Ghent, Belgium
Opening Prayer Through the Holy Spirit comes our restoration to paradise, our ascension into the kingdom of heaven, our return to the adoption of sons, our liberty to call God our Father, our being made partakers of the grace of Christ, our being called children of light, our sharing in eternal glory, and, in a word, our being brought into a state of all "fulness of blessing," both in this world and in the world to come, of all the good gifts that are in store for us, by promise hereof, through faith, beholding the reflection of their grace as though they were already present, we await the full enjoyment. -Saint Basil (330-379) (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible “We Bless you Lord Jesus, whom God has exalted to the highest place and given the Name that is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” -Philippians 2:9-11. (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. -I John 2:1 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Ascension of Jesus 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.” And when Jesus 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, “Men 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.” -Acts 1:8-11 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others We have an Advocate in Heaven. He hears our prayers. He ever lives to make intercession for us. -Romans 8:34 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Lord Jesus, we bless you on this day of ascension. Your scripture declares that whoever believes in the works that You did on earth, will do even greater things, because You returned to your Father in heaven and the Holy Spirit was given to us. Thank You for giving us the privilege of becoming more like you. May we abide in you and remain with you always. Amen. -A2J Community 
Gozo, Malta
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