Prayer

Almighty and eternal God,

Despite his label as ‘Doubting Thomas,’ the apostle Thomas makes the most profound expression of faith in the Christian scriptures, referring to Jesus as ‘my Lord and my God.’ Through the faith of Thomas and the other disciples who saw and believed, many through the centuries who have not seen have come to faith. May we who have not seen as Thomas did come to deeper faith through our celebration of the sacred season of Easter. May the risen Jesus be present in the lives of others through us. We make this prayer through Christ our Risen Lord. Amen.

Prayer

Creator of all,

You are the source of our being. In you, all things and all people find their origin. Help us to recognize and accept the dignity that is ours because we have been created in your image and likeness. Give us the courage to promote and defend the dignity of all, wherever it is threatened and wherever it needs support. May our recognition of the dignity of all people draw us closer to one another and advance the cause of the kingdom of God for which your son Jesus died and was raised. In his name, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Lord of justice,

Too often our society encourages us to focus on the negative, to focus our energy on the darkness in our world. And yet, we know that there is tremendous light all around us piercing that darkness. Whether it is the sacrifice and care of front-line healthcare workers, other essential personnel, caring neighbors, first responders, and compassionate strangers, we encounter a world different than the bleak picture often presented to us. Fill our hearts with hope grounded in the trustworthiness of your promise and presence. May your presence and love open our eyes to see your light around us and give us the courage to be your light for others. We pray in God’s name. Amen.

Prayer

God of goodness and joy,

Your son Jesus came to give us the blessing of joy and that, through him, our joy would be made complete. Joy is the light within each of us that shines even in times of adversity and strife. May our belief and trust in you enliven our hearts and minds to embrace the goodness of life and the people we encounter this day. May our openness to your presence in our lives fill us with the joy of living and a desire to share your joy with all those we meet. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayer

God of creation,

You have given us the gift of life. And you call each of us to reflect your love in the world. Inspire us to pursue health and well-being in our own lives and to give of ourselves that we might contribute to the health and well-being of our communities. Stir within us both a spirit of gratitude for the gifts you give to us and a desire to use our gifts to promote the health and well-being of others, especially those who are sick, dying, and underserved. Amen.

Prayer

God of courage,

We live in a world full of challenges that so often seem to threaten to overwhelm us. We continue to battle a global pandemic, continue to struggle for racial justice, continue to care for the planet, and continue to confront the difficulties and sorrows that are perhaps known to us alone. Perhaps now more than ever, we need the gift of your courage, a courage that can help us to face the issues that surround us. Fill us with your Holy Spirit that we might turn to you in moments of trial. May we have the strength to face our challenges with faith and hope in you. We pray in God’s name. Amen.

Prayer

God of love,

As our lives set out on the journey of living in the light of Easter, fill us with the power of your Holy Spirit that we might lead lives shaped by your profound love for us. May we strive to allow your love that is stronger than death to find expression in and through each one of us. Help us recognize that it is your love that will truly transform the world, remaking it, and us, in the image of the kingdom your son Jesus proclaimed and embodied, particularly in his death and resurrection. With trust in the power of your Son’s resurrection, we pray. Amen.