Easter Vigil

Thematic Faithful Midwife, as you delivered the Hebrews safely out of the long labor of slavery, so, morning by morning, you draw us forth into the new day. Surround us with a cloud of witnesses, and sustain us by your powerful word, that, in the night of loneliness and fear, we, being weary, may not lose heart but push toward the joy that is to come, laboring with Christ to give birth to your promised kingdom. Amen. OR Creator of the universe, you made the world in beauty, and restore all things in glory through the victory of Jesus Christ. We pray that, wherever your image is still disfigured by poverty, sickness, selfishness, war, and greed, the new creation in Jesus Christ may appear in justice, love, and peace, to the glory of your name. Amen. OR Mighty God, in whom we know the power of redemption, you stand among us in the shadows of our time. As we move through every sorry and trial of this life, uphold us with knowledge of the final morning when, in the glorious presence of your risen Son, we will share in his resurrection, redeemed and restored to the fullness of life and forever freed to be your people. Amen. Intercessory As we remember the story of God’s gracious presence with us through life and death, we lift our prayers on behalf of all creation. Prayers of the People, concluding with: God of salvation, your wisdom and compassion guide us in the midst of pain and grief, in the midst of temptation and fear. Through your resurrection power heal our sorrow and uplift us in delight, that we may know that fulfillment of your promise in our restoration to wholeness. Amen. Scripture O God of glory, in the Easter dawn you raised Jesus from death to life. As we are united with him in death, so unite us with him in resurrection, that we may walk in newness of life. Amen. The texts of the Revised Common Lectionary Prayers were made possible with the cooperation of the Consultation on Common Texts, the ecumenical authoring body for the Revised Common Lectionary and the initiating body for the prayers. The prayers were written by many pastors from across the denominational spectrum—Catholic, Christian, Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopal, etc. They are the group to which the credit belongs. Reproduced from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress. Used with permission. A complete edition of the prayers is available through Augsburg Fortress.