Thursday 13 May 2021

Prayers of Intercession - Ascension Day

Bagong Kussudiardja (Indonesian, 1928–2004), Ascension, 1983

Prayers written for Ascension Day based on text from
Luke 24.44-end  references from the hymn ‘Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise’ by Charles Wesley  and ‘O clap your hands’ a musical setting of Psalm 47 by Orlando Gibbons.


Let us lift up our prayers to the Ascended Lord, who ever intercedes for us. 

Risen Lord, 
Send down your blessing on your church; your broken body on earth. 
Lift up our heads towards the guiding light of your power and glory; 
open the gates of our minds, by your grace, that we might understand the scriptures;
may all who hear them become living witnesses to your Word. 
We lift up in prayer all bishops, priests and deacons; all who proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins to the nations; all who take great risks when they worship and praise your name. 

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer 

Risen Lord,
Send down your spirit over the world you love and upon its people you have saved;
Lift up our heads so that we might rise above our selfish concerns and love our neighbour as you have loved us.
We pray for peace throughout the world, especially in the Middle East and between the people of the Holy Land; for Nadia and all who work there. 
In this Christian Aid week we ask for forgiveness for our abuse of your creation and pray for those most affected by the climate crisis.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer 

Risen Lord,
Send down your eternal wisdom to the people of this parish community and this City.
Lift up our heads to find surprise in familiar scenes; rediscovering the joy of your presence in the “new normal”.
We pray for the work of the Lord Mayor, the Corporation of London, all businesses and charities here.
May the streets of this City once again ring out with the merry noise of life lived joyfully in all its fullness. 

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer 

Risen Lord,
Send down your healing power on all those in need.
Lift up our heads to be present amongst the sick and suffering in our midst.
In this Mental Health Awareness Week we pray for all those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts
We ask for your blessing on all health professionals and especially for the work of the Samaritans. 
We hold up all who have asked for our prayers, including Caroline and Manuelle, John, Vanessa, Peter, Jennifer, Adrian and family, Melvyn, Ian, John, Kim, Nick, Martin & Sam.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer 

Risen Lord,
Send down upon all who mourn the assurance of your promise of eternal life;
Lift up our heads to your eternal gates as we pray for all the faithful who have recently entered there;
and look for the day when we may join them, and you, in our Father’s house.
 

Merciful Father
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son
our Saviour, Jesus Christ
Amen 

Links 

Art & Theology – Reflection for Ascension 1
Art & Theology – Reflection for Ascension 2


No comments:

Post a Comment

Sermon - Sing that Bittersweet Symphony

Marian Anderson by William H. Johnston, 1945 (Smithsonian Museum) A sermon given during Holy Communion (BCP) at St Giles-in-the-Fields on Su...