Ascension Day Prayers
What is Ascension Day?
The solemnity of the Ascension commemorates when Jesus returned to heaven forty days after his resurrection. The story is found in the Acts of the Apostles. The holiday is celebrated on the Sixth Thursday of Easter, or on the Sunday after that date in some Catholic dioceses. These Ascension Prayers relate to these themes. More info: All About Ascension Day.
Catholic Ascension Opening Prayer
Let us pray [that the risen Christ will lead us to eternal life]
God our Father, make us joyful in the ascension of your Son Jesus Christ.
May we follow him into the new creation, for his ascension is our glory and our hope.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
New Saint Joseph Sunday Missal
Ancient Catholic Collect for Ascension
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who believe Thine only-begotten Son our Redeemer, to have ascended this day into heaven, may ourselves dwell in spirit amid heavenly things. Roman Missal, sixth-eighth century
Alternate Catholic Ascension Opening Prayer
Let us pray [on this day of Ascension as we watch and wait for Jesus' return]
Father in heaven, our minds were prepared for the coming of your kingdom when you took Christ beyond our sight so that we might seek him in glory.
May we follow where he has led and find our hope in his glory, for he is Lord forever.
Amen
New Saint Joseph Sunday Missal
Ascension Vespers Prayer
O King of Glory,
Lord of Hosts,
Who didst this day ascend in triumph above all the heavens!
Leave us not orphans, but send upon us the Spirit of Truth, promised by the Father.
Alleluia!
The Liturgical Year: Book 9
Anglican Use Collect for Ascension Day
O Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things:
Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.
Amen.
Book of Divine Worship
Ascension Prayer to Live a Full Life
O Lord, Your Ascension into heaven marks the culmination of the Paschal Mystery, and it contains an important teaching for us. May we live life as an earthly reality and develop our human potential to the fullest. May we make use of the results of science to achieve a better life on this planet. But in our best moments we know that there must be more than all of this, a transcending Reality. As Christians, we know that this Reality is Your loving Father Who awaits us with You and the Holy Spirit. Where You have gone, we ultimately will come — if we are faithful.
New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book
Older Anglican Use Collect for Ascension Day
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God,
That like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord, Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens;
So we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
Book of Divine Worship (and 1928 Book of Common Prayer)
Prayer to Christ Ascended Into Heaven
O Lord Jesus, I adore You,
Son of Mary, my Savior and my Brother, for You are God.
I follow You in my thoughts, O firstfruits of our race, as I hope one day by Your grace to follow You in my person into heavenly glory.
In the meantime, do let me neglect the earthly task that You have given me.
Let me labor diligently all my life with a greater appreciation for the present.
Let me realize that only by accomplishing true human fulfillment can I attain Divine fulfillment and ascend to You at the completion of my work.
New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book
South African Anglican Collect for Ascension Day
O Almighty God, who by thy holy apostle hast taught us to set our affection on things above: grant us so to labour in this life as ever to be mindful of our citizenship in heavenly places where our Saviour Christ is gone before; to whom with thee O Father, and thee O Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end.
Amen.
South African Book of Common Prayer
South Indian Anglican Collect for Ascension Day
O God, whose blessed Son, our great high priest, has entered once for all into the Holy Place and ever liveth to intercede on our behalf:
Grant that we, sanctified by the offering of his body may draw near with full assurance of faith by the way which he has dedicated for us and evermore serve thee, the living God;
Through the same thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Amen.
Church of South India
Prayer from the Orthodox Vespers of Ascension
O Christ, you ascended in glory on the Mount of Olives in the presence of your disciples.
O you who penetrate all things with your divinity, you were enthroned at the right hand of your Father and sent down upon your disciples the Holy Spirit who enlightens, strengthens, and saves our souls.
Amen.
Compiled by David Bennett
Updated 05-29-2019