For the uninitiated, Ascension Day falls on the Christian liturgical calendar one week before Pentecost Sunday, which itself falls 50 days after Easter. I'm late with this. Oh well...save it for next year!
A Prayer for Ascension Day
Risen Lord, now you arise for good, ascending to the Father in heaven,
Ascending to whence you came,
Not to leave us behind, but to send your Spirit,
To prepare a place for us as you promised,
And that you might be with us in every circumstance, every place, every time;
In every one of our failures,
In all our celebrations and victories;
In every one of our doubting moments and seasons of confusion,
In every hurting place, in every moment of woundedness and sorrow,
In every stressful occasion, in every dark night,
And in the brightest day, and every hopeful embrace.
You ascend in order to expand your presence,
Which we so take so often for granted, or forget, or ignore,
Or frankly disbelieve.
And when you left, your angels asked why we stand there,
Looking up, grieving again, lost in selfish thoughts,
Or wondering what it all means.
Ascended and Present One,
Help us not so much to stand around, looking up, wondering where to find you;
Help us step out of ourselves, knowing you are always with us, always there,
Always willing, always waiting, always loving.
Help us bear your love as we look around and step out in faith,
Empowered by your presence, comforted by your peace,
Emboldened by your courage, convicted by your truth,
Redeemed by your suffering,
Anointed by your Spirit,
And sent by your command.
No longer do we look up in wonder,
But we reach out in love and faith;
No longer do we grieve and hide,
But we press the truth and confront all evil;
No longer timid, we are blessed; no longer lost, we are found.
No longer afraid, Lord, we will seek who you seek, walk where you walked,
Love whom you loved, challenge those you challenged,
And always, everywhere, every time, giving you all praise and honor!
This is how we want to live, Risen Lord, Ascended Son.
So help us, so help us, and let us not cease to see, and understand!
Amen.
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