Let us call on the name of the Lord and ask forgiveness for our sins.

Let us ask God for a spirit of forgiveness.

As members of the church of Christ who ascended to heaven, we know we can like him enter the divine sanctuary and make our prayers for God’s intercession.

Like you, O Lord, your first martyr Saint Stephen called on God to forgive his persecutors. Today we pray for that same forgiveness.

As our celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection continues in this Easter season, we turn to God with faith in God’s mercy.

Our God asks us to love one another. For when we have not loved, we now ask for God’s forgiveness.

Our Lord leads us to eternal life. With confidence in our shepherd we pray to God.

God forgives our sins. In a spirit of repentance we turn to God’s mercy.

The mercy of the Lord endures forever. With hope in that mercy, we offer our prayers.

So that at all times we may “think of what is above,” let us ask God to receive our prayers.