We are asked to pray for the celebration and opportunities of Pentecost this week.
Prayers prepared by Paul Revil our Regional Minister (Missions)
"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability." (Acts 2:4, NRSV)
Give thanks this day for God's grace in giving himself to us in the gift of the Holy Spirit. For all that the Spirit is doing in your life, the gifts he has given, the enabling for following and serving Christ, the fruit he is growing within you to transform your character to be like Jesus. Give thanks for signs of the Spirit's work in church, community and the wider world.
The Holy Spirit moves the church out into mission and enables the church for mission. We see this on the Day of Pentecost with the gift of tongues which enabled the Gospel to be declared across the different language barriers. Therefore let us pray:
- For God's Spirit to equip us to cross the boundaries and barriers to bring the Good News of God's Kingdom more widely: to those of younger generations; to the poor and the overlooked; to the traditional working classes who are largely absent from many of our churches; to all cultures and groups in our communities.
- For God's Spirit to guide and lead us in this time of change as we emerge from pandemic restrictions - that we will be sensitive to the Spirit's leading and open to follow into new ways of being church, new avenues of God's mission, as well as some returning to good ways of the past - wherever he will lead us.
- For God's Spirit to bring new energy, life and transformation to our NBA family of churches; and for Hayley Young as she prepares to take up the role of Transitional Strategic Leader in the autumn, that God will use her to inspire and lead us into the change he would desire for us, and for a deeper life of the Spirit.
- Ask the Spirit to fill you afresh this day and to bring new life into your church. May we wholeheartedly join together in seeking the life and fullness of the Spirit.
Mike Cross
NBA Prayer Co-ordinator
-- Ephesians 1: 15-16 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
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