Thy Kingdom Come invites us to pray from Ascension to Pentecost

Rt Rev Colin Sinclair is encouraging everyone to join in prayer from Ascension Day on 21 May to Pentecost on Sunday 31 May through the ecumenical prayer movement Thy Kingdom Come.

In a letter mailed to congregations across Scotland the Moderator says, " If there is one thing that is needed at this time, alongside the care we can offer, it is united global prayer."

Since it began in 2015, more than two million Christians in 90% of countries worldwide and from 65 different denominations and traditions have taken part in the global prayer event.

Read the Moderator's letter

Dear Friends,

With so much of the world "on hold" it would be easy to think that the prayer initiative; Thy Kingdom Come is another casualty. Not at all! If there is one thing that is needed at this time, alongside the care we can offer, it is united global prayer. Social distancing has actually brought us closer together as we recognise our common humanity and the challenges we must face together.

The Church of Scotland is delighted to be part of Thy Kingdom Come in 2020 while recognising that it needs to take a new approach because of Covid 19. In the light of this, the Thy Kingdom Come website has been updated and adapted for our new situation:

One of the Key themes for Thy Kingdom Come 2020 is prayer and care. As we are praying for those we love to come to know the hope and love of Christ, we also are encouraging all to see how they can show God's love towards them by caring for them. The website suggests practical ways to show Prayer and Care.

Alongside this, there is a very helpful resource "Thy Kingdom Come - five ways to get involved" which is easily adapted for congregations in lockdown. It also includes many other resources which can be downloaded to use at home.

Whether you use the Family Prayer Adventure Map or the 11 day Prayer Journal, the same creativity congregations have employed to set up online worship and find new ways for undertaking pastoral care can equally be employed to stimulate united prayer. You can pray together at set times or set up a continuous virtual prayer event. There is a wealth of practical accessible ideas for all

Let us join together with Christians across the country and around the world for Thy Kingdom Come 2020.

Yours,

Rt Rev Colin Sinclair

In 2019 the Moderator took part in Thy Kingdom Come's Pentecost event in Trafalgar Square, London. This year the new Moderator will be contributing to a video launching Thy Kingdom Come, which will be available on 21 May.