Dear Church Family,
Thy Kingdom Come is a project to encourage us to nine days of prayer from Ascension to Pentecost, (13 – 23 May).
As we emerge from lockdown the need for prayer is greater than ever. I want to invite you, therefore, to join with Christains of all denominations throughout the world to take time to pray ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ in the nine days between Ascension and Pentecost.
Jesus teaches us as His followers to pray to God as Father
2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.” (Lk 11:2)
Because Jesus is who he is, not only is he the one who reveals God to us and saves us, he is also the one who tells us to follow him and do as he does.
When we turn to the Gospels, we see that he prayed. He spoke to God as a child to its father: confidently and securely, and yet at the same time reverently and obediently. All who are one with Him share in this Father/ child relationship that Jesus has with God, and can speak to Him as Father.
This year ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ has a local, national and international emphasis:
Locally, to pray for those who have not been able to access the community of faith during these times, and to reach out to them.
Nationally, for those whose health work has been affected by lockdown..
Internationally, for the persecuted Church throughout the world and the challenges that they face.
Good resources are available to help to pray: “Hidden Church” booklets to pray for the persecuted Church; bookmarks with the names of 5 friends/ neighbours to pray for to come to faith; and ‘concertina’ booklets to pray for colleagues at work.
There’ll be a prayer space at the back of the Church building where we can pray on Sundays, and of course we can pray at home, while we’re washing the dishes or going for a walk.
Please pick up the resources on your way out after Church, or from the Church office.
Your brother in Christ,
Ian