Arise, O God – Hear Our Prayer

A litany by Margaret D. McGee, for use on Ascension Day or the Sunday after Ascension Day.

With open hearts, let us offer up our prayers together, saying,

Arise, O God,
Hear our prayer. 

For the clouds that rise over the mountain, for the mists that rise over the field, for the eagle on the wing, for the wild rhododendron and the cultivated corn, for the salmon in the waters, for the people on the land, for the health of the earth and all who live on it,

Arise, O God,
Hear our prayer.

For all faithful people, that we may be your witnesses at home and wherever we go, to the ends of the earth.

Arise, O God,
Hear our prayer.

For all those in authority in this and every land, and for all who work to create a more just society, that the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened, and that they hear your call to hope.

Arise, O God,
Hear our prayer.

For those in need and those with plenty, that we all may be generous in spirit and in action.

Arise, O God,
Hear our prayer.

For those who are sick, alone, imprisoned, or in any kind of trouble, that their hearts may be raised to your heart, and that they find rest and strength in your love.

Arise, O God,
Hear our prayer.

For all the departed, and for all whose spirits soar free.

Arise, O God,
Hear our prayer.

We pray in confidence to the One who is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, and the bright morning star, assured with Christ our Savior that you have loved us before the foundation of the world.

Amen.

These responsive prayers were first used on the Sunday after Ascension Day, May 20, 2007, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Port Townsend, Washington.

References 

In writing these prayers, I used language from scripture readings for Ascension Day and for the Sunday After Ascension Day:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Acts 1:8

“… so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you….”  Ephesians 1:18a

“Let God arise …”  Psalm 68

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end … I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. …”  Revelation 22: 13, 16b

Photo by Ken Sturm, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service