A Concord Pastor Comments: NIGHT PRAYER: Ascension Thursday

Ascension Day is almost over. Before ascending into heaven, Jesus instructed his friends not to leave Jerusalem until they had received the Holy Spirit - and so they waited 9 days, until Pentecost.

We know the story, Lord,

of your gathering with your friends

and ascending from their sight

leaving them the promise

that the Spirit was soon to come...

So for nine days your friends waited

and prayed for the Spirit's coming

in wind and grace and blessing,

with the fire of your love...

I picture them huddled together, Lord,

in that same upper room

where, on the night before you died,

you broke the Bread of Life

and blessed your saving Cup...

I hear them telling, again and again, the stories of your life:

- the story of your calling them

and naming them your friends;

- the stories in your parables,

the truth you came to share;

- the stories of your healing those
distressed, bent low in body and in spirit;

- the stories of your traveling 'round

          to share your Father's mercy;
   - the story of your passion, your suffering and your death,
         and how they fled in fear and left you all alone;
   - and the story of your rising, your meeting them again,
         greeting them with blessings of pardon and of peace...

Tonight, then, Lord, help me remember

- the story of your calling me

and my coming to know you and your love;
- your parables of wisdom

      and how they've touched my heart, my life;
   - the stories of your healing me
          mending me in my brokenness;
   - the story of your following me,
          never ever leaving my side...
   - the story of your saving me,

offering your life upon the Cross,

in spite of - because of - all the ways I've failed you

and betrayed your faithful love;
- the stories of your showing up

along the path I walk
in ways I've least expected you

- but when I really needed you;
- the story of my life with you,

the story of your love for me,

a story we're still writing, sharing, living

- you and I...

No greater story could I tell, Lord,

than the story of your love,

of your holy Spirit guiding me,

blessing me on every day,

in good times and in bad,

in sorrow and in joy...

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

and watch over me while I sleep

that awake I might keep watch for you

and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

My Story by Big Daddy Weave

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If I told you my storyYou would hear hope, that wouldn't let goAnd if I told you my storyYou would hear love that never gave up

And if I told you my storyYou would hear life, but it wasn't mine

If I should speak, then let it be of the graceThat is greater than all my sin

Of when justice was served, and where mercy wins!Of the kindness of Jesus, that draws me inOh to tell you my story, is to tell of Him

If I told you my story,

you would hear victory over the enemyAnd if I told you my story, you would hear freedomThat was won for me

And if I told you my story,

you would hear life overcome the graveIf I should speak, then let it be of the graceThat is greater than all my sin

Of when justice was served, and where mercy wins!Of the kindness of Jesus, that draws me inOh to tell you my story, is to tell of Him

This is my story, this is my songPraising my savior, all the day longThis is my story, this is my songPraising my savior, all the day long

For the grace that is greater, than all my sinOf when justice was served, and when mercy wins!Of the kindness of Jesus, that draws me inOh to tell you my story, is to tell

Of the grace that is greater, than all my sinOf when justice was served, and when mercy wins!Of the kindness of Jesus, that draws me inOh to tell you my story, is to tell of HimOh to tell you my story, is to tell of Him

This is my story, this is my songPraising my savior, all the day long

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