Easter 18

Lord and God,

Have mercy, Lord, and take away the contempt of the proud. When your anointed rules justly over us, he is as a rising sun. When you put down the many enemies of David, it must have been as a new dawn in Israel. And fleeing the contempt of the proud; you added day by day to your church in the time of the apostles. You worked valiance and might in the time of battle, and steadfast boldness in the time of persecution.

You have given us your very presence to abide, your breath to carry your word to us in this new era. Speak, we pray, by your mercy. Let your just rule come to us, and let us no more be subject to the pride of men. Even sweet David provoked your wrath, and his rule ended. But the Christ is Jesus, and the sun will never set on his reign. To him we lift our eyes. Let him enthroned in heaven be enthroned in our hearts today.