We rejoice, heavenly Father,
in the truth that Jesus rose from the dead.

Yet we see that this is not simply a truth in the public arena of history
to be absorbed quickly and then set to one side.
For if indeed your dear Son, the God-man, rose from the dead,
then everything is changed.
His victory over death is confirmed.
The sacrifice he provided has been vindicated.
Already he is the head of a new humanity that will one day share in his resurrection-likeness.
And his people, heavenly Father,
rejoice to bow before him and cry, “My Lord and my God.”

Grant that each of us may cry,
“Forgive my sin as you forgave the sin of that paralyzed man,
my Lord and my God.”
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

- adapted from D.A. Carson’s The God Who Is There: Finding Your Place in God’s Story

All creation proclaims you,
All creatures revere you.
Every gust of wind breathes a prayer to you,
Every rustling tree sings a hymn to you.

All things are upheld by you.
And they move according to your harmonious design.

The whole world longs for you,
And all people desire you.

Yet you have set yourself apart,
You are far beyond our grasp.
You are the purpose of all that exists,
But you do not let us understand you.

Lord, I want to speak to you.
By what name shall I call you?

Gregory of Nazianzus
329-389

- Anselm of Canterbury, 1033-1109 A.D.

God our Father,
Creator of all things,
true source of light and wisdom,
origin of all that is:

Thank you for calling me to faith,
for planting your Word in my heart,
and for delivering me from my sin.

Thank you for calling me to your service,
for giving me the ability to teach your Word
and share this good news with others.

I am overwhelmed at the thought of teaching on the gospel.
I feel so inadequate to deliver something of value about news that is priceless.
I am unworthy to be given the privilege of thinking deeply
about news too marvelous for angels to comprehend.

Be ever gracious to me.
Let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding.
Give me confidence in the power of your gospel.
Grant me clarity in understanding and proclaiming the truths of your Word.
Edify your church through this work.

Father Almighty,
empower your people to tell the gospel story,
to recount your wondrous deeds
which shine light on your glorious and holy character.

Lord Jesus Christ,
empower your people to announce the good news
that you have brought to earth the life of heaven,
that you have sacrificed yourself for sinners,
that you have been raised from the dead
and exalted as Lord over all creation.

Holy Spirit,
empower us to live in light of the gospel,
declaring its truth with our words,
and embodying this truth through our actions.
Give us love for you and love for one another.
Amen.

We ask that You will graciously forgive all our sins according to Your promise, for the sake of the passion and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Your grace we are heartily sorry for all our transgressions. Illumine our hearts, that we may lay aside all works of darkness and as children of light may walk in the light and live a new life in all godliness.

Bless the proclamation of Your divine Word here and in the mission fields. Strengthen all faithful labourers in Your vineyard.

We pray for those whom You have set over us, that as servants of You, the King of kings and Lord of lords, they may rule according to the calling You give them. Give endurance to all who are persecuted because of their faith and deliver them from their enemies. Destroy all the works of the devil. Comfort the distressed. Show Your mercy and help to all who call upon Your holy Name in sickness and other trials of life. Deal with us and with all Your people according to Your grace in Christ Jesus our Lord, who assured us that You will do whatever we ask in His Name. Amen.

- HT – Challies

Praise and thanksgiving be unto you, O God,
who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ
and set him at your right hand in the kingdom of glory.

Praise and thanksgiving be unto you, O Lord Jesus Christ,
you Lamb of God who has redeemed us by your blood,
you heavenly Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us,
you eternal King who comes again to make all things new.

Praise and thanksgiving be unto you, O Holy Spirit,
who has shed abroad the love of God,
who quickens us together with Christ,
and makes us to sit with him in heavenly places,
and to taste the good Word of God and the powers of the age to come.

Blessing and glory,
and wisdom and thanksgiving,
and honour and power and might,
be unto you our God for ever and ever. Amen

- Thomas F. Torrance.

All our dependence is placed on you
since the day when you taught us to believe in Jesus Christ
and now, you are all in all to us,
You are our fullness,
and we lose ourselves and find ourselves completely in you.

We would lie in the very dust before you because of sin;
and yet, at the same time, rejoice in the great Sin-bearer,
that the sin is not imputed to us,
that it is put away by his precious blood,
that we are accepted in the Beloved.
But even this does not content us;
we are crying after the work of the Holy Spirit within,
till Satan shall be bruised under our feet,
and sin shall be utterly destroyed.

This is our soul’s grandest desire,
that Jesus’ name be lifted high,
and his throne be set up among the people,
to the praise of the glory of His grace.

- Charles Spurgeon, 1880

- Ignatius, 1491-1556

O word of God, so clear and true,
Renew our minds to trust in You;
And give to us the bread of life
That we may know the Risen Christ.

O love of God, so unrestrained,
Refresh our souls in Jesus’ name.
Let us reflect Your sacrifice
That we may know the Risen Christ.

May God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit make us one.
In holiness let us unite
That we may know the Risen Christ.

- Keith & Kristyn Getty

I am blind – send him to make me see;
dark – let him say, “Let there be light!”

May his comforts cheer me in my sorrows,
his strength sustain me in my trials,
his blessings revive me in my weariness,
his presence render me a fruitful tree of holiness,
his might establish me in peace and joy,
his incitements make me ceaseless in prayer,
his animation kindle in me undying devotion.

- from Valley of Vision