EASTER
first, third and fifth

Thursdays
Morning Prayer


READING
Romans 8:10-11
But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus form the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you – that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 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
Gracious God, trusting in your power to call life out of death and darkness, we approach this new day with confidence, and we pray:

~ Risen Christ, hear us.

That all who await relief from misery may be sustained by the promise of resurrection:

That all who struggle for full dignity in church and society may be encouraged and supported:

That all who administer aid programs may be stirred with compassion for the needs of the poor and vulnerable

That all who lead nations may be mindful of the voices of those who suffer at the margins of society:

That all who work for peace and justice may be strengthened in their quest:

THE LORD’S PRAYER


PRAYER
Risen Christ, the law and the prophets find their fulfillment in your life, death, and resurrection. We rejoice in this manifestation of your constant love for us, renewed in the celebration of Easter. May the observance of this holy season keep ever before us the memory of what you have done for us. We ask this with confidence in your risen presence among us. Amen.


EASTER
first, third and fifth thursdays
EVENING PRAYER

READING
1 Peter 3:18, 22
For Christ suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit. He has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

CANTICLE OF MARY
They urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” 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
As this day draws to a close, we recall the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and we pray:
~ Stay with us, Lord Jesus!

In our times of physical need and spiritual trial, when we are tempted to fear and doubt:
In our quest for a more just social order, when we are tempted to discouragement:

In our encounters with the poor and needy of our time, when we are tempted to grow weary:

In our dialogue with persons of other faith traditions, when we are tempted to misunderstanding:

In our ministries of mercy, when we are tempted to self-satisfaction:


THE LORD’S PRAYER

PRAYER
Gracious Lord, Catherine McAuley admonishes us, “we can never say it is enough,” when we are about your work. Guide and strengthen us in our journey of mercy, that we may ever strive to walk more closely with you and to serve you more generously. This we ask with confidence in your unceasing regard for us. Amen.