Listen to or read a short service of prayer for the Monday after the Fifth Sunday of Easter, 11 May 2020.
Preparation
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
If I climb up to heaven, you are there;
if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.
Praise
Risen Christ,
your wounds declare your love for the world
and the wonder of your risen life:
give us compassion and courage
to risk ourselves for those we serve,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Psalm 118:1-3, 14-15
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his mercy endures for ever.
Let Israel now proclaim,
‘His mercy endures for ever.’
Let the house of Aaron now proclaim,
‘His mercy endures for ever.’
The Lord is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.
Joyful shouts of salvation
sound from the tents of the righteous:
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
Reading
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’ Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.’
John 14:21-26 (NRSV)
This is the word of the Lord.
Prayers
In the power of the Spirit, and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.
God of peace, when we are anxious keep our vision on your eternal Word. Fill your Church with confidence in your praises. Inspire those with oversight to equip your Church for its mission and ministry.
God of peace, you lead us into truth. Give wisdom to all who lead and shape the course of nations. Open our hearts to your justice.
God of peace, your blessing is never dispensed at the expense of others. Give us the same generosity and self-restraint that all may rejoice. May we build our communities on this capacity for kindness and responsibility.
God of peace, you invite us to wholeness and well-being. Pour out your healing love on all who are sick in body, mind or spirit. We pray, too, for those who are called to work in the medical, caring and research professions – giving thanks for their dedication and skill.
God of peace, risen and ascended your Son declares your unconfined love. Consecrate the lives of your faithful servants who have departed this life and who now rest in your eternal presence. In our turn, accept us with them into your eternal city.
We offer our prayers in the name of Christ, sent by the Father for our salvation.
Almighty God,
we thank you for the gift of your holy word.
May it be a lantern to our feet,
a light to our paths,
and a strength to our lives.
Take us and use us to love and serve
in the power of the Holy Spirit
and in the name of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Conclusion
May the risen Christ give us his peace.
Alleluia. Amen.
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