A Prayer for Ascension Thursday

Ascension by Salvador Dali

 

Today's Ascension Thursday 
when we remember Jesus ascending into heaven.
The Dali above images what Jesus' friends saw as he was lifted up: 
the soles of his feet!

Just 40 days after Easter, Lord,
you brought your friends together, one last time,
to say goodbye, to bid them farewell...

Parting's such sweet sorrow, Lord...

Taking leave's 

   the sad part 

and the sweetness  

   the memory of all that was, 

   the promise of all that's yet to be, 

   the pledge that on a day to come 

      we'll all be together again...

Coming and going, 
meeting and knowing,
saying goodbye,
sadness and sorrow,
hope for tomorrow...

You left your friends, Lord, but not alone:
you promised your Spirit, the Spirit of truth 
to lead and guide, to comfort and console,
to show us the path we're called to follow,
the way that leads us home to you
and to that day, still yet to come,
when we'll all be together again...

Amen.

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Pause for Prayer: THURSDAY 5/13

 

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NIGHT PRAYER: Wednesday 5/12

Had a great conversation with an old friend today, Lord, 

and while speaking of prayer, 

he mentioned he sometimes tells you,

    "Any hints would be readily accepted!"

I love that line, Lord!

    Any hints would be readily accepted!

I can imagine so many applications of this prayer!

 

    Lord, I'm really confused

    and feeling unsure about so many things:

        Any hints would be readily accepted!

 

    So much suffering in the world and right around me,

    and I just don't understand why, Lord:

         Any hints would be joyfully accepted!

 

    Beats me, Lord, 

    but I'm really not always sure of where I'm going:

        Any hints would be gratefully accepted!

 

    And what can I do to break the vicious circle

    of prejudice, hatred and mistrust?

        Any hints would be heartily accepted!

 

    Got some friends I'd love to help

    but I don't know what to say or do, Lord:

       Any hints would be enthusiastically accepted!

    Would love to grow closer to you, Lord

    and know the easiest best ways to do that:

        Any hints would be contentedly accepted!

 

    I want to know your mind and plan for me

    but my own thoughts cloud my vision:

        Any hints would be willingly accepted!

 

    In fact, Lord, at any time of any night or day,

    on any day, of any week, in any month, in any year:

        Any hints, clues, leads, signs or tip-offs

            would be delightedly, cheerfully, graciously,     

                warmly and readily accepted!

 

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

and asleep, rest in your peace...   

 

Amen.

 

Speak to Me by Tommy Walker  

 

     

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Sunday's questions still on your mind, in your heart?

 

 

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Pause for Prayer: WEDNESDAY 5/12

We spend a good deal of our time waiting, hoping and praying.

We wait for news and pray it will be good. 

We hope for healing and pray it will come soon.

We pray for answers and to understand them when they come.

Here's a prayer for those who wait and hope and pray...  

 

   Sometimes it seems you leave us hanging, Lord:

   between tomorrow and today,  

   the known and all that's unknown, 

   between our fears and all our dreams

 

   but there lies a simple truth

   between now and what's to be:

   all is in your hands, Lord,

   all is in your hands

 

   while our hands fold 

   and hold in prayer the hope

   you're leading us from tears and fears

   to peace, O Lord, 

   the peace for which we long

 

   and if peace be slow in coming

   help us fold our hands in yours

   and hold your strength as ours

   'til your plan for us unfolds and

   you hold us in your arms

   in that peace

   for which we wait and hope and pray...

 

   Amen. 

 

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NIGHT PRAYER: 5/11

Thank you for this beautiful day, Lord,
and for your healing touch 
on my bare skin...

I know you, Lord,
I believe in you,
I trust in your presence by my side,
I hear your voice in the scriptures,
I sometimes hear you whisper 
in the quiet of my prayer...

But when I feel your touch

upon my head, my brow, my face, my arms and legs, 

when I feel your warmth enveloping my body 

when you touch my skin 

then

you touch my heart, my hope, my faith 

that you're truly present to my body and my soul, 

in my mind and in my thoughts, 

head to toe, inside out, 

in the whole of who I am...

Thank you for this day, Lord
and for your healing touch
on my bare skin...

As the sun sets and this day ends,
stay with me, Lord,  as I lie awake
and watch over me through the night,
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

Tonight's song comes with a video of beautiful, natural images.
(To follow the lyrics, be sure to move your cursor off the video.)




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Pause for Prayer: 5/11

NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 5/10

I guess restless is a good way to put it, Lord:
I'm feeling restless...

Unsettled, uneasy and maybe a little anxious
- but restless probably says it best...

Restless in my thoughts and feelings,
restless in my heart and soul,
restless in my own skin,
restless in my prayer...

As this day ends, Lord, I come to ask you
for peace of mind and heart,
for serenity, for tranquility,
for a calming of my soul,
for a stillness in my prayer
where I might find you there, waiting for me,
waiting to settle and to steady me,
to be my refuge and my haven...

Be peace in my unsettled soul,
be the calm that puts my mind at ease,
be the hush that stills my racing thoughts,
be the resting place of my restless heart tonight, Lord,
be the resting place of my restless heart tonight...

Protect me, Lord, as I lie awake
and watch over me when I fall asleep
that awake, I might keep peaceful watch with you
and asleep, rest safely in your peace...

Amen.

Lord, You Have Come by Cesáreo Gabaráin

  

Lord, you have come to the seashore,
neither searching for the rich nor the wise,
desiring only that I should follow.

O, Lord, with your eyes set upon me,
gently smiling, you have spoken my name;
all I longed for I have found by the water,
at your side, I will seek other shores.

Lord, see my goods, my possessions;
in my boat you find no power, no wealth.
Will you accept, then, my nets and labour?

Lord, take my hands and direct them.
Help me spend myself in seeking the lost,
returning love for the love you gave me.

Lord, as I drift on the waters,
be the resting place of my restless heart,
my life’s companion, my friend and refuge.


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Monday Morning Offering: 5/10

      Image: George Mendoza   

Good morning, good God!

Sometimes, Lord, 

I'm so overwhelmed by your gifts

I don't know where to begin

to offer you my thanks and praise...

And sometimes, Lord, I'm just overwhelmed 

(by so many worries and concerns)

that I miss your gifts and blessings

and don't even think of thanking you

for all you've given me...

 

So this morning, Lord,

I offer you a prayer, my desire,

to find, to see and never miss

any gift or blessing that falls to me

from your kind and generous hand...

 

Overwhelm me with your blessings, Lord,

and open my eyes and ears and heart 

to every single one...

 

Overwhelm me with grace to draw me

out of darkness into light,

from sorrow into joy,

from need to serenity, 

from doubt to faith in you

and all your many gifts...

 

Let nothing overwhelm me, Lord,

save the joy of knowing

the breadth and depth and peace

of all you offer me...

 

Amen.

 

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