because Jesus is here Thank you that because of your huge sacrifice we can live free. - Liz Curtis Higgs, Dear Lord, help me to tell of Your wondrous power and mighty acts to those generations that come after me. You can rejoice because your sins are forgiven. Because of You. If you want to think of a way to honor Christ and remember the sacrifice he made for your sin which is what communion is all about there is no better way than how Paul instructs us here in Ephesians. Dear God, We remember today, the pain and suffering of the cross, and all that Jesus was willing to endure, so we could be set free. Forgive me for denying You. Because of love. Learn more about the meaning and significance behind the Easter holiday and Holy Week celebrations: What is Palm Sunday?What is Maundy Thursday?What is Good Friday?What is Holy Saturday? Thank You for Your victory over death. Whenever we come to the communion table, we are remembering and celebrating the broken body and shed blood of Jesus. Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday respectively commemorate Jesus' entry in Jerusalem, the Last Supper and the Crucifixion. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday morning) is a proposal shared with you by the LWF Com - munion Office. However, what is more important than the frequency is the attitude you bring to it. Alleluia! Christ our life,You are alive - to offer re-creationto every unhealed hurtto every deadened placeto every damaged heartAlleluia. Reveal any secret pride, any unconfessed sin, any rebellion or unforgiveness that may be hindering my relationship with You. Submitted by Andy James, First Presbyterian Church, Whitestone, Queens, New York. 8 pages / 26 slides. I declare today that my family will focus on Your goodness. Because of mercy. Read the rest Because of mercy. Wash over every soul with fresh hope and overwhelming joy. InThe Characters of Easter,youll become acquainted with the unlikely collection of ordinary people who witnessed the miracle of Christs death and resurrection. Easter Day - April 4 Easter Day - April 4 To Give Thanks for What God has Done: Service Prayers with Holy Communion Easter Sunday April 4, 2021 Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 John 20:1-18 Since Congregations are returning to "in-person" services at different paces, Worship Ways for will be edited for online use. As I leave this place, help me to hold this fresh remembrance and the story that never grows old close to my heart. A call to embrace new, vibrant possibilities and radical living. In Jesus Name, Amen. I pray this in Jesus' name! For now, I wait in hope and excitement for when I will see you face to face (pink jellybean). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. One of the reasons to pray before you take communion is to give God an opportunity to reveal any sin that you may have been harboring in your heart. Please enable JavaScript on your browser to best view this site. You gave me a spirit of power, and of love, and of the soundness of mind and judgment. Rather than simply saying "remember," Jesus gave us a reminder. How is it, then, that historys most glorious moment is surrounded by fearful fishermen, despised tax collectors, marginalized women, feeble politicians, and traitorous friends? Fill me today with Your powerful Spirit. It is right to give our thanks and praise. And because of You, the resurrection, we, too, can live. Take some time away from the commercial aspect of the holiday with easter eggs, easter baskets, and the Easter bunny to reflect on the true meaning of Easter. In Jesus Name, Amen. -Andrea Herzer. we first stop here at the table of our risen Lord. I confess my unbelief and unwillingness to press on when hope seems dead. In Jesus' Name, Amen. I thank you that because of what you did for me, I can have my sins forgiven and have access to eternal life. You are forgiveness, You bring deep peace to our souls and Your love flows within us. Rejoice in the salvation and blessings we have been given through the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ! To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com. Sunday of Easter (the Third Sunday after Easter according to the Book of Common Prayer). Dear Heavenly Father, We offer you gratitude for the ability to gather for this Easter Dinner Prayer. There are in fact many reasons you can rejoice. There is nothing really that new in this proposal. Prayers of the People, concluding with: Guide us in the path of discipleship, so that, as you have blessed us, we may be a blessing for others, bringing the promise of the kingdom near by our words and deeds. Almanac: the Calendar and Lectionary for Common Worship. I would add to that walking everyday remembering how much your salvation cost, and never taking it for granted. Help me to live today as if I really believe this with every part of my life. Loving God, The price You paid covered me for all time, and my desire is to live for You. - Traci Miles, Photo credits in order:Main article image: GettyImages/leolintangGettyImages/DeagreezGettyImages/ipopbaGettyImages/mbolina. and let us listen to his saving Word. Make us agents of your hope by what we do for others and claim for our lives. Forgiveness Freedom and the ability to walk with You through this fallen world into eternity. Share your own easter prayer words in the comments below and be encouraged by our large praying community! Thank you for dying and then rising from the dead so we could have hope. 9 am, and 11 am include a blessing of palm branches, the reading of the story of Jesus' crucifixion, and holy communion, while the 5 pm service has a slower and gentler feel, incorporating periods of silence as well as holy communion. Thanksgiving and Communion The Lord be with you. How can I ever thank You enough for coming into this world to give Your life for me? So whoever you are, It's not always easy. - Becky Harling, Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to save me from my sins. A Prayer for those who are preparing Children for their First Holy Communion - O Jesus, who hast loved us with such exceeding . In Jesus Name, Amen. We know that you are in the business of resurrection-- your very Son went to the cross to show us that no death is final and that ultimate transformation comes through your gift of salvation. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3). We are asking that You would give us the boldness to proclaim the only solution to what our world is experiencing and that is Your glorious Gospel! Where were you then? waiting for us, We lift them up to the Lord. as we embody the gift of his resurrection in our lives and in our world. Help us remember why You gave Your life. Usually, when we hear "a great light," we tend to think of something like a searchlight stabbing through the darkness, overpowering it with sheer force or a laser which cuts through even hardened steel. Read the rest Table Meditation (Old Testament) for Epiphany 3A 22-Jan-23, When Jesus was asked a question that showed the people who asked it were interested in knowing more about him, he simply replied, "Come and see." 7 Holy Week Prayers to Focus Your Heart on the Passion of Christ, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. But while my relationship is secure with you, I know sin can break our fellowship at times. We ask that you renew our hearts, minds, and lives, for the days ahead. DisciplesNet newsletter, Donate to DisciplesNet using DisciplesNet Online Giving, To use postal mail, address checks to "DisciplesNet Church" and mail to:DisciplesNet Church, Donate or ask about giving by e-Mail using giving@disciplesnet.org. Required fields are marked *. We take communion to remember the night in which Jesus was betrayed. He has also just released his new book The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. We confess our need for youfreshnewagain. What does that mean? COMMUNION PRAYERChrist, who was there before the universe was calledinto creation;Christ who was anticipated by the prophets andprepared for by the people;Christ, who was born in a manger, baptized in theJordan, and who calmed storms on the sea ofGalilee;Christ,who fed us all with word, with healing, withloaves and fishes;Christ who saved us with a cross and an emptytomb;Christ, who never faded, never abandoned, nevertruly left us;Christ, of love, it is with you, and because of you,and in celebration of you, that we gather aroundyour table this morning. But sin hurts both my heart and Yours. Why Do We Need to Be Crucified with Christ? For shedding Your blood, assuring us we will live with You forever. Though we were made from dust, and our bodies will return to dust again, we can live in eternal glory with you through the blood of your Son. Through the Savior who saves completely. Thank you for communicating your love for us in a way that is so personal, so extravagant, and so gracious. Lift up your hearts. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. - Pete Briscoe, Lord, how can we ever thank You enough? A Prayer for Easter Sunday Lord God, you loved this world so much that you gave your one and only Son, that we might be called your children too. We worship your holy name and give thanks for your redeeming grace. Signs of peace may be offered and exchanged. - Do not be afraid." A communion prayer is a prayer that you can say when you take communion and share in the body and blood of Jesus Christ. You love me like a perfect parent. "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." to this celebration of new life There are a number of ways that we can see more of and understand more of Jesus and one of them is before us right now. Read the rest Table Meditation (Gospel) for Epiphany 2A 15-Jan-23, The visit of the wise men can tell us a lot of things. When you remember the cost of your salvation and realize you had nothing to do with it, but it was all because of Gods love, grace, and mercy, then you can walk worthy. The flowers can be picked up after worship on Easter Sunday. Dont let communion just be a solemn moment, let it be a celebratory moment because there are reasons to celebrate. His own prayer, "Thy Kingdom come, on earth as . Thank You for erasing my sin and calling me Your own. Where, O death is your sting? In Jesus Name, Amen. I take the time to remember your great sacrifice for my sins. - Mary Southerland, Father God, Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to this earth. You can rejoice because you have eternal life. And remembering this story, we gather aroundthis table, and we break bread and pour wine,and we are made whole, and we give thanks thateverything Jesus did was for love and for us. Let it be that we carry in our hearts the sacrifice Jesus made for us not just on communion Sunday, but every day. When you truly understand and remember what Jesus has done for you, there really is no other way you can possibly live. - Traci Miles, Lord, You are so amazing! I want to enjoy a relationship with you, as well. We may reflect your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing. Offering Easter prayers of blessing is one of the most powerful ways to remember the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus and his resurrection from the grave. - Mary Southerland. As we ask you to bless our food and conversation, we remember why we celebrate Easter. Her daily devotional Daily in Your Presence is available for delivery through Crosswalk.com. One of those things is that Jesus is a king, but he's not the usual type of king. Read the rest Table Meditation (Gospel) for Epiphany A 8-Jan-23. What better place of repentance than when you are remembering the sacrifice Jesus made for your sin? May Your resurrecting power shine forth in my life and the lives of my loved ones. - Rick Warren. Amen. Help me celebrate that life every day as I seek You and follow Your plan for my life. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day." - Maria Miriam, Ah Lord God, as I celebrate Easter and the triumphant victory of Jesus Christ over death and hell and sin, I fall down before You and worship You. Filed Under: communion, Easter Day, prayers Tagged With: Alleluia, AndyJ, Communion, Easter, prayer after communion, Your email address will not be published. - Liz Curtis Higgs, Dear Lord, draw my thoughts upward toward You every minute of every day, but especially this Easter. Communion is a sacrament that originates from the Holy Eucharist. wherever you have been, All for your glory do we pray, Lord, Amen. It signifies that we are part of the Church and we are sharing in Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension. Lets make it a point to celebrate our Savior every day, because the broken body and spilled blood are just as precious today as they were on the day he was crucified. I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. and we never could have imagined what we see today. Consecrate this loaf and this fruit ofthe vine. Each time I take communion, Lord, I want to recommit my life, my heart, my thoughts, my everything to You. Forgive me, Lord. Show us the presence of the risen Christ as we celebrate this meal. Prayer is a way of thanking God for all that he has done for us throughout . Youll never disown me or leave me. Thank you that you loved me enough to send a perfect sacrifice, so that we could live together eternally. In Jesus Name, Amen. You dont have to believe what I believe, or what,the person sitting next to you believes. It is so easy to get sidetracked by the things going on around us, but when you come to the time of communion, it makes things very clear, very quickly. We especially remember communion during Holy Week, the events that led to Jesus' crucifixion, death, and resurrection. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect (1 Peter 1:18-19). Rebecca Barlow Jordan is an inspirational author, speaker, and passionate follower of Jesus who loves to encourage others heart to heart. Salem Media Group. 22-February-23 Paul warns us that we should always examine ourselves before taking communion. May these weeks leading up to the tragedy of Good Friday and the glory of Resurrection Sunday remind us of who you are, how you love us, and who you have created us to be as your followers Read more of our Prayer for Lent. - "I know that you are looking for Jesus." And also with you. Help me see Your grace. Because we desperately need them both. This should keep us humble before him remembering that if he didnt do it for us, we would still be without hope. You just have to come, exactly as you are, seekingthe one who is seeking you.