Sunday after Ascension

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SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION DAY
Sunday, June 2, 2019

Readings:
Lesson: Acts 1:1-11
Psalm: 47
Epistle: 1 Peter 4:7-11
Gospel: John 15:26–16:4

ADORATION
Lord Jesus Christ, I praise and exalt You, for You have gone up with a shout. You have ascended into Heaven in great triumph and glory with the sound of the ram’s horn. I clap my hands, and I shout to You with a cry of joy, for You have gone up on high, taking captivity captive. I sing praises to You, my Lord and my God, for You are the King of all the earth. You reign over all the nations of this world. You sit upon your holy throne at the right hand of the Father Almighty. I worship and I bless You day by day, because You are the God of my salvation who bears my burdens, and by whom I escape sin and death.

CONFESSION
Lord, I confess that, like Your disciples, I often wonder if You will now at this time restore Your Kingdom. I look at the violence, injustice and discord of this world and cry out with the Psalmist, “How long, O Lord? How long?” But I acknowledge that it is not for me to know the times and seasons which the Father has laid out. It is not up to me to know Your plan. It is enough for me to believe and know that You will return in the same way Your disciples saw You ascend into Heaven. And it is more than enough for me to know that Your Holy Spirit infills and empowers me with power to live as a faithful witness to Your love.

THANKSGIVING
My Savior and Redeemer, I thank You that at every moment You send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to speak Your truth. I thank You for sending Him to console me in moments of harassment, assault and rejection. You have promised me that You would not leave me comfortless, and that You will be with me until the end of time. And so I am renewed in Your Spirit because in Him, I feel Your presence, the fulfillment of Your promise. I am strengthened in Your Spirit to meet any time of trial, knowing that I am not alone but that You are ever beside me. I manifest to others Your loving presence, Your all-encompassing peace, and Your never-ending joy.

SUPPLICATION
Risen and ascended Lord, Your faithful followers waited this week in prayer for the arrival of Your promised Holy Spirit. I ask that I may wait with sound mind and ever vigilant in prayer. But above all, I pray that I may have fervent love within me, for love alone covers a multitude of sins. I call on love to help me choose to forgive unkindness, overlook selfishness, and seek the best in others and in myself. I resolve to speak with the very utterances of God—for You know, Lord, that there is much that needs to be spoken. I pledge to devote myself to others according to the abilities You have given me, so that You may be glorified in all that I do.

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