Prayer

Based on Luke 24:1-12

The cold breaking dawn Reveals confusing pictures Stone rolled Tomb empty Nothing as expected

LORD, what’s going on? I don’t understand what’s happening Still my racing mind Unnerved by the unscripted

The lightning bright heralds Thunder interruption: ‘He is not here!

He has risen!

Remember what He said?’

Alarm morphs to shock LORD, how violent hope arrests us! Resurrection’s overwhelming When it’s really there before us When it’s more than talk and taglines When it’s not some distant dream When it’s happening today I’m so surprisingly unready

But yes… I do remember… You told us that you’d do this Understated promise Over all our heads:

‘After I die, I’ll live.’

I did not hear it Because I did not believe it LORD, let me hear it now! ‘He’s alive!’

‘He has risen!’

LORD, let those words Sink into my soul Save me from despair Inspire me to hope Engulf me with life

Let us be a Church Who cannot help but sing Giddily spilling out Gushing joy for life reborn

Let us be those who Declare hope Declare life Declare victory Declare that there is more

Beyond dead ends Beyond dead wood Beyond dead dreams Beyond deadly serious Beyond all death amidst us Bring life!

May people call us crazy When we make outrageous claims Of a Risen Saviour Who calls us each by name

Because you are alive We speak to you in prayer Jesus, too much of us is dead So do it again, we pray Bring life to us!

May we make such a racket That we’re accused of nonsense And yet stir souls To run along And see it’s true:

The tomb is empty ‘He is risen!’

Amen.