God of love and mercy, we are living under the cross of your Son in an unexpected and unwelcome way. We feel the gripping power of fear, anxiety, powerlessness and dread. We face the cross with a fearful heart. Send your Spirit down upon us to give us wisdom and courage, to console us and give us peace. One with you and your Son, the Spirit is the giver of life who can guide us through the storms and comfort us in our pain and discouragement. Through your Spirit, transform our weakness into strength and breathe confidence into us, so that our stewardship of the Gospel will give us a new boldness to proclaim the hope of your cross and the joy of Easter morning. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.