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I
Prayer after the first reading
about the creation:
Genesis
1:1-2:2:
Let us pray.
Almighty and eternal God,
you created all things in wonderful beauty
and order.
Help us now to perceive
how still more wonderful is the new creation
by which in the fullness of time
you redeemed your people
through the sacrifice of our passover, Jesus
Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Or on the creation of man:
Genesis 1:1, 26-31a:
Let us pray.
Lord God,
the creation of man was a wonderful work,
his redemption still more wonderful.
May we persevere in right reason
against all that entices to sin
and so attain to everlasting joy.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
The
Next Reading
II
Prayer after the second reading
about Abraham's sacrifice:
Genesis
22:1-18; or 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18:
Let us pray.
God and Father of all who believe in you,
you promised Abraham that he would become
the father of all nations,
and through the death and resurrection of
Christ
you fulfill that promise:
everywhere throughout the world you increase
your chosen people.
May we respond to your call
by joyfully accepting your invitation to the
new life of grace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
The
Next Reading
III
Prayer after the third reading
about the passage through the Red Sea:
Exodus
4:15-15:1.
Let us pray.
Father,
even today we see the wonders
of the miracles you worked so long ago.
You once saved a single nation from slavery,
and now you offer that salvation to all through
baptism.
May the peoples of the world become true sons
of Abraham
and prove worthy of the heritage of Israel.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Or:
Let us pray.
Lord God,
in the new covenant
you shed light on the miracles you worked
in ancient times:
the Red Sea is a symbol of our baptism,
and the nation you freed from slavery
is a sign of your Christian people.
May every nation
share the faith and privilege of Israel
and come to new birth in the Holy Spirit.
We ask this through Chirst our Lord.
The
Next Reading
IV
Prayer after the fourth reading
about the new Jerusalem:
Isaiah
54:5-14:
Let us pray.
Almighty and eternal God,
glorify your name by increasing your chosen
people
as you promised long ago.
In reward for their trust,
may we see in the Church the fulfillment of
your promise.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
The
Next Reading
V
Prayer after the fifth reading
about salvation freely offered to all:
Isaiah 55:1-11:
Let us pray.
Almighty, ever-living God,
only hope of the world,
by the preaching of the prophets
you proclaimed the mysteries we are celebrating
tonight.
Help us to be your faithful people,
for it is by your inspiration along
that we can grow in goodness.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
The
Next Reading
VI
Prayer after the sixth reading
about the fountain of wisdom:
Baruch
3:9-15, 32-4:4:
Let us pray.
Father,
you increased your Church
by continuing to call all people to salvation.
Listen to our prayers and always watch over
those you cleanse in baptism.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
The
Next Reading
VII
Prayer after the seventh reading
about a new heart and a new spirit:
Ezekiel
36:16-17a, 18-28:
Let us pray.
God of unchanging power and light,
look with mercy and favor on your entire Church.
Bring lasting salvation to mankind,
so that the world may see
the fallen lifted up,
the old made new,
and all things brought to perfection,
through him who is their origin,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Or:
Let us pray.
Father,
you teach us in both the Old and the New Testament
to celebrate this passover mystery.
Help us to understand your great love for
us.
May the goodness you now show us
confirm our hope in your future mercy.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Or if there are candidates to
be baptized:
Let us pray.
Almighty and eternal God,
be present in this sacrament of your love.
Send your Spirit of adoption
on those to be born again in baptism.
And may the work of our humble ministry
be brought to perfection by your mighty power.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
VIII
After the Gloria, and before
the Epistle -
The Opening Prayer:
Let us pray.
Lord God,
you have brightened this night
with the radiance of the risen Christ.
Quicken the spirit of sonship in your Church;
anew us in mind and body
to give you whole-hearted service.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your
Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
The Next Reading:
The Epistle:
Romans
6:3-11
The Gospel:
Matthew
28:1-10 |
