In the evening when the disciples meet
Frightened behind locked doors
You come to them with words of peace.
For wicked plots have failed,
And the cruelty of the world has come to nothing,
And the betrayal and the denial of friends have not prevailed.

Life-giving God,
We give you thanks
For Jesus has risen.
He comes to us with words of peace.

Come to us today.
In government rooms where politicians meet
In city board rooms where executives plan,
In court rooms where lawyers debate,
Come with words of peace.

In hospital rooms where people are waiting,
In prison cells where people are afraid
In homes where people struggle to make ends meet,
Come with words of peace.

Come to us whenever we are afraid
Whenever we are grieving
Come to us now we pray in silence
For those we care for and are worried about…
Despite the strong and solid doors we lock
To protect ourselves
To shut out the world
Come to us with words of peace.

This Easter breathe on us again
With your Spirit
For you have overcome evil
And wicked plots fail
And the cruelty of the world comes to nothing
And the betrayal and denial of friends do not prevail.

Renew us in the power of your Spirit
That we may open the doors
And go out into the world
To bring words of peace to the people we meet.

Renew us in the power of your Spirit
That we may have life in your name
And go wherever you send us
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Susan Miller, Minister in the Church of Scotland

The Church of Scotland Resourcing Mission, source

__________________________

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.