Easter reflections

     Holy Week and Easter Sunday have come and gone, and I am drained.

     We had an incredible week of worship, with a Maundy Thursday service, Good Friday Tenebrae service, overnight prayer vigil (that started with a prayer service on Saturday night), and of course the full slate of Easter Sunday services (including the sunrise service).

     It is a lot, but as I reflect on it, it was worth it.

     The Tenebrae service is always powerful, as we move from light to darkness and leave the sanctuary singing the refrain, "Jesus, Remember Me, When you come into your Kingdom." The highlight for me this year, though, was the Saturday night prayer vigil.

     About 10 of us gathered in the narthex at 7:30 Saturday night and prayed for each person who had signed up for a 30-minute slot for our overnight prayer vigil. People who signed up could pray in their homes, and we had at least two people committed to pray during every shift.

     I took the 2:30-3 AM shift, and I'll be honest, I wasn't sure if I could get myself up. But sure enough, when the 2:28 alarm went off in my iPhone, I headed out to the living room, sat Indian-style, and the prayers just flowed (with intermittent nods of sleep). 

     I prayed for our worship services the following morning, and the hundreds of people who would come walking through our doors. I prayed for people in our church. I prayed for my family. And yes, I prayed for myself.

     It was by far the most powerful 30 minutes of the Lenten and Easter season.

     It was so quiet in the house. The world seemed to be asleep. Jesus was still "in the tomb."

     I claim no credit for waking up, or for the prayers that rolled off my tongue over the course of 30 minutes. It was a Spirit-thing, through-and-through. In fact, next year, I am going to be quicker about signing up so I can find a time slot that is more agreeable to my sleep schedule!

     But for this year, I rejoice at these 30 minutes spent in prayer in the dead of night. I attribute it to the prayers of the 10 folks (perhaps more) who "prayed for the pray-ers" on Saturday night.

     I hope the other 25 people who joined in vigil had a similar experience.

     It is now Monday morning. I am caught up on my sleep. Christ is risen. A new year begins.