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Ascension Day Prayers

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/ 

 

Categories: Ascension Day , Devotions , Prayers