Morning Prayer for Ascension Day

Eternal High priest, glorified Jesus, who art holy, undefiled, and separate from sinners! Having made atonement for our sins, Thou ascendest into heaven, yea, above the heaven of heavens, and preparest for Thy redeemed ones a place, to which they shall come when they have finished their course in faith. Thou prayest for them, and wilt gather them at last to Thyself, that where Thou art, there they also may be eternally.

I, too, belong to those whom Thou hast bought and redeemed with Thy precious blood; for Thy blood, flowing from Thy wounded side, was shed for all. O how I rejoice over Thy triumphant ascension, because thereby Thou preparest the way for rue, and showest me the place to which I shall come, if I part from this life as Thy servant! O how I rejoice as I now awake, and in spirit hear the hosts of heaven singing, “Alleluia; for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth”! For I too, when I shall have died in peace, and shall have entered that joyful kingdom to which Thou hast paved the way for me by Thy ascension to Thy Father and my Father, to Thy God and my God, shall join that glad refrain, and unite with those perfect spirits in singing to Thee hymns of praise and thanksgiving.

But inasmuch as Thy ascension, O Prince of Life, can avail me nothing, if I remain in the bondage of sin; and Thy victory over death and sin and hell can profit me nothing, unless I also contend against these enemies of my soul; since I cannot attain to the heavenly glory upon which Thou hast entered, unless I be heavenly in mind: I beseech Thee, O dearest Saviour, to grant me grace and strength to enter upon the new spiritual life, and to set my affection on things above. To this end, do Thou kindle within me a fervent desire to know the treasures of grace which Thou hast acquired by Thy sufferings and death, and by Thy ascension and sitting at the right hand of the Father, — treasures which are described in Thy divine Word; so that I may be incited to love Thee truly, and to prefer Thee above all else. And then, when I have known the glory, the righteousness, the peace, and the grace which Thou hast acquired for me, let me diligently seek to enter into true and hearty fellowship with Thee. Give me a living faith, which will hide me in Thy wounds and Thee in my heart, and which will unite me so intimately with Thee, that I shall live in Thee and Thou in me. Let me enjoy constant communion with Thee, pray fervently and unceasingly, and so unweariedly employ my thoughts with Thee, that where my treasure is, there my heart may be also. Guard me against losing this heavenly disposition through love of the world. Keep me from seeking after earthly things which would burden my spirit, weigh me down to the earth, and make me unfit for heaven. Let me constantly direct my heart to that place where I long to be for ever; and let me desire to depart solely in order that I may be with Thee. Lead me thus by Thy side as long as I must continue, in accordance with Thy will, to dwell in this vale of tears. And when I have closed my eyes, and yielded up my spirit into Thy hands, take me unto Thyself in heaven. O how beautiful, how lovely, how glorious, how peaceful I shall then be with Thee! I confidently hope to live with Thee for ever. Let not my hope be put to shame. Satisfy my longing, and let me today yet be placed in the desired state of grace, and steadfastly remain in it: so that when I die, I may behold Thy face, and when I awake again, I may be satisfied with Thy likeness; and that then I may never more be removed from Thy side. Amen.