Prayer for Palm Sunday – Luke 19: 28 -40
Luke 19:28-40
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
28 After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” 32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord needs it.” 35 Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37 Now as he was approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying,
“Blessed is the king
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,
and glory in the highest heaven!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
We praise you, O God,
For your saving of the world through Jesus Christ,
who entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph
and was proclaimed Messiah and king
by those who spread garments and branches along his way.
Many were filled with hope that finally the oppressors would be overthrown
and shalom and peace would come to their lives.
Your presence and actions in our lives often go unnoticed in the moment.
It is only through reflection and discernment that we awaken to them.
Like many, we are searching for hope—
hope that embodies Shalom,
hope that brings peace to our world,
to our communities, our families,
and to our own lives.
Let the branches of triumphal entry into Jerusalem
be a sign of Christ’s victory,
and grant that we who carry them
may follow him in the way of the cross,
that, dying and rising with him,
we may enter into your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
Now and Forever. Amen.
