The day after
the day after
the day after Easter
is still
Easter.

We have seen the stone
moved away.
Fled in terror.
Fast forwarded to the
present moments’
pastel joys and
vivid sorrows.

Most merciful and loving God

We beg to remain joyful, to
stand still awed, to
stand still in our own fear and trembling.

We pray today for nuclear negotiations
feckless politicians
drought conditions.

We lift up educational testing and
students who dream of learning and
those who don’t know how.

We grieve those who pass from
our earthly world unto yours.
We grieve their absence and our longing.

We rejoice with music on the radio
strings and brass and pipes or
lyrics that we know.

We rejoice with baseball games, dear God, and
long glorious sunsets
ephemeral spring flowers
small green leaves on trees.

We rejoice with soft voices,
tucking our children tenderly
beneath light covers
in the deep quiet of darkness.

Near and distant God,

we pray today for the
students of Garissa, for
those who died and
those who live on.

We rejoice for Anthony Ray Hinton
as we face the shame of our efforts meant to kill him.
We are thankful
this man was spared.

In this Easter season,
we know that you, God, are everywhere among us,
we are reminded that we see you and must seek you especially
among the least of these.

We pray for the memory of Jesus Christ,
shot in the back.
Jesus Christ, also known as
Walter L. Scott
formerly of North Charleston, South Carolina.

We pray for the memory of Jesus Christ, also known as
Rodney Todd
and his 7 children aged 6-15
Cameron
ZhiHeem
Tyjuziana
Tykeria
TyNijuzia
TyNiah
TyBregia

In this Easter season, dear God,
we pray for the people of
Aleppo, Ayotzinapa, and Aden.
We pray for Muslims and Jews and Christians
in Israel and Palestine.
We pray for
peace
justice
mercy
food, shelter, safety
medical care
books
pencils
laughter.

God of love and light
God of mercy and justice
God of yesterday and tomorrow
God of this moment
this moment of Easter

We lift our hearts unto you and
raise a loud

Amen.