Here’s
a prayer of confession and words of assurance for Ascension Day or the Sunday
following. They were written by Rev. Mindi and posted on the Rev-o-lution blog.
Prayer of Confession for Ascension
(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.
Words of Blessing/Assurance
We were made by God, brought forth from the earth,
the
earth that was called good when God created it.
Your
very being is good.
You
are blessed, earth-born,
and
called forth to care for the earth and all who dwell in it.
Go,
know that you are forgiven and loved
by
the God who made the earth, and made you,
and
share the Good News. Amen.
