Here’s a beautiful opening prayer for the first Sunday after Easter, celebrated by some as Laughter Sunday (aka Holy Humor Sunday, Bright Sunday). The prayer was written by Thom M. Shuman, a pastor and poet from
Image: Holy Spirit Dance, watercolor by Gwen Meharg.
Opening Prayer for Holy Humour Sunday
(first Sunday after Easter)
You smiled and the sun burst
through the shadows of chaos;
you chuckled,
and the platypus splashed
in creation's fountain;
you laughed,
and all that is good and beautiful
was given shape by you,
Imaginative God.
Snickering at the feeble attempts
of the evil one,
you showed us
how to resist temptation;
giggling at sin's desperate desire
to hold on to us,
you released us by your love;
howling with laughter
at death's foolish belief
that the tomb could hold you,
you burst forth into the kingdom
as the stars pealed with joy,
Laughing Jesus.
As you fill us with new life,
may we delight in sharing it with others;
as you tell us the good news
which can never be taken from us,
may we rejoice in offering it
to the broken, the sad, the lonely;
as you tickle us with grace,
may we give it away with laughter on our lips
and joy in our hearts,
Spirit of Easter.
God in Community, Holy in One,
our hearts overflow with wonder
as we lift the prayer Jesus has taught us,
Our Father . . .
through the shadows of chaos;
you chuckled,
and the platypus splashed
in creation's fountain;
you laughed,
and all that is good and beautiful
was given shape by you,
Imaginative God.
Snickering at the feeble attempts
of the evil one,
you showed us
how to resist temptation;
giggling at sin's desperate desire
to hold on to us,
you released us by your love;
howling with laughter
at death's foolish belief
that the tomb could hold you,
you burst forth into the kingdom
as the stars pealed with joy,
Laughing Jesus.
As you fill us with new life,
may we delight in sharing it with others;
as you tell us the good news
which can never be taken from us,
may we rejoice in offering it
to the broken, the sad, the lonely;
as you tickle us with grace,
may we give it away with laughter on our lips
and joy in our hearts,
Spirit of Easter.
God in Community, Holy in One,
our hearts overflow with wonder
as we lift the prayer Jesus has taught us,
Our Father . . .
— Thom M. Shuman, on his blog, Lectionary Liturgies.
For more Holy Humor / Laughter Sunday worship resources,
click on “Laughter/Holy Humor” under the list of “Labels”
on the right side of the page.
