Ascension Day: Morning Prayer

Ascending into Heaven

Section 1: The Call to Come Up

Scripture:

"The earth is Yahweh’s, with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell in it. For he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the floods." — Psalm 24:1-2 (WEB)

"It shall happen in the latter days, that the mountain of Yahweh’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many peoples shall go and say, 'Come, let’s go up to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.' ... House of Jacob, come, and let’s walk in the light of Yahweh." — Isaiah 2:2-3, 5 (WEB)

Prayer:

Lord, we hear your invitation to leave the lowlands of our distractions and climb the mountain of Your holiness. Draw our hearts upward to where light and truth reside.

Section 2: The Blockage

Scripture:

"Who may ascend into Yahweh’s hill? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully." — Psalm 24:3-4 (WEB)

"For we have all become as one who is unclean, and all our righteousnesses are as a polluted garment. We all fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on your name, who stirs himself up to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have consumed us by our iniquities." — Isaiah 64:6-7 (WEB)

Prayer:

Almighty God, we confess the weight that keeps us grounded. Our hands are not clean, and our own efforts at righteousness are tattered. We acknowledge the barrier our sin has created.

Section 3: The Cry for Salvation

Scripture:

"Oh that you would tear the heavens, that you would come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence... For from of old men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither has the eye seen a God besides you, who works for him who waits for him." — Isaiah 64:1, 3-4 (WEB)

Prayer:

In our helplessness, we cry out: Tear open the heavens, Lord! We cannot climb to You, so we wait for You to act on our behalf in ways we could never imagine.

Section 4: The Descent

Scripture:

"Who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross." — Philippians 2:6-8 (WEB)

The Confession:

"For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven." — The Nicene Creed

Prayer:

Jesus, we marvel at Your humility. You left the heights of glory to meet us in our brokenness, descending into our humanity to lift us up.

Section 5: The Ascent

Scripture:

"Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." — Philippians 2:9-11 (WEB)

Prayer:

We celebrate Your victory! The gates are open because You have returned to the Father’s side, bearing our humanity into the very heart of God.

Section 6: Give Thanks

Scripture:

"What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? Who could bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us." — Romans 8:31-34 (WEB)

Prayer:

Thank You, Father, that our Advocate is seated at Your right hand. Because He is there, we are secure, justified, and loved with an everlasting love.

Section 7: Taking Our Place with Him

Scripture:

"Lift up your heads, you gates! Be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory will come in. Who is this King of glory? Yahweh strong and mighty, Yahweh mighty in battle... He is the King of glory." — Psalm 24:7-10 (WEB)

"If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God... Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him." — Colossians 3:1-4, 17 (WEB)

Prayer:

Lord, as You ascended, take our hearts with You. Help us to live today with our minds set on Your kingdom, doing everything in Your name as citizens of heaven. Amen.

Ascension Day: Evening Prayer

Living in the Light of His Return

Section 1: Praying through the Story

Scripture:

"When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing, who also said, 'You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way as you saw him going into heaven.'" — Acts 1:9-11 (WEB)

" ²² “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him among you, even as you yourselves know, ²³ him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; ²⁴ whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it… ³² This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses. ³³ Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you now see and hear... Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." — Acts 2:22-24, 32-33, 36 (WEB)

"Now, brothers, I know that you did this in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But the things which God announced by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ who was ordained for you—Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets through the ages." — Acts 3:17-21 (WEB)

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we stand in awe of Your journey—from the cross to the grave, and from the earth to the throne. You are the exalted Lord and Christ. As we wait for the restoration of all things, refresh our souls with Your presence this evening.

Section 2: What God Has Done

Scripture:

"But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them." — Ephesians 2:4-10 (WEB)

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the "exceeding riches" of Your grace. We marvel that because Christ has ascended, we too are seated with Him in heavenly places. Thank You for making us Your workmanship and for the purpose You have breathed into our lives.

Section 3: Our Response

Scripture:

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind... But you didn’t learn Christ that way, if indeed you heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth." — Ephesians 4:17-24 (WEB)

"Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. Walk in love, even as Christ also loved us, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance." — Ephesians 5:1-2 (WEB)

Prayer:

Lord, as we end this day, we choose to "put on the new man." Help us to walk in a way that reflects Your holiness and Your love. May our lives tonight and tomorrow be a sweet-smelling fragrance to You, as we seek to imitate Your heart in all we do.

Amen.

Ascension Day: Morning Prayer II

Citizenship in the Heavens

Section 1: Our Heavenly Citizenship

Scripture:

"For through him(Jesus) we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit." — Ephesians 2:18-22 (WEB)

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself." — Philippians 3:20-21 (WEB)

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light... Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having good behavior among the nations." — 1 Peter 2:9-12 (WEB)

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own... But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." — Hebrews 11:13-16 (WEB)

Prayer:

Lord, we thank You that we are no longer outcasts. Even as we walk this earth as pilgrims, remind us that our true home and our highest allegiance belong to Your heavenly city. Help us live today as worthy representatives of that holy nation.

Section 2: The Code of the City

Scripture:

"If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your hearts on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God... Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness... but now do you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth...

Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, with a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other... Above all these things clothe yourselves with love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." — Colossians 3:1-17 (WEB)

Prayer:

King Jesus, may the laws of Your kingdom be written on our hearts. Today, we choose to put to death our old ways and clothe ourselves in Your character. May Your love be the garment the world sees when they look at us.

Section 3: The Final Vision

Scripture:

"He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life... The curse will be no more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no night, and they need no light of lamp or light of sun; for the Lord God will give them light. They will reign forever and ever.

'Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.'" — Revelation 22:1-5, 12-14 (WEB)

Hymn of Response: Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

(Lyrics by John Newton, 1779)

Glorious things of thee are spoken,

Zion, city of our God;

He whose word cannot be broken,

Formed thee for His own abode;

On the Rock of Ages founded,

What can shake thy sure repose?

With salvation’s walls surrounded,

Thou may’st smile at all thy foes.

Savior, if of Zion’s city,

I through grace a member am,

Let the world deride or pity,

I will glory in Thy Name;

Fading is the worldling’s pleasure,

All his boasted pomp and show;

Solid joys and lasting treasure

None but Zion’s children know. Amen.

Ascension Day: Evening Prayer II

The Living Way of Hebrews

Opening Proclamation

Scripture:

"Yahweh says to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.' ... Yahweh has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.'" — Psalm 110:1, 4 (WEB)

Section 1: Jesus Our Brother

Scripture:

"But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone... Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." — Hebrews 2:9-15 (WEB)

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we thank You that You are not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters. You shared our flesh and blood so that we might share Your heavenly glory. Because You have conquered death, we lay down our fears this evening.

Section 2: Jesus Our Priest

Scripture:

"Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession. For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need." — Hebrews 4:14-16 (WEB)

Hymn of Response:

Before the throne of God above,

I have a strong and perfect plea;

A great High Priest whose name is Love,

Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands,

My name is written on His heart;

I know that while in heaven He stands

No tongue can bid me thence depart.

Section 3: Jesus Our Forerunner

Scripture:

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil; where as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." — Hebrews 6:19-20 (WEB)

Prayer:

Our hope is anchored in the heavens because You are already there. You have gone before us as a forerunner, scout, and pioneer, marking the path so that we may follow You into the very presence of God.

Section 4: Jesus At Work for Us Now

Scripture:

"But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable. Therefore, he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them." — Hebrews 7:24-25 (WEB)

"Now in the things which we are saying, the main point is this: we have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a servant of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, not man." — Hebrews 8:1-2 (WEB)

"For Christ didn’t enter into holy places made with hands, which are representations of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." — Hebrews 9:24 (WEB)

Section 5: Our Response

Scripture:

"Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh... let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith... let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering... and let’s consider one another to provoke to love and good works." — Hebrews 10:19-24 (WEB)

"...looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." — Hebrews 12:2 (WEB)

"Let’s therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach... Through him, then, let’s offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name. But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." — Hebrews 13:13-16 (WEB)

Section 6: Benediction

Scripture:

"Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." — Hebrews 13:20-21 (WEB)

Final Hymn Lyric:

Crown Him with many crowns,

The Lamb upon His throne;

Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns

All music but its own.

Awake, my soul, and sing

Of Him who died for thee,

And hail Him as thy matchless King

Through all eternity.

Amen.