Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Liturgical prayers for Ascension Day, Thursday 29 May 2014.

Call to worship:
From Psalm 2
Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”
The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.  He rebukes them in his anger.
I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.
Ask me! says the Lord, and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.

Blessed is everyone who takes refuge in Christ, enthroned in heaven.
All hail, ascended King!!


Prayer of adoration and forgiveness of sins.
Merciful God, who in your mighty power raised Jesus form the dead and raised him into heaven, we come into your presence in the name of our Lord Jesus, the ascended Christ and our King who is enthroned in heaven.   
And now we give you thanks, o God, because in his risen body Christ appeared to his disciples, and in their sight was taken into heaven, to reign with you in glory.

We bring honour to you, our Saviour, whom we call Christ, our Lord, who victoriously reigns now, and reigns forever at the Father’s right hand. 
You, our Lord, dealt with our every need, delivered us from every enemy, healed us from all sin, harm and injury and you are worshipped when heaven and earth bow down before you as Lord of all.
One day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that you, Lord Jesus, are the Lord of all and the King of kings.

Through the gift of your Holy Spirit, equip us to first of all seek your Kingdom that we may understand your love, and humbly turn to you in faith as we beg your forgiveness for our sins and your deliverance from our disobedience.
As we silently confess our transgressions, forgive, heal, purity and sanctify us today.
(a few moments of quiet prayer)
By the cross of Jesus, teach us how to love - and by the resurrection and exaltation of Christ – teach us how to live.
Lord, in your mercy, listen to our prayer!
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Hymns and songs of praise and worship!

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Our Father in heaven, we give thanks and praise,
because the Lord Jesus, the King of glory,
triumphant over sin and death,
has ascended to the highest heaven
as the angels and all your children looked on in wonder.
Christ, the Mediator between God and humankind,
Judge of the world and Lord of the heavenly powers,
has not forsaken our human lowliness when he ascended to heaven,
but has given us the hope that we, his members, might follow him to heaven,
where he, our Head and our beginning, has gone before us.

Father we give thanks.
Lord, we give thanks!
Jesus we give thanks!

Majestic Lord Jesus Christ, everything promised about your glorious, heavenly reign has not happened on our earth yet! You are the King, and yet, your dominion is in many ways not visible and is now coming to us and to our world, even as we pray. 
We live in hope, and in faith, that we truly heard the Word of God, that testifies that you will return in glory in the same way you ascended to heaven, to effect your glorious reign in the smallest detail of everything on earth, as it is in heaven.  

Exalted, enthroned King Jesus, thank you that you not only bring salvation to us, but through your work done through the ministry of your Church, you bring redemption and salvation to the world, yes, to the ends of the earth. 
Your people accept the grace that you bring, and commit their lives to the power of the Holy Spirit who empowers your children and your Church to fulfil your commission to preach the gospel to everyone.
Now bring justice wherever we serve you and bring hope and light where darkness still hides your glorious reign and salvation.

Dear Lord of every aspect and facet of our lives, help us to live only for your honour and glory. Help us to be obedient, by the power of your resurrection and of your Spirit.

We pray for all your servants, majestic Lord! For those who preach your Word and for those who listen.
Protect and guide all missionaries sent to the ends of the earth to proclaim salvation in you. Guide and keep them and bless their work for you. 
Call many more servants to do your work and make us obedient to your call.

In your power and mercy, heal the sick and comfort those who are weeping. Set the captives free and grant relief to the poor. 
Sanctify those who are powerful and influential and remained humble and bring to fall those who are proud, selfish and corrupt. 

Bring to an end the kingdom of darkness and let your majesty shine as the light of the world.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us your peace.

And now, great King of kings and Lord of lords –
have mercy on us, and on all your people.

In your all powerful Name, Lord Jesus Christ, and by your grace, we pray through the true faith that in you we are more than conquerors. 
Amen.

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