Thy Kingdom Come: An invitation to prayer

‘Thy Kingdom Come’ is an annual invitation to prayer called by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. Lasting for eleven days, along with churches from over 65 different denominations in over 170 countries around the world, we are hoping as many as possible from St John’s might commit simply to praying The Lords’ Prayer at home or wherever we are every day at Midday from Ascension, 21st May, till Pentecost, 31st May.
The focus is specific prayer for churches, households and as individuals for friends, families, communities and countries to come to know the saving love of God in Jesus Christ. For ourselves that, empowered by God’s Spirit, we would grow in confidence to show and tell of God’s love.
During the 11 days of Thy Kingdom Come, it is hoped that everyone who takes part will:

Deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ

Pray for God’s spirit to work in the lives of those they know

Come to realise that every aspect of their life is the stuff of prayer.

After the very first Ascension Day the disciples gathered with Mary, constantly devoting themselves to prayer while they waited for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Like them, our reliance on the gift of the Holy Spirit is total – on our own we can do nothing. Through the centuries Christians have gathered at that time to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit. ‘Thy Kingdom Come ’picks up this tradition.

Over the past three years more and more worshipping communities have dedicated the days between Ascension and Pentecost to pray ‘Come Holy Spirit’. We are praying that the Spirit will inspire and equip us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with our friends and families, our communities and networks.
It has been amazing how many varied ways there have been in which people from every tradition have taken up this challenge. The effects have been remarkable. It is our prayer that those who have not yet heard the Good News of Jesus Christ and his love for the world will hear it for themselves and respond and follow Him.
By following the link https://www.thykingdomcome.global/lightuptheworld?id=16131 and zooming in you will see lights shining out from Perth. We are one of those lights.

Signatories include the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Scotland, the United Free Church, the United Reformed Church, the Baptist Union of Scotland, the Methodist Church, the Society of Friends (Quakers), Congregational Federation in Scotland, the Salvation Army, the Church of the Nazarene, and Redeemed Christian Church of God.

Taking place on Sunday 22 March, people of faith are being encouraged to light a candle and place it in their window at 7pm.*

The letter asks that we “join in prayerful solidarity with this witness”, describing the candle as “a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, the source of hope in this life.”

The following prayer can be used when lighting the candle:

For all that is good in life, thank you,
For the love of family and friends, thank you,
For the kindness of good neighbour and Samaritan stranger, thank you.

May those who are vulnerable, hungry or homeless, experience support,
May those who are sick, know healing,
May those who are anxious or bereaved, sense comfort.

Bless and guide political leaders and decision-makers, with wisdom,
Bless and guide health workers and key workers, with strength and well-being,
Bless and guide each one of us, as we adapt to a new way of living.

And may the light shining from our windows,
across road and wynd, glen and ben, kyle and isle,
be reflected in our hearts and hands and hopes.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

The signatories of the letter are:

Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
Rt. Rev. Colin Sinclair, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
Rev. John Fulton, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
Rev. Dr David Pickering, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
Ms. Adwoa Bittle, Clerk to General Meeting for Scotland, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Rev. May-Kane Logan, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
Rev. Jim Ritchie, District Superintendent, British Isles North District, Church of the Nazarene
Pastor Chris Gbenle, Provincial Pastor, Province of Scotland, Redeemed Christian Church of God
Lt. Col. Carol Bailey, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army

* Please take all necessary fire precautions when using a lit candle. Ensure you remain with the lit candle at all times, and do not leave it to burn if you leave the room. Ensure there are no fabrics or materials such as curtains near the candle.