For this Easter day and all the Easters of our lives;
We thank you with hearts overflowing, O God.
For times when we were violated by word or deed and were raised again;
We thank you with the vitality of our lives, O God.
For dead ends which became new beginnings;
We thank you with the freshness of hope, O God.
For graves which caught our tears but could not hold those for whom we wept;
We thank you with the gratitude of healing, O God.
For the presence in our midst of a living Lord;
We give you our Alleluias, O God.
Amen.
- Dr. Freda Gardner, Moderator of the 211th General Assembly (1999) of the PC(USA), professor emerita of Christian Education, Princeton Theological Seminary
This prayer appears in Justice and Peace Shall Kiss: Praying through the Year a book of prayers by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. Call (800) 524-2612; order PDS 24358-09-001; $3.00 plus shipping and handling.