Spirit of Life, God of Many Names and One Transforming and Abundant Love,

Quicken our spirits to possibility this Easter morning.

May the hope of this season stir our hearts to compassion and forbearance,

Humbled before this great story of life in the face of suffering,

We remember all those lives who have been taught to endure.

All those people who suffer under adversity.

May we never become complacent to the grief of our neighbor,

May we come to understand the role we have in the strife of this world,

And find the courage of our convictions to transform our lives and our ways.

For those who struggle in silence – we pray:

May we not become consumed in self-doubt,

May we lift up the burden of self-blame,

and find a path forward in love.

We hold up the challenges of this family holiday,

Celebrating with those of us surrounded by loving family,

Mourning with those who are grieving the loss of someone dear,

And honoring the reality that many of us struggle with love and frustration over awkward family meals,

Knowing that sometimes the meal is not even to be had.

God of Love, may we this Easter, come back to our center,

And find in our lives a sense of abundance,

Where we feel broken,

A sense of compassion where we were cold,

And know a message of hope when we are lost.