Prayers of the People for The Ascension
These Prayers of the People were first used on the Sunday after
Ascension Day, May 20,
2007, at St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Port Townsend,
Washington.
More about
responsive prayer
With open hearts, let us offer up
(Leader's
words in plain text.)
our prayers together, saying,
Arise, O God,
Hear our prayer.
(People's responses in bold italic.)
For the clouds that rise over the mountain, for the mists that
rise over the field, for the eagle on the wing, for the wild
rhododendron and the cultivated corn, for the salmon in the
waters, for the people on the land, for the health of the earth
and all who live on it,
Arise, O God,
Hear our prayer.
For all faithful people, that we may be your witnesses at home
and wherever we go, to the ends of the earth.
Arise, O God,
Hear our prayer.
For all those in authority in this and every land, and for all
who work to create a more just society, that the eyes of their
hearts may be enlightened, and that they hear your call to hope.
Arise, O God,
Hear our prayer.
For those in need and those with plenty, that we all may be
generous in spirit and in action.
Arise, O God,
Hear our prayer.
For those who are sick, alone, imprisoned, or in any kind of
trouble, that their hearts may be raised to your heart, and that
they find rest and strength in your love.
Arise, O God,
Hear our prayer.
For all the departed, and for all whose spirits soar free.
Arise, O God,
Hear our prayer.
We pray in confidence to the One who is the Alpha and the Omega,
the first and the last, the beginning and the end, and the
bright morning star, assured with Christ our Savior that you
have loved us before the foundation of the world.
Amen
Scriptural
references
In
writing these prayers, I used language from scripture readings
for Ascension Day and for the Sunday After Ascension Day:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon
you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8
so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may
know what is the hope to which he has called you
.
Ephesians 1:18a
Let God arise
Psalm 68
:I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the
beginning and the end
I am the root and the descendant of
David, the bright morning star.
Revelation 22: 13, 16b
to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me
before the foundation of the world.
I made your name known to
them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you
have loved me may be in them, and I in them. John 17:24b,
26.
Photo by Ken Sturm, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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