EASTER
1st, 3rd, and 5th WEDNESDAY
Morning Prayer

READING
Romans 6:8-11
But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen, Alleluia!

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
who shepherds the people and sets them free.

God raises from David’s house
a child with power to save.
Through the holy prophets
God promised in ages past
to save us from enemy hands,
from the grip of all who hate us.

The Lord favored our ancestors
recalling the sacred covenant,
the pledge to our ancestor Abraham,
to free us from our enemies,
so we might worship without fear
and be holy and just all our days.

And you child, will be called
Prophet of the Most High,
for you will come to prepare
a pathway for the Lord
by teaching the people salvation
through forgiveness of their sin.

Out of God’s deepest mercy
a dawn will come from on high,
light for those shadowed by death,
a guide for our feet on the way to peace.


INTERCESSIONS
Jesus Christ, you rose from the grave to show us the way to lasting freedom. We pray for all those who seek relief from oppression or confinement:
~Risen Christ, hear our prayer.

That those serving prison terms may be sustained by your merciful love:

That those trapped in ghettoes of poverty and violence may find help and healing:

That those held in refugee camps may find permanent homes:

That those confined in nursing homes and hospitals may be comforted by their faith:

That those restricted by prejudice or misunderstanding may find encouragement to pursue their goals:


THE LORD’S PRAYER

PRAYER
Good and gracious God, you call us to works of mercy and justice that will liberate others. Bless us for the tasks that lie before us this day, that through our efforts others may come to know your love for them. May the graces of this Easter time sustain and refresh us. We make this prayer through the intercession of your risen Son, Jesus. Amen.

Easter
1st, 3rd and 5th WEDNESDAY
EVENING PRAYER


READING
Hebrews 7:24-26
Jesus, our high priest, holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

CANTICLE OF MARY
When it was evening on that day, Jesus stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Alleluia!

I acclaim the greatness of the Lord,
I delight in God my savior,
who regarded my humble state.
Truly from this day on
all ages will call me blest.

For God, wonderful in power,
has used that strength for me.
Holy the name of the Lord!
Whose mercy embraces the faithful,
one generation to the next.

The mighty arm of God
scatters the proud in their conceit,
pulls tyrants from their thrones,
and raises up the humble.
The Lord fills the starving
and lets the rich go hungry.

God rescues lowly Israel,
recalling the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors,
to Abraham’s heirs for ever.

INTERCESSIONS
Jesus, you brought the gift of peace to your followers on the evening of your resurrection. Help us to receive and treasure this same gift in the many circumstances of our lives.

When we are tempted to harsh words or hostile deeds:
~Give us your peace, O Christ.
When we are tempted to quarrel with community members or co-workers:
~Give us your peace O Christ.
When parties in the church give way to mutual distrust and factionalism:
~Teach us the ways of peace, O Christ.
When ethnic and religious groups injure one another:
~Teach us the ways of peace, O Christ.
When nations wage war against one another:
~Teach us the ways of peace, O Christ.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

PRAYER
Jesus, our high priest, intercede for us, that we may become holy and blameless before you. Forgive us our offenses against our neighbors, and help us to learn the skills of peacemaking. This we ask with confidence in your ever abiding presence among us. Amen.