Lord Jesus, our Redeemer, You willingly gave Yourself up to death so that all people might be saved and pass from death into a new life. Listen to our prayers; look with love on Your people who mourn and pray for their beloved departed ones, snatched away this dark day. Lord Jesus, You alone are holy and compassionate; forgive these your children their sins.
By dying You opened the gates of life for those who believe in You; do not let Your children be parted from You, but by Your glorious power give them light, joy, and peace in heaven where You live for ever and ever. Amen.
O Lord,
there are moments that we don’t understand
the chaos you present us with,
the darkness of the road ahead,
the pain and the suffering and grief.
In those moments when I want to scream out “Why me?”
let me hear your voice say “Why not you?”
and teach me the right questions to ask,
how to be salt and light even when the darkness surrounds me,
how to say, “Where does it hurt?”,
and “What can I do?”
and the hardest thing of all, “Help!”
May I this day, and always,
see Christ in those you put before me,
even when anger percolates through my heart
and I want to reach out and hit something,
even when tears touch my heart and eyes,
and I want to roll into a ball,
even when I have no answers,
except to remember you,
and the darkest of days,
and how you gave all.
O Lord,
teach me to love as you love,
this day and always,
Amen.