April 23, 2023, 3rd Sunday of Easter
Note: Even if today isn’t a usual Communion Sunday, consider making it one!!
Acts 2:14a, 36-41 (Pentecost: Peter exhorts listeners to repent, be baptized)
Psalm 116:1-14 (15-19) (Thanksgiving for deliverance from illness)
1 Peter 1:17-25 (You were ransomed not with gold, but the precious blood of Christ)
Luke 24:13-35 (The Road to Emmaus story)
Let us pray to our risen Savior on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.
A brief silence
Thank you, Jesus, for walking with us on our Emmaus roads. Thank you for speaking, not over our heads, but with clear words that bring Scripture to life in our hearts. Thank you for making yourself known to us in the breaking of the bread. Thank you for your patient kindness when we are sad and bewildered.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
You ransom and purify your Church with your own precious blood. Grant that the Church glorifies you you, lives in glad obedience to you, and preaches your Gospel to all.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Hear the cries of those who are persecuted on account of you. Rescue them from suffering and sorrow. By their humble trust in you, cause the hearts of their tormentors to be cut to the quick, that they may turn to you and be saved.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Grant that the teachings and testimony of missionaries, seminary professors and students, and theologians of the Church, cause many hearts to burn with repentance, faith, and joy. Prosper the words and works all who walk in paths of discipleship, to your glory and for the building up of your people.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Bless this congregation with your dear presence. Cause our hearts to burn within us as we hear your Word. Come to us in the breaking of the bread at your Table. Kindle sincere affection and love between us all. Make us eager and tireless in telling our family, friends, and neighbors about your love for them, which has triumphed over sin and death.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Be the companion, comfort, and sure defense of everyone who is far from home and family. By your grace, grant that they all may find a true and eternal home with you.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Heal the suspicions, cruelty, and self-centeredness which afflict the people and leaders of every nation. Teach us reverent obedience to your Father, who judges impartially according to our deeds. Cut our hearts to the quick when we see hurts and injustices. Give us strength to help however we can. Make all of us slow to condemn and swift to show mercy.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
We plead on behalf of all who suffer in body, mind, heart, or spirit – including: {List}. Rescue their lives from death, their eyes from tears, and their feet from stumbling. Let them walk again in the land of the living, and praise your steadfast love towards them.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Dear Jesus, with gratitude and affection, we remember your servants whose death is precious in your sight. Stay with us who still walk the long Emmaus roads of life. Bestow on us the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Deliver us from sin and sorrow; and teach us to love each other. Lead us into your Father’s house. There, with everyone whom you have delivered from death, we will lift your Cup of salvation; eat your Bread of Life; behold you face to face; and adore you in the power of the Spirit forever.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
We praise and magnify you, dear Jesus. Accept our prayers and lay them at the feet of your Father, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns gloriously as our Lord and our God, now and forever. Amen.
