When you hear the words, "We pray in your Spirit," please respond with, "Hear our prayers."

O God, we thank you for the family of the church. In our own lives and through our own story-telling, you continue to speak through our witness to Christ's way. Help us to proclaim your ever-unfolding story through our words and actions, in our prayers and our worship, for we are whole beings, made in your image and likeness. We pray in your Spirit...    "Hear our prayers."

We thank you for our ancestors in faith. We are grateful for Thomas whom Jesus also loved, who dared to give voice to questions and doubts we often have. We give thanks, also, for Mary who spoke boldly of your transforming love, even when challenged by the status quo. May the examples of Thomas and Mary embolden us to make your way a priority for us. We are grateful for all who share their story with others in witness or in action. We pray in your Spirit...    "Hear our prayers."

We thank you for the legacy of Jesus' many followers, who inspire us to be firm in resisting the deceptions that are offered to us by human authorities. Through the stories of faith, we see evidence of your goodness. And in the mystery of what unfolds before us, day by day, we trust in your leading. Lead us in your way. We pray for the Windermere Valley Shared Ministry of Christ Church Trinity-Invermere, All Saints-Edgewater, and St. Peter's-Windermere. As they begin the search for a new minister, may the guidance of your Spirit be with them. Bless those who live the Easter story at Nyanyadzi Methodist Church in Zimbabwe. We pray in your Spirit...    "Hear our prayers."

We thank you for all who are connected to us and who are in need of care and compassion. We hold them in our hearts and commend them to your heart of transformation, dear God. We name all those on our Prayer List and the family and friends of the mines killed in West Virginia, the family and friends of government leaders killed in Poland, and others in this moment of silence...    ... We pray in your Spirit...    "Hear our prayers."

Part of the Easter story is that the whole of creation is transformed by your love, O God, like an 8th day of creation. Bless us that we might be part of that transformation in how we live our lives, reduce our carbon footprint and live with more respect in creation. In living more simply, we empower one another to live more fully and abundantly in the grace of God and the wonder and mystery of the world in which we are fellow travelers. May the growing groundswell of global environmental awareness reach the ears of our national political leaders so that change with political intention may be achieved. In our world-wide prayer cycle, we pray for the countries of East Timor, Indonesia, Philippines. In this season of Easter, we pray for Peacemakers and peacekeepers serving throughout the world. We pray in your Spirit...    "Hear our prayers."

The world is indeed charged with the grandeur of God as Gerard Manly Hopkins wrote, the morning at the brown brink eastward springs. May we live the Easter Spirit of renewal, greening and growth, this day and always. May we know all life as brother and sister and live with respect in this great creation you have made. In the name of the Resurrected One we pray.

And the people say... "AMEN."