Weekly Prayer – April 23, 2025

Written by Rev. Tim Best*

*This prayer was offered by Rev. Tim Best on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025.

Risen and exalted Lord,

We praise you with glad and hopeful hearts on this of new life when we celebrate your victory over sin and death. We open our mouths in praise and sing glad and joyous tunes that help us give word and feeling to the beautiful mystery of this day. Fill our spirits with joy and our lungs with praise as we rejoice in the midst of the world at your conquest of the powers of the grave. As the classic hymn proclaims, we declare that up from the grave Christ arose. We do marvel and wonder at the mighty triumph over those forces of death and darkness. Fill us with renewed hope that we may shout with our words and our lives, “Hallelujah, Christ is risen!”

Christ is risen, and with his victory the powers of sin and death show their weakness. Like those early morning visitors to your grave, you remind us that we are quick to spend time amongst the forces of death. We are convinced of the power of death, and are slow to comprehend the fullness of your gift of abundant life. Have mercy on us and strengthen our spirits that we might resist the forces of death and division. We pray for those who feel hopeless. We pray for those gripped by death dealing powers. Forgive us for the ways we turn to the powers of death and sin to protect and deliver us. We are perplexed by the empty tomb because we have grown enchanted by violence and coercion. Confront us with the dazzling and joyful declaration that the tomb, and the power we believed it held, is empty. Renew our spirits that we may search for and discover new life in Christ our Lord.

God of patient promise, as we celebrate the joyful victory of your love, we continue to pray for the fullness of your kingdom. The grave of our Lord is empty, yet we continue to grieve, and wait, and pray. We find our hope in the promise that Christ’s is just the first tomb to be emptied. Comfort those who mourn. Even as we shout “Where O death is your victory?” Guide us to be a community that cares for those who grieve. We look for that day when the sting of death of fully and finally taken away. We pray for the coming of your kingdom and the arrival of the day when every tomb will be empty and every grave a sign of your victory of love.

In praise and trust of your victory for us and for the world, we join our voices and our hearts as we offer these petitions to you, O Christ, our Risen Lord. Hear us as we pray that prayer which you have taught us, saying together…

We give thanks for….

• Successful surgeries, growth and development of premature grandson.
• Being cancer free!
• The life and example of Pope Francis and how he impacted the world.
• Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services – they were so meaningful and moving. Thank you!
• Friends who help before and after surgery.

We pray for…

• A daughter whose mother died last night; prayers for peace and prayers for her family.
• The Roman Catholic Church as the process to select a new pope begins. 
• A woman who asks for prayers for her healing and for forgiveness.
• A daughter as she awaits results from her 82-year old mother’s MRI and other scans. Anticipating dementia diagnosis. Praying for clarity of other health concerns.
• A sister who is hoping for a promotion at work while also being a caregiver for mother.
• One who is seeking direction on work / career concerns.
• For a member whose immune system is compromised from cancer treatments; prayers for patience, comfort, and healing as she is feeling isolated.

We continue to pray for…

• A mother dealing with a recent diagnosis and waiting on further testing.
• Those who are receiving chemo and/or radiation treatments.
• Those who are ‘stuck’ between doctor’s appointments, test results and next appointments … May God give them healing patience.
• Family members who are trying to balance caregiving and work and family responsibilities.
• Those who are impacted by homelessness.
• So many who are dealing with Alzheimers and how best to care for family members. Praying for strength!
• For a friend who has terminal cancer and has now broken her femur. Prayers for comfort and peace. 
• Friends and family members needing prayers
• A wife who has been diagnosed with stage-4 metastatic cancer; prayers for her family.
• A wife who is in pain due to GI issues; prayers for comfort and peace as she waits for surgery at end of this month.