Proper Prayers for the 5th Sunday in Lent (Year A)
Ezekiel 37.1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8.6-11; John 11.1-45
Collect of the Day
Almighty God, your Son came into the world to free us all from sin and death. Breathe upon us with the power of your Spirit, that/so that we may be raised to new life in Christ, and serve you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [1]
or
Almighty God, your Son came into the world to free us all from sin and death. Breathe upon us with the power of your Spirit, that/so that we may be raised to new life in Christ, and serve you in righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [2]
or
God of compassion, you call us out of the bindings of death on this, our resurrection day: make us ready to surrender the fear in which we hide to step into your future alive and unashamed; through Jesus Christ, the life of the world. Amen. [3]
or
God of all consolation, your Son comforted the grieving sisters, Martha and Mary, for your breath alone brings life to dry bones and weary souls. Pour out your Spirit upon us, so that we may face despair and death with the hope of the resurrection and faith in the One who called Lazarus forth from the grave. Amen.
or
Merciful God, you showed your glory to our fallen race by sending your Son to confound the powers of death. Call us forth from sin’s dark tomb. Break the bonds which hold us, that/so that we may believe and proclaim Christ, the cause of our freedom and the source of life, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, holy and mighty God for ever and ever. Amen. [4 alt.]
Prayer over the Gifts
Giver of life, your Son has destroyed the power of death for all those who believe in him. Accept all we offer you this day and strengthen us in faith and hope; through Jesus Christ, the Lord of the living. Amen. [1]
or
God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [3]
Preface
Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth, because you bid your faithful people to cleanse their hearts and to prepare with joy for the paschal feast; that reborn through the waters of baptism and renewed in the eucharistic mystery, we may be more fervent in prayer and more generous in the works of love. Therefore we raise our voices to you in praise to proclaim the glory of your name. [1]
or
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. You call your people to cleanse their hearts and prepare with joy for the paschal feast, that renewed in the gift of baptism, we may come to the fullness of your grace. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: [2]
Prayer after Communion
God of hope, in this eucharist we have tasted the promise of your heavenly banquet and the richness of eternal life. May we who bear witness to the death of your Son, also proclaim the glory of his resurrection, for he is Lord for ever and ever. Amen. [1]
or
Compassionate God, you have fed us with the bread of heaven. Sustain us in our Lenten pilgrimage; may our fasting be hunger for justice; our alms, a making of peace; and our prayer, the song of grateful hearts; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen. [3]
Prayer over the People
In place of a blessing or the Doxology (‘Glory to God whose . . . ‘), a Prayer over the People appropriate to the day may be used.
Look with compassion, O Lord, upon this your people; that, rightly observing this holy season, they may learn to know you more fully, and to serve you with a more perfect will; through Christ our Lord. Amen. [7]
Notes
[1] The Book of Alternative Services 1985
[2] Evangelical Lutheran Worship 2006
[2a] Evangelical Lutheran Worship: Leaders Desk Edition 2006
[3] Alternative Collects for Years A, B & C of the RCL and Seasonal Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion 2019
[4] Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language 1997
[5] Prayers for an Inclusive Church 2009
[6] Revised Common Lectionary Prayers 2002
[7] Book of Occasional Services 2018
N.B. Text in italics are possible alternatives suggested by the Ven. Richard Geoffrey Leggett, Ph.D.
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