Lord, direct our thoughts, and teach us to pray. Lift up our hearts to worship you in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Breathe on us, breath of God. Fill us with life anew, that as you love so may we love, and do what you would do.

Acts 2:14a, 22-32

Let us pray:

Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.

May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the day:

Risen Christ, for whom no door is locked, no entrance barred: open the doors of our hearts, that we may seek the good of others and walk the joyful road of sacrifice and peace, to the praise of God the Father. Amen.

John 20:19-31

Peace. What does the word mean to you?

Peace in the sense of no war?

Peace in the sense of a still, quiet place - perhaps the bank of a slow-flowing river, or a calm sea?

Peace in the sense of an absence of stress or anxiety or troubling thoughts?

Peace in the sense of a deep, inner calm, a confident assurance of hope which overcomes fear?

Jesus said “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus didn’t promise that people wouldn’t fight, that all would be still or quiet, or that nothing would give us cause for concern.

The peace that Jesus gives is the inner calm, recognition of the love of God which will remain with us, giving us the strength and courage to see it through, whatever happens.

We are given the guidance and gifts of the Holy Spirit as we follow the teaching and example of Jesus, living lives of service with sacrificial, generous love.

May the peace of the Lord be with you as we see this lockdown through.

And may the peace of the Lord be always with you.

Prayers for the Church, the world, our community, families and friends, and all who are sick, suffering or bereaved, followed by the Lord’s prayer.

We cannot share in the bread and wine, and yet we share in the body and cup of our Lord Jesus Christ having followed him in spirit and in truth through the journey of the cross and resurrection.

Father of all, we give you thanks and praise that when we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home. Dying and living, he declared your love, gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory. May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to himself, the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in his service, the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our hearts; and may the blessing of God Almighty who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon us and and be with us always. Amen.

Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.