“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”
(Colossians 3:1)
Father in Heaven,
Protect us in our struggle against evil.
As we end the discipline of Lent,
make this season holy by our self-denial.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ. He lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. You are one God, forever and ever. Amen.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hates nothing that thou hast made. Thou dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent. Create and make in us new and contrite hearts. We lament our sins worthily. We acknowledge our wretchedness. Through this, we may obtain perfect remission and forgiveness from thee, the God of all mercy. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
“Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation, * which you have prepared before the face of all people; To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, * and to be the glory of your people Israel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”
(Luke 2:29-32)
We are bound to praise you chiefly for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. He is the true Paschal Lamb. He was offered for us and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death, he has destroyed death. By rising to life again, he has won everlasting life for us.
Let us pray:
Almighty God, our heavenly Father. On this Easter weekend, we pause. We reflect upon the profound mystery of your love. This mystery is revealed in the life, death, and glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We thank you for sending your only Son. Though being in very nature God, he humbled himself to take on human flesh. He lived a life of perfect obedience and suffered the agony of the cross for our transgressions. We confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that apart from your grace, we are lost.
Yet, in your boundless mercy, you did not leave us in despair. On that first Easter morning, you shattered the chains of death and the power of the grave. By Christ’s resurrection, you have declared victory over sin and Satan. You have also given us the sure and certain hope of eternal life.
We pray for the power of Christ’s resurrection to work mightily in our hearts. This power should transform us. It should also conform us to his image. Grant us the strength to put to death the old self with its corrupt desires. Help us to live in newness of life. Let us walk in the light of your truth and serve you with joy and gladness.
As we celebrate this joyous occasion, we remember those who are suffering. We think of those who are grieving. We also consider those who have not yet heard the good news of the Gospel. We pray that your comfort would surround them, and that your light would shine into their darkness.
May we, your people, be witnesses to the hope that is within us. We should proclaim the risen Christ to a world in need of redemption. Empower us by your Holy Spirit. Help us live lives that honor you. May we reflect the love of Christ to all those around us.
We ask all these things in the name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. You are one God, now and forever. Amen.
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