Ascension Day, the 40th day after Easter, marks the day on which Jesus went to the Mount of olives with his disciples and ascended to heaven before their eyes. Christ’s ascension means that in heaven there is one who, knowing first-hand the experience of suffering and temptation, prays for us and perfects our prayers. The ascension is a witness and guarantee of our own bodily resurrection, as well as an invitation for us to set our hearts and minds “on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Col.3:1-2) to rule over all things in heaven and throughout the universe. The ascension of Jesus serves as the prelude to Pentecost, when the power of the risen Christ came upon all believers through the Holy Spirit.
Opening Prayer for Ascension Day (inspired by Acts 1:9-11)
Lord of life,
We do not know the face of the future,
any more than your disciples did.
Like them, we have many questions:
how to live
how to bear witness.
Like them, we thirst for the spring waters of the Spirit
to inspire us in our living
to give us a heart language in our testimony.
You have been raised in glory
that we might rise with dignity
You live in power that we might live in peace
You are present everywhere
that we might be fully present in our own lives
This we believe
This we step out on.
~ originally posted on the Monthly Prayers page (now Weekly Worship) of the Christian Aid website. https://www.christianaid.org.uk/churches/weekly-worship
Mid-Day Prayer for Ascension Day (inspired by Acts 1:9-11)
Almighty God, we confess that we have our eyes set in the clouds
instead of on the earth You have given us.
We desire heavenly treasure
but we keep believing that worldly means will help us attain it.
Forgive us for our short sightedness.
Draw us away from the temptations
to seek worldly power and measures of success,
and call us to the down-to-earth message of Your love,
to care for the needs of those around us,
especially the oppressed and marginalized.
You have called us through scripture to care for the widows and orphans among us;
help us to see all those who are left out by society and are in need.
Help us to break down the dividing walls that we have placed,
so that we may truly be one,
as You and Christ are one.
For it is in Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Evening Prayer for Ascension Day (inspired by the events in Acts 1:6-11)
Where did you go Jesus?
Where did you go?
We stand, necks craning back, looking heavenwards
But we cannot see you
Where did you go?
Did you leave us?
Hush my child,
Listen, listen,
Listen for the breeze
Listen for the breath
Listen for the Holy Wind's whispered promise
You are not alone
You are not alone
You are never alone
My love is yours
My strength is yours
My wisdom... all yours for the taking
Listen, listen, listen....
It comes, a gentle breeze, caressing your spirit
It comes, building, energising, filling the spaces
Until you are full
O Holy Spirit!
Come!
Breath of God
Spirit of God
Our wise counsellor
Our constant companion
Helps us to remember that you are always with us
In persecutions, and turmoil, and dread
In excitements, and joy and love
In the mundane and everyday
You are. Here.
O God
Our God
We praise you
We call on you
We rely on you
As we stand and stare
As we wait again,
for the reminder that Pentecost only needed to happen once
as you promised,
for now the Spirit is always with us
Creator, Brother, Breath
Amen and amen
~ written by Julie, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. http://revgalblogpals.org/