On This Blessed Easter Day
Testimony★★★★Almighty and eternal God, who hast made us in thy image and breathed into us the breath of life: we thank thee for this day and for the assurance it brings of thy love and care. Especially do we thank thee for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, who conquered death and brought life and immortality to light. May that light shine in our hearts today with such clearness that we shall never again doubt the deathlessness of truth and love and the immortality of the human soul.
Forgive us that so often we have forgotten our heritage as sons of God and have lived as though this life were the only life. Forgive us our preoccupation with temporal things, our little faith, our sordid aims, our feverish efforts after material satisfactions, and our neglect of the things of the spirit.
Lift us to higher levels, our Father, and grant that, appreciating our divine destiny, we may henceforth seek the things that are above. Assured that truth and righteous- ness are eternal, may we not lose heart nor falter in the fight against evil. In the black hour when the battle goes against us may the remembrance of Calvary and Easter morn rekindle our faith and steady our courage until, by thy grace, victory is secure.
On this blessed Easter day we give thee solemn thanks for all those valiant souls who, believing in the power of an endless life, have fought the good fight, have finished the course, and now reign with thee. Especially do we rejoice ror in the triumph of those near and dear to us, the companions of our hearts in other days, whose ennobling memory abides with us, a constant strength and stay. As we think of them may we realize that life is ever lord of death, and love can never lose its own.
O God of the living universe and the loving heart, help us to believe that with thee there is no death, and that if we put our trust in thee and live for thee nothing in heaven or earth shall have power to separate us from thy love. In that faith and by that love help us to walk until faith becomes sight and we be- hold thee face to face, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— _James Dalton Morrison, D.D.
Also attributed to: Unknown
The point
A prayer of gratitude for Easter, asking forgiveness and expressing hope in the resurrection and eternal life, with comfort for those mourning loved ones.