As we move from Easter to Pentecost, let us pause for a while at the feast of the Ascension. It is at the Ascension that Jesus hands over to his Apostles, and to us, his mission to bring all people closer to God the Father, through knowing and following his Son. Jesus commands us, ‘Go and make disciples of all nations!’ We are to bring God’s Kingdom into the lives of all we meet so that they too may share in the new life of the Resurrection.
And we are not alone. Following the Ascension of Jesus into heaven, the Apostles returned to Jerusalem, to the upper room where they were staying and prayed constantly for the coming of the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and stepping out into the world, they carried on the mission of Jesus. Through prayer we too are able to call on the Holy Spirit to fill us with courage as we take on this mission of evangelisation, of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.
In the call to mission, the Diocese of Westminster is supporting the global prayer movement for evangelisation Thy Kingdom Come which takes place from Ascension to Pentecost.
Thy Kingdom Come invites Christians around the world to pray between Ascension and Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus Christ. What started out as an invitation from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in 2016 to the Church of England has grown into an international and ecumenical call to prayer. In his role as Joint President of the Council of Churches for England, Cardinal Vincent says: ‘To have a week of prayer for Christian mission is just a wonderful thing. Please do join in before Pentecost, this drive to pray together for the gift of God’s spirit for our mission. We know how rich Pentecost is in the life of the Church from its very beginning. That richness can be ours too, if we ask God for it.’
Individuals, families and parishes are invited to Pledge to Pray. This is done by logging on to the Thy Kingdom Come website, and each pledge lights up a dot on worldwide map. Please do consider making a pledge to pray for evangelisation during this period.
We hope to encourage as many people as possible to become involved in Thy Kingdom Come and, through the workings of the Holy Spirit, take forward the work of evangelisation in the Diocese of Westminster.
Posters advertising the novena, a guide with ideas on how the parish community can be involved, and prayer leaflets for individuals and families to pray are available in parishes across the diocese. All materials are also available to download from the diocesan website http://rcdow.org.uk/faith/thy-kingdom-come-2017/ Further information, ideas and a range of resources are also available from the Thy Kingdom Come website www.thykingdomcome.global/
Deacon Adrian Cullen – Evangelisation Coordinator
The Prayer for Thy Kingdom Come
Almighty God,
your ascended Son has
sent us into the world to
preach the good news of
your kingdom:
inspire us with your Spirit
and fill our hearts with the
fire of your love, that all
who hear your word may
be drawn to you, through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
