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  "description": "A Prayer for the Week and Resources for Sunday, April 26, 2026",
  "path": "/for-gift-of-expansive-joy-letuspray/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-23T18:54:15.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.reyes-chow.com",
  "tags": [
    "LetUsPray",
    "The Revised Common Lectionary",
    "The Narrative Lectionary",
    "First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame",
    "RCL Year A Readings (NRSV)",
    "Acts 2:42-47",
    "Psalm 23",
    "1 Peter 2:19-25",
    "John 10:1-10",
    "NL442 Readings (CEB)",
    "Acts 16:16-34",
    "Luke 6:18-19, 22-23",
    "Vanderbilt Revised Common Lectionary",
    "The Narrative Lectionary from The Working Preacher",
    "Purchase How Long, Oh Lord",
    "Gift Subscription",
    "Group Subscription",
    "Subscribe now"
  ],
  "textContent": "****Weekly #LetUsPray****\n\nI offer this weekly #LetUsPray as a way to stay anchored amidst the turmoil of the day. Paid subscribers have access to liturgical resources and sermon prompts based on the week's readings from The Revised Common Lectionary and/or The Narrative Lectionary.\n\nApologies for skipping a week, but these past few weeks have been more packed than usual. Last week our Eldest child got married (shameless photos in paid section). It was a lovely day. We had very little to do with it other than raising one beautiful human. I also began a two-month Bridge Pastor term at First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame. I dip back into congregational life a few times a year and it is always quite the ride getting back up to speed on staffing, pastoral care, and preaching.\n\nAs I reflect on these two developments in my life, I am reminded how lovely the world can be. This wedding introduced us to a new part of our family, we were given the gift of meeting our kids' extended community, and we could take a step back and be proud of this human and our child. Being back at a church, I'm reminded of the privilege it is to be someone's pastor; to hear their most tender hopes, to be present in the face of their struggles, and to gather with the people of God and strive to be the church in today's world.\n\nI admit it: in the face of so much ugliness before us 24/7, there are times when I lose sight of the possibilities God may be revealing and allow myself to get weighed down by the suffering and struggles of the world. While I do not advocate that people ignore the ongoing groans of the world, I think it is vital that we notice the joys around us and remember that love and joy will have the last word.\n\nIt is through this unapologetically joy-colored lens of God in the world that I offer this prayer.\n\n* * *\n\n### For the Gift of Expansive Joy #LetUsPray\n\n _let us pray —_\n\n _holy one, through the smoke and haze of global turmoil\nseeing, believing, and embracing joy is often difficult\nthe weight of suffering around us is overwhelming\nand constricts our ability to believe in another way_\n\n _we feel shame, remorse, and heartache\nwhen we see abundance all around us\nfor laughter, while others weep\nfor plenty, while others scrape by\nfor safety, while others run for cover\nfor life, while others face death\nand for hope, while others despair_\n\n _yet, you remind us over and over again\nto rejoice in each day that you have made\nto see joy in hope and patience\nand that joy comes in the morning_\n\n _let us not hide and hoard the joys of life\nlet our view of you not be narrowed by our despair\nand let us not turn inward while others reach out_\n\n _under the brilliance and beauty of your joy,\ngive us the wisdom to navigate the complexities of life\ngive us the courage to explore the expanses of creation\ngive us the humility to move closer to you\nand let our lives be lived in response to your joy\nso others may do the same._\n\n_for these things we pray — amen._\n\n* * *\n\nMay the rest of your week be filled with more than a few many moments of joy.\n\nPeace,\n\n* * *\n\n## LITURGY AND PREACHING PROMPTS\n\n#### Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 26, 2026\n\nRCL Year A Readings (NRSV)**:** | Acts 2:42-47 | Psalm 23 | 1 Peter 2:19-25 | John 10:1-10\nNL442 Readings (CEB)**:** Acts 16:16-34 | Luke 6:18-19, 22-23\n\nIn writing liturgy, I attempt to be economical with words while addressing the events of the day in ways that help people find grounding in their faith. For readings, I refer to the Vanderbilt Revised Common Lectionary **(RCL)** and The Narrative Lectionary from The Working Preacher **(NL)**. Paid Subscribers should please feel free to use any of the liturgical resources with or without attribution.\n\nHow Long, Oh Lord?: A Prayerbook Concerning Gun Violence\n\nFor prayers that address the epidemic of gun violence in the United States, purchase a copy of __How Long, Oh Lord?: A Prayerbook Concerning Gun Violence__ and use promo code “BRC” for 20% off.\n\n\n                            Purchase How Long, Oh Lord\n                        \n\nIf you find this weekly prayer and liturgy offering or any other aspects of The Amalgamation meaningful, I would not hate it if you shared the joy with others through giving Gift Subscription or purchasing a Group Subscription.\n\n* * *\n\n### This post is for subscribers only\n\nBecome a member to get access to all content\n\nSubscribe now",
  "title": "For the Gift of Expansive Joy #LetUsPray",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-23T19:02:38.926Z"
}