Tomorrow's Offering

Peace to you.

Here is tomorrow's prayer:

Prayers of the Church for Grandview

23 March 2008: Easter Sunday

Eternity is your home, O God, but it has not been ours. Thank you for the invitation that you made plain to us when your Word became flesh, pitched your tent among us, suffered the cruel indignity of the cross, and then rose again. Thank you for the shining example of your hunger for a universe restored to the glory of the seventh day.

Restore the glory, O Lord, of flesh as you intended it to be; unspoiled by corruption and decay.

Restore the glory, O Lord, of the Church as you intended it; a sign of your love and power to heal.

Restore the glory, O Lord, of the earth as you created it; unscathed by poor stewardship.

We join the chorus of the chirping birds of spring, the flaring of foliage and fauna, and the lengthening light of day as we proclaim your greatness. Hosanna and hallelujah in the highest! You have done for us what we were powerless to do. You have overcome every barrier that was beyond our influence and left us with only our will, our own decisions to love you or not, to want you or to not want you.

With the help of those around us this morning we proclaim that we love you because you have created us, loved us, and saved us. With one voice we praise you.

In the midst of our praise, though, we know that we still have much to learn, much to believe, much to give over to you. Thank you for acting on our behalf before we are worthy, before we understand, before we come to faith. Thank you for going to cross while humanity is yet lost in its foolishness, rebellion, and sinfulness.

Forgive us, O Lord. We cannot forgive ourselves. We need your Holy Spirit powerfully active and breathing among us, within us, and through us.

May your church around the whole world celebrate your victory today, and every day, by the manner in which we love each other and by the manner in which we love the world around us. You have called us to be your co-workers in this world. To this we pledge ourselves.

Bless the sick, the dying, those in harm’s way, the depressed, the addicted, the poor, the oppressed, the innocents who suffer, and th weak. And, by your Spirit, empower your people to be your agent of healing. Empower the missionaries we support. Empower the agencies of the gospel we support. Empower us to be a part of your will made into living, breathing, flesh each and every day.

We pray as your risen Son has taught us: