving and sharing too little, viewing one another with suspicion rather than compassion, bring your healing and new vision.

Work your miracle of life rising from the deadness the world imposes. Let loose the wonder of your eternal love from all that would entomb it. Life-giving God, raise even us, and make us all midwives of your hope. All this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray together saying, Our Father . . .

Adapted from a prayer in Breathing New Life into Lent by John R. Pritchard Jr., Anne McKinstry, and Janet E. Powers.