He is Risen! Easter Reflections and Prayer for 2018
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” —Revelation 5:12
Easter is when we celebrate that our Lord who became our lamb to suffer as the sacrifice for our sins becomes the Lion who triumphs over sin and the grave. Just as His sacrificial death opens up to us all of God’s mercy and forgiveness, His resurrected life opens up to us all of what He means to give us – life eternal, life itself.
Jesus Christ who is our life brings us into all that God has for us in this life and the next.
In our church we have a responsive saying each year at Easter. I call it our Christian “fight song”. It goes like this:
Leader: Christ the Lord is risen!
People: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
The resurrection of Jesus is the firstfruits of our own resurrection, and as such we go out from His presence gathered together to live as His Easter people in a Good Friday world. And by the same Spirit that raised Him up on that day, He dwells within all who believe in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior to raise us up to newness of life.
Christ the Lord is risen.
He is risen indeed and in Him, so are we.
Hallelujah!
Prayer: O Father God of the risen Christ, in whose resurrection we find new life, send your Spirit to dwell among us in this day of worship. O risen Christ, Son of the Father, may we hear your word of peace today. O Spirit of the living God, teach us once more to live in the power of Christ’s resurrection, in whose name we pray. Amen.
You, O Christ, are Lord of all creation. You are exalted above all. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that you are Lord! We join with all creation and sing of your glory: “Alleluia, Amen!”
By your death and resurrection, you conquered sin and evil. By your Spirit sustain us in our struggle with the powers of sin and evil. By your resurrection, you lead us from death to life. By your Spirit unite us to you and help us turn away from sin and toward life everlasting. By your resurrection, you evoked worship from astonished guards and gave your disciples joy and peace that surpass understanding. By your Spirit help us to live our lives in resurrection-shaped gratitude, joy, and peace.
God of grace and glory, whether we are weak or strong, old or young, struggling or flourishing, help us to see Jesus, our risen Lord. Give us joy in the knowledge that your Spirit unites us with Jesus, helps us cross over from death to life, and strengthens us to live an Easter life both now and forever. We pray through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sending & Benediction
As Christ burst forth from the tomb, may new life burst forth from us and show itself in acts of love and healing to a hurting world. And may that same Christ, who lives forever and is the source of our new life, keep your hearts rejoicing and grant you peace this day and always.
And all God’s children said, “Amen.”