We thank Thee, Lord Jesus Christ, Thou blessed Prince of life, that Thou out of divine love, didst give Thyself into death for us, and didst offer Thyself as a propitiation for our sins unto Thy heavenly Father; whereby Thou didst deliver us from the power of death, of the devil and of everlasting damnation, and in proof whereof Thou, as the Prince of life and as the Conqueror of death, didst lift up Thy head on the third day, didst rise again, and didst bring forth righteousness, innocence and eternal life. We beseech Thee, give us grace, and so operate in us through Thy Holy Spirit, that we may heartily rejoice and find comfort in Thy death and resurrection, and thereby quiet our consciences and overcome all fear of death. Do Thou also permit Thy resurrection to be a cause and an incitement to us to do good works and to bring forth fruits of righteousness, so that we, as Thy people, may be willing to worship Thee in the beauty of holiness. Help that we may daily die unto sin, crucify and slay the old Adam with his evil lusts and desires, and, on the other hand, spiritually arise, begin to live in righteousness, to walk in newness of life, to purge out the old leaven, and to become a new unleavened bread. Help also that we may await with comfort and joyful hope the resurrection of our deceased bodies, which shall come forth in virtue of Thy resurrection, on the last day, and that we may enter into Thy presence with body and soul in the kingdom of Thy everlasting heavenly glory and excellence. Amen. 11. Prayer on Ascension Day. Lord Jesus Christ, Thou eternal High Priest and King of all thrones, after Thou hadst finished all things upon earth, which had been written concerning Thee, Thou didst enter into the heaven of glory in and according to Thy exalted humanity, and didst sit down at the right hand of God upon the throne of majesty; yet Thou art everywhere and Thy kingdom is over all. We, however, are still pilgrims here below, in the valley of misery, in a world which lies in wickedness, and of which Thou didst say, that Thou hast overcome it. Where now is the way which will lead us safely through to Thee? O Lord, how shall we find the way, unless Thou teachest us through Thy Spirit, and through Him leadest and preservest us upon it? Lord, the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, and all its best glory is as perishable as the day that was yesterday. Our stay in it, moreover, is of few days that pass away swiftly indeed, more swiftly than water. O, lead us on the way to heaven, into Thy glory, where we can remain with Thee forever. Behold, we die, one after the other, and pass away as a shadow. But we ourselves with difficulty take it to heart: each one travels the road that seems to him to be right. Do Thou therefore make our heart certain, that we may not walk upon any other road than the one that leads us to Thee and to Thy imperishable glory.