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I join with all who are praying *
to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer
God in Heaven, I belong to you. I am your child. You have set me free from the bondage to sin. I consider myself dead to sin and alive to You. I present myself, my body and my mind, to you.
Your Son, my Savior Jesus Christ, has won my freedom through his death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave. *
Therefore, I am under the authority, the dominion, of grace.
I am not a slave. I am a child, an heir.
Therefore, I will walk in hope and freedom and self-control.
I will follow your Holy Spirit, to the best of my ability, putting to death the deeds of the flesh and seeking to walk in the obedience of a child of God. *
Grant me all the resources I will need for this day. I trust in you to hear and answer me.
- Geno Hildebrandt
Observe a time of silence before the Lord
(1 – 5 minutes)
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Scriptural Theme
Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.
Sing to the Lord a song of praise
(acapella, or accompanied by instruments / recorded music)
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Praying Song of Songs 2:3-4,8-13 (New International Version)
Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love.
Listen! My beloved! Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look! There he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice. *
My beloved spoke and said to me, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me. Behold! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me."
Response to the Scripture
Arise, my dove, my fair one and come away with me. For the winter is past and the rain is over and gone!
Draw near to God’s throne of grace
with the thanksgivings, prayers, & intercessions that are on your heart
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The Spirit and the Bride say *
“Come!”
Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly. *
Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.
Praise / prayer / silence / sing a new song
(follow the leading of the Holy Spirit)
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Ending Prayer
We glory in your cross, O Lord, and praise you for your mighty resurrection; *
for by virtue of your cross joy has come into our world.
God be gracious to us and bless us *
and make his face shine upon us.
Let your ways be made known on earth *
your liberating power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God *
let all the peoples praise you.
We glory in your cross, O Lord, and praise you for your mighty resurrection; *
for by virtue of your cross joy has come into our world.
Almighty God, as we stand at the foot of the cross of your Son, may we know your love for us, that in humility, love and joy we may place at his feet all that we have and all that we are; through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
- Oremus - the Labarum Collection
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 – “Jesus Our Bridegroom King” )