Section One

Prayers that God would orchestrate events in the lives of His people to bring them to the truth of the Gospel.

When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’ Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

-Acts 4:24-31 (NIV)

Their Response:

• They acknowledged God’s sovereignty.

• They asked for boldness, not safety.

• They asked for God to work through them. 

The Result:

• The place where they were meeting was shaken.

• They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

• They spoke the word of God boldly.

Section Two

Prayers that God will descend on our campuses on Easter weekend and open the eyes of the blind to see the truth of the Gospel.

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

-Luke 24:13-32 (NIV)

Responsive Reading: 

Leader: 
On the road of sorrow and confusion, we walk with heavy hearts. 

People: 
The eyes of our neighbors are blinded, and they do not recognize the Hope who has come.

Leader: 
The risen One draws near, though they do not perceive Him. 

People: 
He walks beside them in their questioning and doubt. 
He reaches out to them through moments of sorrow and joy.

Leader: 
He listens to their grief, their fears, and their shattered expectations. 

People: 
He speaks truth, even when hearts are slow to believe. 
The universe echoes His power and majesty, though they do not believe.

Leader: 
Through the Word, He begins to open what was closed. 
Through His Son, He brings those who are far, near.

People: 
Their hearts burn within them as truth is revealed. 
Seeds of the Gospel are sown all around them but the evil one snatches it away. Yet, greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. 
Come Lord Jesus! Rain down Your spirit and truth. 
Open the eyes of the blind. Heal the brokenhearted. 
Rescue the perishing.

Leader: 
We rise and go, with courage and anointing. 
We bring the message of life and the hope of the world.

People: 
Open their eyes O God as we bear witness to the risen Christ. 
The stone is rolled away and new life has begun. 
Roll away the stone that blocks the entrance of the mind and heart. 
Bring forth new life as the light overshadows the darkness.

Leader: 
Speak to these dead bones that they may rise again. 
Make that which was dead alive again.

People: 
Awaken their hearts and transform their lives. 
Show them your holiness. Bring them to repentance. 
Overwhelm them with your grace. Grant them a “Jesus revelation.”

Leader: 
The tomb could not hold Him. Death has been defeated. 

People: 
Those who are lost will be found. 
Those who are blind will begin to see. 
Those who were dead will begin to live. 
Bring salvation to this place! 
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

All: 
Open the eyes of the blind. 
Heal the brokenhearted. 
Set the prisoners free. 
Let us rejoice in the Lord always, 
And again we say, “Rejoice!” 

Section Three

We must both acknowledge our sins and ask for his forgiveness. We must repent. Then and only then can we worship and praise God for what He is about to do. 

Responsive Reading

Leader: 
O Holy and Merciful One, 
we come before You with honest hearts, 
aware of our shortcomings and in need of Your grace. 

People: 
We confess that we have strayed— 
in thought, in word, and in deed. 
We have not loved You with our whole hearts, 
nor loved our neighbors as ourselves.

Leader: 
In silence, let us bring before God 
the burdens we carry and the wrongs we have done. 

People: 
Forgive us, we pray. 
For the harm we have caused, knowingly and unknowingly; 
for the good we have neglected; 
for the truth we have ignored; 
for the love we have withheld.

Leader: 
God of compassion, 
You do not turn away the contrite. 
You receive those who seek restoration 
and renew those who return to You.

People: 
Create in us clean hearts, O God, 
and renew a right spirit within us. 
Restore to us the joy of Your salvation, 
and sustain us with willing spirits.

Leader: 
May we walk forward with humility, 
seeking reconciliation where there is division, 
choosing mercy where there is judgment, 
and living truthfully in the light of Your grace. 

People: 
Strengthen us to turn from what is broken 
and to pursue what is good. 
Guide our steps in paths of justice and peace.

Leader: 
Hear this assurance: 
Grace is offered, mercy is abundant, 
and renewal is always possible. 

People: 
Thanks be to God. 
We rise with hope, forgiven and restored.
Amen.

Easter