π
I join with all who are praying *
to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer
You died that we might be forgiven, Lord; but that was not the end. You plundered death, and made its jail-house shudder - strode into life to meet Your startled friends.
We have a dream that all the world will meet You, and know You, Jesus, in Your living power, *
that someday soon all people everywhere will hear Your story, and hear it in a way they understand.
- Celtic Daily Prayer
Observe a time of silence before the Lord
(1 β 5 minutes)
π
Scriptural Theme
From the west, people will fear the name of the LORD, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory.
Sing to the Lord a song of praise
(acapella, or accompanied by instruments / recorded music)
π
Praying Isaiah 59:16-20 (New International Version)
He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due. *
From the west, men will fear the name of the LORD, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the LORD drives along. "The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins," declares the LORD.
Response to the Scripture
Who is like you, Oh God? Perfect in wisdom, unlimited in power - you will not relent until you fully accomplish the purposes of your heart.
Draw near to Godβs throne of grace
with the thanksgivings, prayers, & intercessions that are on your heart
π
The Spirit and the Bride say *
βCome!β
Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly. *
From the west, people will fear the name of the LORD, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory.
Praise / prayer / silence / sing a new song
(follow the leading of the Holy Spirit)
π
Ending Prayer
May we, like you, delight to give
extravagantly of ourselves
and of our goods
to the least and to the lostβ
lost to their own selves,
lost on the way to who knows what anymore,
but not lost to You*
may we give even to those
who may not fully appreciate what we have given,
but who nonetheless deserve the best and the finest,
so that we might acquire
a heart of generosity that knows no bounds,
that gives without expectation of return,
that offers the entire pantry of our lives in joy*
because we know to whom belong:
to a gracious Father in heaven
who owns the cattle on a thousand hills,
whose Son generates an excess of wine and a surfeit of bread,
exceeding all requirements of necessity,
and who gives us his Spirit without measure,
flooding our hearts with the love of the Eternal Godhead,
thereby enabling us to become emissaries of divine bounty
in a world that dares us to believe otherwise
and tempts us to live in any other way but generous-without-strings.
We pray this in the name of the One
who makes us rich by becoming poor for our sake.
Amen.
- W. David O. Taylor
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
( Adapted by Christ the Reconciler from Season 5: Easter Bridge Prayer β βJesus Our Bridegroom Kingβ )