Prayers for Easter Sunday
These prayers were originally presented at our Easter Sunday service, reprinted here for you to view and review.
From Nicola Colhoun
The earth shook when you were raised - perhaps the rocks got to say their piece after all. An angel sat outside your tomb - was it the same angel that had called the shepherds to Bethlehem? " Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. Come and see." But you're not in the manger anymore, and You're not in the grave either.
Something huge has happened. Nothing makes sense, but everything is as it should be. The universe is made right. It all looks the same, but it is made new, past anything we can see. or know. It is far too much for us. We can't begin to grasp this. But then, there You are on the road. You are alive! And you have feet that can be grasped. And you have scars and you eat breakfast. You tease the fishermen and you restore Peter. And that is how we know that it is made right, that it will be all right, because You are here.
And we, like the women of that first morning, are afraid yet filled with joy. We don't know what it means, but we know that we have seen You. Like the disciples we doubt sometimes, but You promise to be with us anyway. Until the very end of the age. Thank you. Thank you, and amen. And hallelujah too.
From Alan Williams
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
“Why do you search for the living among the dead?” You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and you are alive! There is no idea or construct of dead theology that I need put my faith in, that I set my hope towards. I need no bond from God, notarized and stamped, assuring me I have of some abstract salvation or that I can get in the doors of heaven while holding it. No! Lord Jesus, you are Salvation. You are healing. You are the resurrection and the Life! Reconciliation and recreation are in you. Oh, Bread of God. Oh, Living Bread come down from Heaven, you have revealed to us a God who saves. You are the God who saves. You are the very presence whose light is the life of men, quickening, strengthening, sustaining us by your very self. You are both the bridegroom and the feast! You have wholly given yourself to your creation! Let me sit in the garden and hear you say my name, bringing me back to life. And let me sit on the beach feasting with you, bringing humanity back to oneness with the Word that spoke it into being. Let the celebration begin and not cease! Bring bread! Pour the wine! Come Lord!
Jesus, I cannot fully understand all that you have done, all that you are. But, my Lord and my God, if I could just know you, and that you would be yourself would be enough for me for all eternity! Grant this I pray.
Amen.