Prayer of Confession: Ascension

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by the suggested scripture texts for Ascension Day.  It was written by Rev. Malcolm Macdougall, and posted on the Starters for Sunday website.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Luke 24: 44-53, Acts 1: 9-11)

“You are witnesses of all these things….” Luke 24: 48

Too often, Lord God,

we are hesitant in our proclamation;

seeking safe and suitable opportunities to speak of our faith.

Too often, Lord God,

we are half-hearted in our service;

reluctant to stand out from the crowd or to attract criticism.

Too often, Lord God,

we live as if dependent wholly on our own resources;

relying on our perceived skills and modest insights.

Too often, Lord God,

we look to the clouds for our inspiration,

in the vain hope of finding you there.

Forgive the poverty of our efforts and the frailty of our faith

and open wide our hearts and minds to the immanent presence

of our Risen, Living and Ascended Lord Jesus Christ .

In his name we pray and say together:

“Our Father …”

~ written by Rev. Malcolm Macdougall, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Blessing: May God Bless Your Eyes

Here’s a blessing/benediction from Jan Richardson’s the painted prayerbook website.

Blessing

May God,
who comes to us
in the things of this world,
bless your eyes
and be in your seeing.

May Christ,
who looks upon you
with deepest love,
bless your eyes
and widen your gaze.

May the Spirit,
who perceives what is
and what may yet be,
bless your eyes
and sharpen your vision.

May the Sacred Three
bless your eyes
and cause you to see.

~ from In the Sanctuary of Women, copyright © Jan L. Richardson.  Posted on the painted prayerbook. http://paintedprayerbook.com/

Ascension: Prayer of Confession

Here’s a prayer of confession for Ascension from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.

The Call to Confession
While we claim to celebrate the ascension of our Lord,
the way we live proclaims our lack of faith
in his power to deal with the world.
Let us confess the incongruity between our faith and practice.
Let us pray:

Our Prayer of Confession
We come, O Lord, on this day of glory to confess our lack of trust.
While we sing of your lordship over all creation,
we have too often acted as though you are powerless
in the face of today's events.
Help us to live with confidence in your presence today
and in hope for life with you forever. Amen.

~ from It’s a Good Thing He Left: John 16, posted on the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship website. http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/it-s-a-good-thing-he-left-john-16

Ascension Day Call to Worship

Here’s a call to worship for Ascension Day or the Sunday following from Rev. Mindi’s Rev-o-lution blog.

Call to Worship for Ascension Day

(inspired by Acts 1:9-11)

A new day has begun.

Hope wins!

A fresh start is granted.

Faith wins!

Today you have the opportunity to do something new.

Hope wins!

Christ is entering your life in a new way.

Faith wins!

Come, let us worship God, who is inviting us into life in a new way, a way that transcends death, a way of hope and faith.

Love wins!

Let us worship Christ, who overcame death to give us new life!

~ written by Rev. Mindi and posted on Rev-o-lution. http://rev-o-lution.org/

Ascension Day Prayer

Here’s a thoughtful prayer inspired by the events of Acts 1:9-11, the ascension of Jesus Christ. It comes from the Weekly Worship page of the Christian Aid website.

Prayer for Ascension

(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

Opening Prayer for Ascension Day: Psalm 47

Here’s an opening prayer (with some call to worship elements) for Ascension Day. It was written by Joan Stott with inspiration from Psalm 47, and posted on The Timeless Psalms.

Ascension Day Opening Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 47)

Ascended God,

we praise you for the mighty power of your royal reign!
Glorious and Righteous King of all things:

we come today to worship you.

Ascending God,

we give thanks for your continuing reign of truth and love.
“Come, everyone! Clap your hands!

Shout to God with joyful praise...!”

LORD Most High God,

Creating King of all that was and is,

and all that will be:
we sing our praises

and offer our thankful prayers for all God’s gifts to us.
Awe-inspiring God,

the Alpha and the Omega,

we revere your Holy Name,
and yearn for the time

when God’s Kingdom of justice and peace is realized. Amen.

~ written by Joan Stott and posted on The Timeless Psalms. http://www.thetimelesspsalms.net/w_resources/ascensiondaya_2017.htm

Ascension: Prayer of Confession

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.

~ written by Rev. Mindi and posted on Rev-o-lution. http://rev-o-lution.org/

Ascension Reflection: Not Up There

Here’s a prayerful reflection on the ascension of Jesus by Steve Garnaas-Holmes. It was posted on Unfolding Light.

Ascension Reflection: Not Up There

He was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven,

suddenly two men in white robes stood by them.

They said, "People of Galilee,

why do you stand looking up toward heaven?”

~ Acts 1.9-11

Don't try to diagram the mystery.

The Body of Love,

in your hands but hard to put your finger on,

within, among and yet beyond,

is here and not here.

The One who Is With You is not present as you wish.

Sorrow and joy mingle perfectly.

Theories will not help you.

You can't look it up.

Look here: this, now.

In the bed you make,

the people you meet,

the rumpling within.

Even what has left you,

your empty arms,

is a place to look.

Jacob on his stone pillow knew:

this loss, this trouble, this gift

is the ladder to heaven.

Keep looking, but not up there.

~ written by Steve Garnaas-Holmes and posted on Unfolding Light. https://www.unfoldinglight.net/

Call to Worship for Ascension

Here’s a call to worship for Ascension Day (or Ascension Sunday). It comes from Rev. Mindi’s Rev-o-lution website.

Call to Worship: Ascension

(inspired by Acts 1:6-11)

Why are we looking up to heaven?
Christ has come;

Christ has risen;

Christ will come again.

Why are we looking ahead to the future?
The Holy Spirit is among us now.

In our baptism, we have already died and risen with Christ.

Why are we afraid of death and dying?
God’s love casts out our fear.

Why are we afraid to follow Jesus?
In Christ, we have the promise of new life now,

eternal life to come.
In Christ, we join our hearts to worship God,

who has prepared for us to enter the reign of God.

~ written by Rev. Mindi and posted on Rev-o-lution. http://rev-o-lution.org/

Post-Ascension Prayer

Here’s a post-Ascension prayer from Julie on RevGalBlogPals.

Post-Ascension Prayer

(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/

Pastoral Prayer for Ascension

Here’s a pastoral prayer for Ascension from Rev Bryce Calder on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.

Ascension Day Prayer

(inspired by the events in Acts 1:6-11)

Almighty God,

We come today reminded of your greatness and glory,

your sovereign power and eternal purpose

all expressed so wonderfully in Jesus Christ, our Lord:

Risen and Ascended.

 We thank you for the wonder of Ascension,

 that marvellous yet mysterious moment

 in the life of the Apostles

 which left them gazing heavenwards in confusion

 yet departing in joy.

 We thank you for the way that it brought the earthly ministry of Jesus

 to a fitting conclusion;

 signifying his oneness with you,

 and demonstrating your final seal of approval

 on all that he had done.

 We thank you that through his Ascension

 Jesus is now set free to be Lord of all:

 no longer bound to a particular place or time,

 but with us always - able to reach even to the ends of the earth.

 We thank you that through his departing

 Jesus prepared for his coming again:

 through his Spirit,

 his Church,

 and his coming again in glory.

Gracious God,

 Forgive us for so often failing

 to grasp the wonder of Ascension,

 for living each day as though it had never been.

 Forgive the smallness of our vision,

 the narrowness of our outlook,

 the weakness of our love,

 the nervousness of our witness,

 our repeated failure to recognize

 the fullness of your revelation in Christ.

 Give us a deeper sense of wonder,

 a stronger faith,

 and a greater understanding of all you have done.

Father God,

Like the Apostles,

 we too will never fully understand

 all Ascension means.

 We accept, but we do not fully understand.

 We believe, yet we have many questions.

 Help us, despite our uncertainty,

 to hold firm to the great truth

 that the wonder of Christ Jesus goes far beyond

 anything we can ever imagine,

 and in that faith may we live each day

 to his glory and honour: Amen.

~ written by Rev Bryce Calder, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday (now Weekly Worship) website.  http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/5981/starters_05_06_11.pdf

Pastoral Prayer for Ascension

Here’s a prayer of intercession/commitment for Ascension Day or Ascension Sunday.  It was written by rev karla and posted on RevGalBlogPals.

Prayer of Intercession on Ascension

(inspired by the events in Acts 1:6-11)

Holy One,

We gaze towards misty heavens

knowing you were just with us,

and now you are gone.

We watch the skies for just a glimpse of your dazzling grace,

and you send us angels,

to bring our hearts and minds and soul

back into our lives, our bodies, this very present moment,

where your presence is more difficult to see

in the midst of war, of random killing sprees,

still-missing Nigerian school girls,

bloody revolutions,

and random thoughtless cruelty.

Your angels come to us through the ordinary moments,

reminding us to pray in spite of and because of…

Your angels remind us that You indeed will empower us

to be your light and life and hope in this world,

to the ends of the earth,

wherever courage and grace is needed.

We are your people, God,

and as much as we love sky-gazing,

we know that you call us to give witness

in the middle of terror, anxiety, illness, death, and apathy.

Help us to listen deeply, see far and wide,

and live faithfully.

In Christ we pray,

Amen

~ written by rev karla, and posted on RevGalBlogPals.  http://revgalblogpals.org/

Opening Prayer for Ascension

Here’s a prayer of praise and adoration for Ascension Day or Ascension Sunday.  It was written by Hughes Oliphant Old, and posted in "Leading in Prayer: A Workbook for Ministers."

Opening Prayer for Ascension

(inspired by Acts 1:6-11, Hebrews 4:14-16)

Father, O God most high,
who dwells in the highest of heavens,
we praise you.

Father, O Lord most exalted,
beyond our thoughts and imaginations,
we praise you.

We celebrate the victory of your Son,
who has overcome death
and saved us from the power of sin.
We rejoice in his exaltation!

Our great high priest
has gone before,
has entered into the Holy of Holies,
and has opened up a way for us to follow.
In his name, we too would enter into your eternal presence,
for he is our priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek.
To him be all praise,
together with you, O Father,
and the Holy Spirit,
one Lord, the same in every age.
Amen and Amen.

~ written by Hughes Oliphant Old, in Leading in Prayer: A Workbook for Ministers. © 1995, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.)  Available on Amazon. 

Benediction: Living Witness

Here’s a closing commission and benediction from Rev Gord’s Worship Offerings blog.

Commission and Benediction

As people of faith we have gathered for worship.

As people of faith we now return to the world.

Go out to share the story of faith,

the story of life, with the world around you.

We share the faith in word and in deed,

in speech and in action.

As you go out to give a living witness,

as you go out to testify to God's love active in the world,

go knowing that God goes with you,

sharing the laughter and the hope, the fears and the tears.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

~ posted by Rev Gord on his blog, Worship Offerings. http://worshipofferings.blogspot.ca/

Ascension Day Litany: Because Jesus Ascended

Here’s a thoughtful litany on the significance of Ascension Day (May 29) from Christine Sine’s Godspace website.

Litany for Ascension Day

Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God,

a new world has broken into ours—

a world in which justice does come for the poor,

freedom comes for the prisoners,

and healing for the sick.

Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God,

a new community has been formed—

a community that loves and cares for all members,

a family that welcomes all who are abandoned and rejected,

a place where all find a place of belonging.

Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God,

a new creation has begun— 

all that was distorted is being restored,

all that is corrupted is being renewed,

all that was broken is being made whole.

Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God,

God’s new world has begun. 

~ written by Christine Sine, and posted on Godspace. http://godspace-msa.com/2014/05/13/ascension-day-what-is-it-all-about/ 

For other Ascension Day resources on that website, visit http://godspace-msa.com/2014/05/13/resources-for-ascension-day-2014/ 

Prayer: Our Great High Priest

Here is a prayer inspired by verses from Hebrews 4 and 5.  It was written by Hughes Oliphant Old and published in Leading in Prayer: A Workbook for Ministers (see link below).

Prayer

(inspired by Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 5:7-10)

Father, O God most high,
who dwells in the highest of heavens,
we praise you.

Father, O Lord most exalted,
beyond our thoughts and imaginations,
we praise you.

We celebrate the victory of your Son,
who has overcome death
and saved us from the power of sin.
We rejoice in his exaltation!

Our great high priest
has gone before,
has entered into the Holy of Holies,
and has opened up a way for us to follow.
In his name, we too would enter into your eternal presence,
for he is our priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek.
To him be all praise,
together with you, O Father,
and the Holy Spirit,
one Lord, the same in every age.
Amen and Amen.

~ Hughes Oliphant Old, Leading in Prayer: A Workbook for Ministers http://www.amazon.com/Leading-Prayer-A-Workbook-Ministers/dp/0802808212.

Ascension Day Prayer

Here is a pastoral prayer for Ascension Day by Rev. Bryce Calder. It was posted on the Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.

Prayer

(inspired by the events in Acts 1:6-11)

Almighty God,

We come today reminded of your greatness and glory,

your sovereign power and eternal purpose

all expressed so wonderfully in Jesus Christ, our Lord,

Risen and Ascended.

We thank you for the wonder of Ascension,

that marvelous yet mysterious moment

in the life of the Apostles

which left them gazing heavenwards in confusion

yet departing in joy.

We thank you for the way that it brought the earthly ministry of Jesus

to a fitting conclusion;

signifying his oneness with you,

and demonstrating your final seal of approval

on all that he had done.

We thank you that through his Ascension

Jesus is now set free to be Lord of all:

no longer bound to a particular place or time,

but with us always—able to reach even to the ends of the earth.

We thank you that through his departing

Jesus prepared for his coming again:

through his Spirit,

his Church,

and his coming again in glory.

Gracious God,

Forgive us for so often failing

to grasp the wonder of Ascension,

for living each day as though it had never been.

Forgive the smallness of our vision,

the narrowness of our outlook,

the weakness of our love,

the nervousness of our witness,

our repeated failure to recognize

the fullness of your revelation in Christ.

Give us a deeper sense of wonder,

a stronger faith,

and a greater understanding of all you have done.

Father God,

Like the Apostles,

we too will never fully understand all Ascension means.

We accept, but we do not fully understand.

We believe, yet we have many questions.

Help us, despite our uncertainty, to hold firm to the great truth

that the wonder of Christ Jesus

goes far beyond anything we can ever imagine,

and in that faith may we live each day

to his glory and honour. Amen.

~ written by Rev Bryce Calder, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.  http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/5981/starters_05_06_11.pdf

Prayer of Confession: Luke 24

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by Luke 24: 44-53.  It comes from the Ministry Matters website.

Confession

(inspired by Luke 24)

“And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised;

so stay here in the city until you have been clothed

with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

O Lord,
we have not lived our lives
as kingdom people.
We place our crowns
on hopelessness, fear,
and selfishness.
We are ruled by our schedules
and our need for control.
We make kings of the things we acquire
and queens of our immediate desires.
We forget that your kingdom
draws near to us on earth,
as it is in heaven.

Forgive us, we pray.

Come, Lord,
and open in us
the gates of your kingdom. Amen.

Words of Assurance

The God of our Lord Jesus Christ
blesses us and calls us “kingdom people.”
In the name of the reigning Christ,
we are forgiven.
In the name of the reigning Christ,
we are forgiven. Glory to God! Amen.

~ from the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/  

Benediction: Hebrews 12

Here are some parting words from Hebrews 12: 1-2.

Parting Words

(Hebrews 12: 1-2)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us also lay aside every weight

and the sin that clings so closely,

and let us run with perseverance

the race that is set before us,

looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith,

who for the sake of the joy that was set before

him endured the cross,

disregarding its shame,

and has taken his seat

at the right hand of the throne of God.

~ from Jesus Enthroned on High, posted on the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship website. http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/jesus-enthroned-on-high-weekday-worship/

Prayer: Building the Kingdom

Here’s a prayer of petition inspired by the ascension of Jesus Christ in Acts 1: 9-11.  It comes from the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website.

Prayer of Petition

(inspired by Acts 1: 9-11)

Risen and ascended Lord Jesus,
When we are numbed by the suffering of the world,
Take us back to the deep truth
Of your power and glory,
Of your invincible Kingdom,
Of your promise of reconciliation.
In the knowledge of this truth,
Help us to bring our gaze to earth
And find the strength to go into the world,
to do your will on earth as in heaven.
To build the kingdom of God
On earth as it is in heaven. 

~ from the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/