Lord Jesus Christ,
on this day of the Ascension,
we lift our eyes to Heaven with confidence and hope.
You ascend to the Father in glory,
but You do not forsake us.
Your love remains with us every day,
in our joys as well as in our trials,
in our struggles as well as in our hopes.
Thank you, Lord, for Your faithful presence.
Thank you for Your Cross which saves us,
for Your Resurrection which gives us life,
and for this wonderful promise:
‘I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’
Today, our hearts long to follow You.
Lift our souls towards the realities of Heaven.
Detach us from all that draws us away from You.
Teach us to live in peace,
in faith, in charity and in humility.
When doubt overwhelms us, strengthen us.
When we fall, lift us up.
When our hearts are weary, come and comfort us.
Lord Jesus,
You who sit at the right hand of the Father,
intercede for us.
Look upon all families,
those who are sick, isolated or discouraged.
Look upon those who weep,
those seeking meaning in their lives,
those who have lost hope.
Place Your light and Your peace in every heart.
Send Your Holy Spirit upon the world.
May He renew our faith,
may He set our prayers ablaze,
may He give us the courage to proclaim Your love to those around us.
Make us witnesses to Your Gospel,
in our words, in our deeds and in the way we love.
Lord, we also entrust to You our deepest intentions.
You know our hidden wounds,
our anxieties about the future,
our longings for peace, healing and conversion.
We entrust everything to You with confidence,
for You are the living God,
the God who listens,
the God who acts with power and mercy.
Teach us to keep our eyes fixed on Heaven,
without ever forgetting to serve our brothers and sisters on earth.
Give us a heart filled with kindness,
patience and compassion.
May our lives become a living witness to Your presence.
O Jesus, ascended into glory,
prepare a place for us beside You.
Lead us one day into the Father’s house,
where there will be no more suffering, no more tears, no more night,
but only the eternal joy of beholding Your face.
We praise You, Lord Jesus,
King of Heaven and earth.
To You be glory, honour and power
for ever and ever.
Amen.
