For information about this helpful scheme: Trypraying - the idea 2024 on Vimeo https://do.trypraying.org https://vimeo.com/912533124
PENTECOSTReadings: Acts 2v1-21; Psalm 104v26-end; Romans 8v22-27; John 15v26-27 & 16v4b-15. Let us pray: May the words of my mouth, and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. A Word: In the gospel of John, we hear Jesus telling his disciples that after he leaves them that he will return to his father and together they would send them a helper. This helper is the Spirit of Truth who would help them by: guiding them; supporting them; by bringing them messages; by exposing errors and guiding them into true understanding. In the Book of Acts, we hear that this promise was fulfilled after Jesus’ ascension, whilst the disciples were gathered to celebrate the Jewish feast of Pentecost. On this day, the holy spirit of truth came to them sounding like a strong gale force wind. As the spirit spread, the apostles and disciples began to speak about the mighty works of God in many different languages. It was so astonishing because devout Jewish pilgrims from all over the world reported that they heard what was being said in the mother tongues of the places they had come from. However, not everyone understood what was happening. Some of those present were simply confused and others made jokes and said that everyone must be drunk. In response to this Peter stood up and boldly proclaimed that no-one was drunk and that what was happening was the fulfilment of the words of the prophet Joel. For through the prophet Joel, God had foretold that, before the day of the Lord’s return, his spirit would be poured out on every kind of people, both male and female; and, by the power of the spirit, people would serve God, prophesy, see visions and dream dreams. In our time, as we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, we remember that what was foretold by the prophet Joel and promised by Jesus, was fulfilled. For this was the time when the apostles and disciples were anointed with the holy spirit to equip them to carry out God’s mission. A mission that continues as we wait for Jesus’ return. A mission guided and led by the Spirit of God as described in the letter to the Romans. The spirit that awakens and stirs us up - so we can do God’s bidding - as we await the Lord’s return. The spirit that enables us to fulfil the purpose that we hear about in the psalm – our purpose of singing hymns of praise to God because it was God that made and sustains the whole of creation. This is the spirit that will lead us as we move forward with new Church structures that will enable Christian ministry and mission for the future. Let us pray: Day by day dear Lord, of you three things we pray: to see you more clearly, to love you more dearly and to follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen Thank you for joining us.
7th Sunday of EasterReadings: Acts 1v15-17 & 21-end; Psalm 1; 1 John 5v9-13; John 17v6-19.Let us pray: May the words of my mouth, and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.A Word: This week we are between the feasts of Ascension and Pentecost, the time when Christians in denominations throughout the world are praying for God’s Kingdom to Come. A dedicated time to pray for the Holy Spirit to descend on people we know, or love or care about. For, one day Jesus will return to collect God’s people – and we can all play a part in getting the world ready. For, as the Psalm tells us, God is fond of those who: study the word of God and avoid the ways of the wicked; because they are like trees planted in Eden, trees always in blossom, trees bearing fresh fruit every month. And, as we are warned in the psalm, God is not pleased about people who waste their lives and brag about their sinful dead-end ways of living – for they are like windblown dust, an unfit company for innocent people, a people running headlong into danger.This time of prayer for God’s Kingdom to Come – is a time of Christian action, to pray for people to turn away from wasted lives and become a people who study God’s word. Now, we know that prayer is important because, in the gospel of John, Jesus prayed for his followers. In his prayer, Jesus asked his father to guard his followers and keep them safe - by making them one in heart and mind – so that they would be able to carry out the mission they were sent out into the world on and be able to share the truth that consecrates and makes people holy. And, in the letter of John, we hear that the truth Jesus’ followers were sent out to share is that: whoever believes in the Son of God has eternal life; and whoever rejects what Jesus has to say about God - rejects the gift of eternal life.Today, as Jesus followers we are: a people called into the service of God as a people of prayer and Bible study. A people who can pray for others. We are also a people who God calls into the ministry and leadership that Jesus is calling us into. A ministry and leadership that has its origins in antiquity when we look back to people like Moses and King David. A ministry and leadership that we hear about in the book of Acts as Peter sorts out a successor to replace Judas Iscariot using eligibility criteria, prayer and the drawing of straws. A process by which Matthias was chosen to join the eleven apostles and begin working with them to fulfil the work that Jesus had called them to do. Today I pray we will all hear the voice of God, and hear what is calling us to be as his chosen people. A people who Jesus prayed for who by working together co-operatively, will be consecrated and become holy because of Jesus.Let us pray: Most merciful God, we give you thanks for your risen and ascended son Jesus, who delivered and saved the world by his death on the cross. Help us to be like him – a people who believe the testimony of God, that Jesus is the way by which we can be saved and grow into a people consecrated by the truth. Lord guide us as we study the scriptures; protect and guard us as we absorb the truth that will consecrate and make us holy. Lord help us as we do our best, and do our bit, to share the truth that will guide people to eternal life. AmenThank you for joining us.
Join the global wave of prayer between Ascension and Pentecost in which Christians from many denominations pray for more people to come to know the love and peace of Jesus Christ. You are invited to take part from 9-19 May 2024 and to do so in your own way. We hope you do because you will be joining in with Christians from churches from over 85 different denominations and traditions in over 172 countries around the world.For those of you who need or want it, the Church of England website has a range of resources to support you in this wave of praying. See also what the Archbishop has to say about it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSa3TemZwS0
