Prayer initiative Thy Kingdom Come begins

Published on 29 May 2019

From Ascension to Pentecost Christians across Scotland will be taking part in Thy Kingdom Come, a global prayer movement in 114 countries.

Thy Kingdom Come

Starting on Thursday 30 May and continuing until Sunday 9 June people of all ages and backgrounds will be encouraged to come together in prayer.

Round-the-clock-prayers, special walks, prayer stations and family activities are among a wide range of events that aim to 'Light up the World in Prayer'. Everyone is invited to add an event and pledge to pray.

The Moderator of the General Assembly, Rt Rev Colin Sinclair, will take part in Thy Kingdom Come's signature event in Trafalgar Square, London on 9 June. He is also encouraging Kirk members to take part.

He said: "At the very beginning, on the day of Pentecost the Church was born, but it came after 10 days of prayer.

"In Thy Kingdom Come the Church is being encouraged to pray for the ten days between Ascension and Pentecost because we long for God to move and bless us, and use our Church to be a blessing to the world.

"So wherever you are, find a way in which you, yourself, with others, or with your church, can pray. And may our prayer be Thy Kingdom Come."

Initially begun by the Church of England, Thy Kingdom Come has now been welcomed by the wider Christian community, with 65 denominations taking part.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, said: "I am thrilled and delighted that the Church of Scotland is encouraging every lay and ordained member to join in Thy Kingdom Come.

"Over the past three years more and more worshipping communities around the world, of every denomination and tradition, have rediscovered the riches of the tradition of praying 'Come Holy Spirit' between Ascension Day and Pentecost.

"I hope that this is a great blessing to the Church and bears fruit throughout the years to come in our effective witness to Jesus Christ."

The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Most Rev Mark Strange, has also joined with the Church of Scotland to commend Thy Kingdom Come.

"One of my abiding memories of childhood was every evening - in a not particularly Christian household - sitting down with my father and saying the Lord's Prayer together and that sense of calling for 'Thy Kingdom to Come'.

"So it's with great delight that we as a denomination, the Scottish Episcopal Church, have been involved in Thy Kingdom Come, primarily at a provincial level, but we're now working that down towards charge level.

"It's also with great delight that we share that experience with the Church of Scotland, our partners in mission.

"I ask them, as I know we will do for the Church of Scotland, to pray for each other, as we work through the importance of being able to pray to God and say 'may Thy Kingdom Come.'"

How to get involved