Prayers of the People, Ascension of the Lord Sunday

God of Majesty and Wonder,
we bow in awe of you.
With the waters of creation,
we lift up our voices in adoration
and praise.
You are the Lord
forevermore.
We worship you!

Hear our prayers, O God,
for those whose strength is waning,
whose courage to face the day
cannot be mustered as it once was,
whose hope is failing.
Remind us of your sovereignty.
Remind us of your authority
over all the earth.
Remind us that from everlasting to everlasting,
you are God.

Open our ears, O God,
to all of creation:
to the songs of praise from the birds,
but also from the stones;
to the whispers in the leaves,
but also in the rippling streams;
to the joyful shouts of delighted creatures,
but also those of the ocean waves 
and the mountain peaks.
Remind us that we, too, are your creatures,
and that all of creation is a self-revelation
of your vastness,
your wisdom,
your imagination,
your energy,
your power,
your compassion,
your grace.
Inspire us to join in the celebration.

Hear our prayers, O God,
for your church.
Help us to be purposeful 
about living out our call
to serve the lonely,
the grieving,
the poor,
the imprisoned,
the struggling.
Help us to be intentional 
about recognizing you
in every part of creation
and also humbling ourselves
to you, the Creator,
Redeemer,
and Sustainer.
Make of us one Body
at work in the world,
according to your purpose ...
​according to your Word.

Hear our prayers, O God.
We lift them up to you.