What is Easter For?

Margaret Feinberg wrote, "Prayer may not change things, but it will change my perspective of things. Prayer might not change the past, but inevitably, it changes the present."

Personally, my daily prayers change. Today's prayers will likely be different from tomorrow's. Approaching God, and welcoming God's approach, I pray for...

• Jami and Nick as they become husband and wife tomorrow;
• Tony's family as they seek understanding, comfort, and hope in the face of death;
• Rescue workers and cleanup crews in Japan;
• Oliver, Samuel, and Ruth; and
  
• The "least of these" who are vulnerable to budget choices.

My prayers seem in constant conversation this week with the question, "What is Easter for? Certainly it is life unequaled by death, hope unequaled by despair, presence unequaled by absence. I wonder what this means in my life and in the lives of those for whom I pray today. And just as certainly it is a question that invites us to "come and see."

Many awakened this morning to news of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that swept across Japan. The ever widening waves touched many other nations including Hawaii and the west coast of our own nation. The rush of tidal waters scattered cars, trucks, boats, homes and other buildings. A nuclear reactor's cooling safeguards have failed and the plant warms dangerously. The death toll rises as does the number of those missing.

In your Lenten prayers, remember those in Japan and neighboring nations. In your response, consider a special gift to Week of Compassion designated for Japan. Of designated gifts 100% will go to relief and development as needed. In your worship, thank God for a love that stretches across seas, and embraces those who grieve loss today.