THE SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION DAY
The Collect
Almighty God, whose only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven: May our hearts and minds also there ascend, and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
ACTS 1:1-11
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, âyou heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.â
So when they had come together, they asked him, âLord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?â He said to them, âIt is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.â And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, âMen of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.â
Psalm 47
O clap your hands together, all you peoples; * O cry aloud unto God with shouts of joy.
For the Lord Most High is to be feared; * he is the great King over all the earth.
He shall subdue the peoples under us,* and the nations under our feet.
He shall choose our inheritance for us, * the pride of Jacob whom he loved.
God has gone up with a shout of triumph, * the Lord with the sound of the trumpet.
O sing praises, sing praises unto our God; * O sing praises, sing praises unto our King.
For God is the King of all the earth; * think upon his mighty acts and praise him with a song.
God reigns over the nations; * God sits on his holy throne.
The princes of the peoples are gathered with the people of the God of Abraham; * for the mighty upon earth have become the servants of the Lord, and he is very highly exalted.
+Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be; world without end. Amen
Ephesians 1:15-23
For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Luke 24:44-53
Then he said to them, âThese are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.â Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, âThus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.â
And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Artwork: âThe Ascension Day Christi.â 1897, Fritz von Uhde (1848-1911)
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Praying for all…that we would thrive in this time, that we would grow closer to the Lord and to each other, that we would treasure our Christian brethren…
please remember in prayer
Michael â tachycardia
Our Phoenix Preacher family, health, healing, joy, peace
Kelly -I have a real need to continue to see my counselor. In addition to the other reasons I see him for I have been having day long panic attacks that I hide behind a smile since my kids are schooling from home. I donât know if video counseling is going to work out and that adds to the panic on top of the depression and PTSD-C symptoms. (Add to that not know if my husband will continue to have a job and health insurance to pay for counseling.) 2 â 4 months feels like forever to not have that support. Please pray for those of us that have mental illnesses that need that support to function in this insane world. I pray my kids never detect this anxiety and have the care free childhoods they deserve.
Alissa-We just experienced this as well. My sweet husband has Autism and was let go from his job yesterday. For Autistic folks change is doubly difficult. Routines are altered and anxiety increases leading to meltdowns and stress. Finding a good job that understands and can adapt with folks on the spectrum is essential. It is heartbreaking that this is happeningâŠ.butâŠ.GOD IS IN CONTROL. Lord please calm your childrenâs minds. You know how each and every BEAUTIFUL autistic mind functions. Please pour out your peace which surpasses all understanding. Please give support, understanding and routine back into lives. Thank you for providing those jobs for that season. Guide us and direct us, in Jesus name. Amen
filbertz -my wife and I are fine. I went to immediate care a couple days ago for symptoms and Iâm simply sick, not with the virus-that-must-not-be-named. Thatâs good. We closed our cafĂ© after trying to keep the doors open and a couple staff employed, but had too little business to justify staying open. CateringâDOA for nowâall dates have been cancelled. Iâm out of school and the building is shuttered until the end of April. Iâm concerned for our students. Iâm concerned for my kids whose jobs are teetering on the brink. But we will get through it. Iâm keeping busy, being available to anyone who needs a hand. Iâm not fussing over my retirement fundsâmaybe Iâll have to work longer, who knows. Iâm peaceful for now and praying for wisdom for myself and those who have difficult decisions to make. Iâm praying for peace and comfort for those who have deep stress and anxiety. Iâm praying that the Spirit of God will move in his people to mobilize them for good and service in their communities and with their neighbors in the name of Jesus. Iâm in a good space, but have been in bad ones before so I understand how transient and unpredictable these things are.
Patrik -Pray for me, an ER nurse in Indianapolis. You are right in what youâve said about the public generally not knowing what they are dealing with. I am concerned about contracting this stuff in time.
Dan form Georgia-Pray for me too. I work in aviation/transportation. We are getting hit HARD as many of you know. I am not even confident when I go into work everyday that it will be my last day (layoff or termination). Also struggling alot with anxiety.
Cathy Andrews -I am not one who panics easily, but I can tell you, this has me all twisted upâŠnot for me, but for my coworkers, my church family and my neighborsâŠI have been furloughed as of tomorrow, two of my coworkers have no other income other than what we make at workâŠI am scared for themâŠmy stepson just moved in with us recovering from a horrific auto accident in novemberâŠI am scared for himâŠI am scared for my brother & sisters in my church family who have compromised lungsâŠI am scare for my pastor who is not physically well at allâŠI am scared for myself because I am helpless to help themâŠbut I am repeating and repeating âPeace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.â John 14:27âŠperhaps we should all keep repeating thisâŠ
Bride of Christ-My daughter works for the city of Honolulu coordinating data storage for the new rail project there. She and her employees are planning on working from home for the next two weeks. She has two employees who donât have computers at home and she is conflicted about what to do. The two employees both are borderline poverty level and she doesnât know how to proceed. Public libraries are still open in Oahu but I told her they will probably be closing soon. The cost of living in Oahu is the highest in the country, so this might explain why x me donât have computers or internet connection at home. She also will be working with a 3 month old baby at home with her since her private daycare center isnât sure how long they will remain open. Her husband is in the Army and they had to cancel their planned trip to Monterey where she was to be the maid of honor at her best friendâs wedding next month because the military has forbidden military and their families from traveling anywhere more than 50 miles from where they are stationed. This alone is a hardship for many military families because so many are stationed far from home. My daughter called me this morning asking for prayer. I just came home 10 days ago from Hawaii after staying with them for a month after the birth of their son . I am so grateful I went when I did and was able to meet my new grandson. My husband and I were planning to go to the wedding in Monterey and my husband was so excited about meeting him then, but now that the wedding has been cancelled heâs wondering when he ever will be able to hold his new grandson. Our military families are facing even stricter travel prohibitions than the general population and facing higher anxiety than normal.
Chris -My wife started her second career as a nurse this week on the hospital floor that they treat the Covid patients. She is courageous with her own health but scared of bringing it home and killing one of our family. Pry for peace and courage and health
Em â For those who have prayed for my daughterâs BIL with Corona V: he is not out of the woods, but todayâs report IS a miracleâŠ.March 8, 2020
âThe breathing tube was removed this morning. They put him on whatâs called âBipapâ and he absolutely hated it. We were able to change to a âhigh flow oxygenâ system and heâs more content with that. That being said, heâs lost 8+ days of his life and is really surprised when we tell him what has transpired during the last week.â today is his first conscious dayâŠ.
his wife knows many are praying and always expresses her gratitude
Em â A lovely man died last night â a neighbor who suffers from PTSD went into his garage and turned on his car â he leaves a 2 1/2 year old child and a wife who is 4 months pregnant â hopefully the VFW here will help
as would prayers from the pray-ers here
thank you and God keep
Linneia â gall bladder, which is another issue!) and joint and muscle aches
Nancy â uested prayer for her discernment of an unexpected opportunity to become a more public advocate for the homeless, especially the challenges that homeless women face. Sandra participates in her churchâs ministry of providing meals, clothing and occasional housing opportunities. She understands the serious responsibilities of being an effective and sensitive communicator of those needs and also the benefits and temptations that a more public presence might bring into her life. Her passion is great to be obedient to God and truly serve others. I am blessed to be one of her beneficiaries!!
Em â daughter is healing from fracture spine
Babylonâs Dread â My ministry partner got ill manifesting mental instability. He is a stroke survivor so we returned early. He is now in hospital being tested for stroke. He is my friend of 25 years and was my co-pastor starting our church. Because of the coronavirus heâs in quarantine protocols â he has no symptoms of infection but all international returnees with illness go into these protocols. He is very confused and unstable.
Michael â I would appreciate prayer as wellâŠlife is pretty overwhelming right now.
Em- my nurse daughter took a nasty fall, cracked a vertebrae and there is no one else on staff at the hospital that can do her job, so sheâs been working through it, sometimes wearing a brace⊠we need prayer that with so little respite her vertebrae will heal correctlyâŠ
BrianD â I lost my sister, and now a friend of the family (my mom)Sherrie has died of cancer. Please pray
Captain Kevin â Appreciate prayer. Iâve been in a Fibro/fatigue/depressed funk all week.
Also, Iâm teaching piano and voice at a local studio, and need many more students to make things work.
Linnea â Would you pray for Greg? He and my husband play tennis. He was treated for an aggressive brain cancer and thought he was clear, but it has roared back. Please pray for healing and that he and his wife come to know the Lord. Thank you!
Xenia-+Pray for the churches of Sri Lanka
Paige â Asking for prayer for a family issue⊠God knowsâŠ. and the silencing of a lying gossip who is spreading slander about me to family members and others. Itâs an on going issue that is quite perplexing, and apparently demonic. Twisted, delusional and strange.
I spoke to a trusted friend about the issue and was told âSatan has given XYZ power to turn people against youâ and âXYZ has been used by Satan to destroy your former marriage and harm the church and now to divide your familyâ.
This XYZ happens to also be cyber stalking me here on the Phoenix preacher.
May God enlighten all souls to see and know Truth and walk in it by His Spirit.
cash â depression , PTSD
David H â I could use a prayer. I was diagnosed with Bellâs Palsy . Right side of my face is paralyzed. Prednisone and an antiviral.
Michael â heart aneurysm and a bad valve, bad back and neck issues.
Captain Kevin â Please pray for my oldest daughter. She is separated from her husband. This is probably the 3rd time in the 3 years theyâve been married. Iâm not sure who is more at fault or if there is any abuse, so I just pray for Godâs will. They are believers, I think.
JD â Marshal whose mother told him that she doesnât love him
Linnea â Jon and Sarah. Please pray that they would know Godâs love and would follow Him out of horrible lifestyles to freedom.
Michael, Rick, Joel, Dan, capt. Kevin, Owen â wand to hear from God in their prayer life
JTK- ongoing back issue.
David H â Aunt Ramona has Adenocarcinoma primary lung cancer.
Victor- chronic back pain
Linnea- sister salvation
Paige- 4 boys to be pleasing to God
Amen, Linnea (I have a dear cousin named Linnea – Swedish mamma)
Dusty thank you for listing prayer needs – my daughter’s BIL is home now, can come off the prayer lust, i believe…
Prayer lust? Oh my… Prayer list. đŻ
Yes, thank you, Dusty… Em, so glad your daughter’s BIL is doing better. BTW, prayer is not a bad thing to lust after!
Dusty…you can take off the gall bladder issue. It has resolved and I really appreciate the prayer.
Dusty…thank you for faithfully posting the list. My gall bladder has been resolved, so it can be taken off–thank you for your prayers.
Em–so glad your daughter’s BIL is doing better, and BTW, prayer lust is not such a bad thing đ