3rd Sunday of Easter, Cycle B (April 18, 2021)
3rd Sunday of Easter, Cycle B (April 18, 2021)
Acts 3:11-21 (Peter preaches: “you acted in ignorance; repent, believe in Jesus, be forgiven”)
ELW: Acts 3:12-19)
Psalm 4 (The Lord has set apart the faithful for himself; in him, we may lie down in safety)
1 John 3:1-7 (We are God’s children now; we shall be like Jesus, for we will see him face to face)
Luke 24:36-49 (Risen Jesus appears to disciples; opens their minds to understand Scriptures)
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THE PRAYERS
Let us pray to our victorious Savior on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people.
A brief silence
Lord Jesus, we can scarcely imagine seeing you face to face. It’s even harder to imagine looking at each other, and seeing you – perfectly reflected in everyone’s face! Thank you for that promise. Give us grace, when it’s hard to see you in ourselves and each other, to cling to that promise, and to catch a glimpse of your love shining through.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Make you Church in your image. In its words, let unbelievers hear your challenge, forgiveness, and invitation. In its deeds, let them see your love. In its worship, let them see your beauty. In its cross-bearing, let them see your life.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Give your persecuted sisters and brothers the grace to speak St. Peter’s words to their tormentors: “You act in ignorance; repent, believe in him; and be forgiven.”
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Make this congregation bold to proclaim you as our risen Lord. Help us to speak and act in ways that reflect your holiness and love to those around us.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant to our children your dearest blessings. Teach them to trust you with all their heart, and to find happiness in sharing your love with their friends and family.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Deliver all people from the powers of sin, evil, and death. Raise up leaders who seek to do your Father’s will. Especially we pray for our elected and appointed leaders, and for the welfare of this country. Establish your people in righteousness, liberty, and peace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Look with kindness upon all who tend the land and feed the nations with the fruits of their labor. Make them wise and faithful stewards of your bounty. Grant sun and rain in due measure, and preserve your good land from blight, drought, flood, wind, and fire.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray on behalf of all whose needs of body, soul and mind are great. Especially we lift before you the needs of: {List}. Change their suffering into patient endurance, and their sorrow into enduring hope. Transform shame, guilt, and despair into hope-filled repentance, and the power of death into living joy.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, we thank you for fulfilling all your promises to those who died trusting in you. Comfort those who mourn. Walk with us throughout our life’s journey. Transform us into your blest likeness. On that great day when we see you face to face, let us with perfect clarity see you also in the faces of all whom you have redeemed.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant to us all that is in accordance with your will, dear Jesus, and accomplish your salvation among us; for you are risen from the dead and dwell in majesty with your Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.