(ThyBlackMan.com) Kyrie eléison is Greek for “Lord have mercy.” Ladies and gentlemen, as we approach Easter – Resurrection Sunday – people we love, respect, and cherish are likely preparing to lift their voices in praise, in worship, and in thanksgiving to God. So am I. Easter/Resurrection Sunday is a religious holiday all about renewal. Holy Week should promote the reclamation of agape love: the love between the saved and unsaved; the love between those at peace and those in conflict; and the love God’s people have amongst themselves. Even those at war observe ceasefires on occasion. This isn’t about my will; or even your will. It’s about God’s will. Let’s honor that today – together.
Contemplate the prayers of the people found on pages 383-385 of the Book of Common Prayer:
With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord, saying, “Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above, for the loving-kindness of God, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
Foe the peace of the world, for the welfare of the holy Church of God, and for the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For our Bishop, and for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For our President, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For this city of Thomasville, for every city and community, and for those who live in them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For seasonable weather, and for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For those who travel on land, on water, in the air [or through outer space], let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and for the sick and the suffering, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For your friends and family members and colleagues, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed and the destitute, for prisoners and captives, and for all who remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, and for all the departed, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For deliverance from all danger, violence, oppression, and degradation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the absolution and remission of our sins and offenses, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
That we may end our lives in faith and hope, without suffering and without reproach, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
Defend us, deliver us, and in thy compassion protect us, O Lord, by thy grace. Lord, have mercy.
In the communion of all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to Christ our God. To thee, O Lord our God.
For Easter Sunday 2014, I pray for the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, the Tax Party, the Libertarian Party, and the Independent Party. I ask that God will bless each of the members of those organizations with love, joy, peace, purpose, unity, and clarity. I happily pray for these blessings without hesitation or qualification.
For this Easter Sunday, I pray for all systems of faith. I pray for Jews and Muslims, Catholics and Episcopalians, Lutherans and Baptists, Evangelicals and Protestants, Presbyterians and Methodists, Congregationists and Independents.
Lord have mercy on those who prefer hatred over love, chaos over reason, division over unity, discrimination (of any type) over equality, fighting over reconciliation, and ignorance over common sense.
In light of this Easter Sunday, I pray for those who are truly free, those who merely think they are free, and those who honestly don’t know the difference. Today, I pray the Lord our God will forgive us for our transgressions against Him – and for our transgressions against each other. Lord, bless us with the genuine desire to be better than we ever thought, wiser than we ever thought, and more loving than we ever thought possible. Thank you for sacrificing your precious son, Jesus, to wash away our sins.
Happy Easter, everyone! It is my fervent hope you’ll enjoy this holy day with your loved ones. O Theós na sas evlogeí. O Theós na evlogeí tin Amerikí. Eíthe o Theós na evlogeí ton planíti Gi. Kyrie eléison.
Staff Writer; Arthur L. Jones, III
This talented brother is a local Minister, weekly featured Democratic Op-Ed columnist, non-profit advisor, and sees the Braves winning it all this fall. Rev. Jones welcomes your comments! Please email him directly at: tcdppress@gmail.com.
