TRIUMPHANT SAVIOR,
Today your victory march begins. Loneliness, betrayal, death, and the tomb are all behind you. Nothing can stop you now. You are the exalted Ruler of the new creation. You have "utterly wiped out the damning evidence of broken laws and commandments which always hang over our heads. You have completely annulled it by nailing it over your own head on the cross. And then, having drawn the sting of all the powers ranged against us, you exposed them: shattered empty, and defeated, in your final glorious triumphant procession" (Col. 2:14-15).
Praise be to you, O God, "for in your great mercy you gave us a new birth into a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We can now hope for a perfect inheritance beyond the reach of change and decay, 'reserved' in heaven for us. And in the meantime we are guarded by your spirit, O God, operating through the faith bestowed on us, until we can enter fully into the consummation of all things" (1 Pet. 1:3-5).
"Worthy is the lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength, and honor and glory and blessing. Let everything that has ever been, now is, or shall be, cry out: 'Blessing and honor and glory and power be to you, O God, and to the Lamb forever and ever" (Rev. 5:12-13).
Yet even as we acclaim you the transcendent Ruler of this and every age, we gratefully acknowledge that you are with us still. You walk with us as you walked with those two who journeyed to Emmaus. You enlighten our minds. You fill our hearts with joy. You instill in our wills a more steadfast commitment to obedience. You provide a meal for us of bread and wine, a glimpse of the messianic banquet that awaits us in glory. Make us aware—open our eyes that we may see, and seeing, believe.
"Therefore, since you have been delivered to us as Christ and Lord, may we live our lives in union with you. May we be rooted in you, built up in you, consolidated in our faith, with our hearts overflowing with thanksgiving" (Col 2:6-7). Since we have shared in your resurrection, help us to reach out for the highest gifts of heaven, where you now reign in power…for our true life is a hidden one in God, through Christ. "And one day, O risen Savior, you who are the secret center of our lives, you will show yourself openly, and we all will share in that glory" (Col 3:4). Maranatha! Even so; come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly! Amen.
Robert Westveer, the author of this prayer, is a worship leader at the Ann Arbor Campus Chapel. This prayer is one of a collection of prayers he wrote for the entire church year.