The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the turning point of the world. Death becomes new and eternal life. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, our lives are changed today and have meaning throughout eternity. Christ is alive. He is risen! Alleluia!
*** Grant, O Lord, that as we are baptised into the death of thy blessed Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, so by continual mortifving our corrupt affections we may be buried with him; and that through the grave, and gate of death, we may pass to our joyful resurrection; for his merits, who died, and was buried, and rose again for us, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. *** O God, grant to us to share in the life and the death and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Grant that through him and with him we may die to sin and live to righteousness. Grant that through him and with him our old self may die, and a new self, victorious over sin and lovely with goodness, may be created. Grant that through him and with him we may become a new creation in which the old things have passed away, and in which everything has become new. So grant that even here and now we may die to sin and be reborn to goodness. And grant that we may be so one with our risen Lord that, when life ends for us in this world, we may know that death is the gateway to eternal life. Make us quite certain that those who die will live again. Deliver us from the fear of death; and make us to know that death is not the end but the beginning of life, not the twilight but the dawn, not the midnight but the breaking day. So grant us the certainty that beyond death there is a life, Where the broken things are mended, And the lost things found; Where there is rest for the weary, And joy for the sad; Where all we have hoped and willed of good Shall exist; Where the dream will come true, And the ideal will be realized; Where we shall be for ever with our Lord. So grant us the Easter certainty that life is stronger than death; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. William Barclay Prayer Book |
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