As Christians, we pray the Lord’s prayer often. For some, it is part of their every-day pattern of prayer. Of course, it is this prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to pray, saying ‘Pray then in this way…’ (Matthew 6:9 and Luke 11:2). But what do we mean when we pray the words ‘thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven’? It is simple a statement? Or does this prayer invite us to partner with God, our Father, in working together for his kingdom to come where we live and work, to the people we know and love? The Archbishops of Westminster and York put out a call to prayer in 2016 to the Anglican Communion worldwide, as you can see in this short, animated story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k3pIwVqisA

Since its start in May 2016 God has grown Thy Kingdom Come from a dream of possibility into a movement. Christians from 172 countries have taken part in praying ‘Come Holy Spirit’, so that friends and family, neighbours and colleagues might come to faith in Jesus Christ. ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ is now a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray between Ascension Day (Thursday 13 May) to Pentecost (Sunday 23 May), for more people to come to know the love of Jesus and to walk with him.

This praying together has taken place worldwide in different denominations, recognising that in our diversity and difference every person, household and church are encouraged to pray in their own way. During the 11 days of ‘Thy Kingdom Come’, it is hoped that everyone who takes part will:

• Deepen their own relationship with Jesus Christ
• Pray for 5 friends or family to come to faith in Jesus
• Pray for the empowerment of the Spirit that we would be effective in our witness just as the disciples were.

Through the centuries Christians have gathered to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit. ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ picks up this tradition. Over the years more and more worshipping communities have dedicated the days between Ascension and Pentecost to pray ‘Come Holy Spirit’. This year will be the first time we, the church family at St Albrights and Church Without Walls, will be joining in with ‘Thy Kingdom Come’. So how will we do this? 

• Each day, From Ascension Thursday to Pentecost Sunday, we will be sharing three different videos on our St Albright’s and Stanway Pioneering Facebook pages: the main video (5-10 mins), the youth video (+/- 3 mins) and the Cheeky Panda Video, with in introduction from one of us (+/- 12 mins). You can also find these videos here: https://www.thykingdomcome.global/videos
• We will be delivering Prayer Maps to go with the Cheeky Panda videos to all our families with pre-school or primary aged children. Let us know if you want one! More activity packs available here:https://www.thykingdomcome.global/cheekypandas
• If you usually have our bulletin or monthly prayer diary delivered by hand, you will receive a little prayer booklet called the ‘Novena’, with illustrations, thoughts, a short Bible passage and prayers. They can also be picked up at the back of church are available to download here: https://www.thykingdomcome.global/resources/new-2021
• A song written especially for Thy Kingdom Come, called We seek Your Kingdom: https://youtu.be/2Lp2mMpSa1E
• and in introduction to prayer and to this prayer movement by Archbishop Stephen Cottrell can be found here: https://www.thykingdomcome.global/videos

Whether you have joined in ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ before or not, we invite you to take part – along with churches from over 80 different denominations & traditions in nearly 90% of countries around the world.

“In praying 'Thy Kingdom Come' we all commit to playing our part in the renewal of the nations and the transformation of communities." Archbishop Justin Welby

God bless you, your family, your friends and your community as you pray. Wendy