Prayers for Ascension Day through The Day of Pentecost
May 13 – May 23, 2021
What is Thy Kingdom Come? Last Sunday, we celebrated Rogation Sunday and spoke about the importance of daily prayers. Thy Kingdom Come is a plan for us to incorporate daily prayer during the next couple of weeks, and hopefully beyond.
After the very first Ascension Day the small band of Jesus’ first followers gathered, 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.
We are praying that the Holy Spirit would inspire and equip us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with our friends, our families, and our communities. May 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.
Let us pray:
Mary, the mother of Jesus,
you stayed with the disciples
in those ten long days between
the Ascension and Pentecost,
still patient, still pondering,
still trusting in your Son.
Be with us now as we remember how Jesus
was taken from your sight.
Be with us now
as we remember his call to share our faith.
Be with us now
as we await His Holy Spirit.
Pray with us now,
‘Come Holy Spirit’,
‘Thy Kingdom Come’.
May God be Glorified through Thy Kingdom Come!
Your servant in Christ,
Father Arnoldo+
How to use this Prayer Guide
Begin by asking the Holy Spirit to help you identify 5 family members or friends to pray for:
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
Use the daily prayers below, and fill in the blank with one of the person(s) you’ve selected above. Other names may be added as well. At the end of the prayer each day, add the following collect:
The Collect 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 Holy 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. Amen.
Ascension Day (Thursday) - The call to share our faith
Prayer Intention:
We pray for all Christians to have the confidence to share the Good News of Jesus Christ,
especially ______.
Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘all authority in heaven and on earth has been given
to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations.’ Matthew 28:18–19a
Let us pray. Lord Jesus, as you ascended to the Father you called us to ‘make disciples of all
nations.’ Help me to share my faith in all that I say and do, so that others may come to know
your Good News.
Friday - To know God better
Prayer Intention: For all those who have lost sight of God, that they would see His love revealed in their lives, especially ______.
My dear people, let us love one another, since love comes from God, and everyone who loves was born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7
Let us pray. Lord Jesus, I love you and I praise you. Help me to love as you love. May my love help to reveal your presence to others this day. I pray especially for those who most need to find the light of your love in their lives.
Saturday - Trust
Prayer Intention: For those who feel isolated and alone, that they will develop meaningful relationships through a
childlike trust in God, especially _______.
If you trust in the Lord and do good, then you will live in the land and be secure. If you find your delight in the Lord, he will grant your heart’s desire. Psalm 36: 3–4
Let us pray. Lord Jesus, I thank you and I place all my trust in you. I offer those times when my own trust fails for those who feel isolated and alone. Help us all to remember your promise that you are with us always.
Sunday - Forgiveness
Prayer Intention: For those in need of God’s mercy, that they will know the joy of his forgiveness, especially ________.
Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost, but may have eternal life. John 3:16
Let us pray. Father I am sorry for the times I have offended you. I thank you for your forgiveness and love. Help us all, who are in need of your mercy, to find forgiveness through the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Monday - Openness
Prayer Intention: For the hearts of those we know and love to be more open to Christ who waits to be invited in, especially _______.
Look, I am standing at the door, knocking. If one of you hears me calling and opens the door, I will come in. Revelation 3: 20a
Let us pray. Lord, today I offer my whole life to you, anew. I thank you for the patience with which you stand and wait for my invitation. Help me, and all who long to know you more, to open our hearts wide and welcome you in.
Tuesday - Curiosity
Prayer Intention: For all those who are beginning to show an interest in matters of faith, that their curiosity will grow into a desire for the living God, especially ________.
Ask, and it will be given to you. Matthew 7: 7a
Let us pray. Lord, I ask you for the gift of prayer. Help me never to be afraid to ask for what you will for me. I pray for all those who kindle a flame of faith that they too may ask and pray for their faith to grow.
Wednesday - Seek
Prayer Intention: For those who seek God, that their search may lead them to find their heart’s desire, especially ______.
Search, and you will find. Matthew 7: 7b
Let us pray. Lord, help me never to become distracted from my search for you. May all who seek you, with a sincere heart, find their heart’s desire.
Thursday - Encounter
Prayer Intention: For us all to encounter the person of Jesus Christ and experience life lived to the full, especially ________.
Knock, and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7: 7c
Let us pray. Lord Jesus, I adore you. I give thanks for every opportunity to encounter you each day. Help us all to understand that we too must knock at the door of your Kingdom where you wait to welcome us in.
Friday - Freedom
Prayer Intention: For those who are held down by past experiences, hurt or pain, that they may know the freedom that Christ brings when we follow him, especially ______.
When Christ freed us, he meant for us to remain free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
Let us pray. Father today we celebrate the freedom we received through the gift of Christ your Son. Help us to follow him more nearly so that we may shrug off the burdensome yoke of past hurts and pain.
Saturday - Faith
Prayer Intention: For those who want to grow in faith, that we may all be filled with the hope of what is to come, especially ______.
Only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for, or prove the existence of the realities that at present remain unseen. Hebrews 11:1
Let us pray. Lord, today I come to you in the silence of faith. No words can express the wonder of your being. Help me and all who seek to grow in faith, to have the gift of silent prayer in your presence so that we may hear more clearly your word of hope.
Pentecost Sunday - Thy Kingdom Come
Prayer Intention: For the whole Church to be filled with the Holy Spirit ‘as by a new Pentecost’, especially _______.
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:4a
Let us pray. Lord, on this Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the gift of your Holy Spirit. We pray that the whole Church will be filled with the fire of your love. Come Holy Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
Sources for this Prayer Guide
• The Holy Bible
• The Book of Common Prayer, Church Publishing, New York
• Prayer Journal for Thy Kingdom Come, Church House Publishing, London, 2020.
I am grateful to the Rev. Gerald Phelps for Sharing.