LIVING IN LIGHT OF PENTECOST

We may think of Pentecost as a historical event from long ago and far away—but it didn’t end some 2,000 years ago.

Pentecost is still happening in us and among us today.

When Jesus gave His apostles the Great Commission, He instructed all believers—then and now—with the call to commit to bringing the Gospel to all nations until His return, saying:

“It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” -Acts 1:7-8

In 2021, we are still living in the season of Pentecost, gathering in the harvest of believers before Jesus’ return.

So today, not only can we remember the pouring out of the Holy Spirit 2000 years ago, but we can pray for the harvest of believers to grow in anticipation of God’s ultimate feast.

In response to the charge of the ascended Christ at Pentecost, we invite you to join us in prayer for ourselves, our communities, and our world in 2021:

Come, Holy Spirit. Quicken our hearts with Your love, compassion, and power.

We pray for peace. May Your peace fall where prayer is raised. We hold before You our neighborhoods, all the people of our land and throughout the world, especially the unreached nations.

We pray that government officials around the world would work for the good of all: the rich and poor, powerful and powerless, the decision makers and the marginalized. 

We pray for both victims and perpetrators of crimes and oppression. May You help our communities and the nations become safer and more equitable. 

Holy Spirit, give us courage to hold the value of Your Kingdom in the midst of our choices. Let light shine where there is darkness. Let there be peace where there is strife. Let there be compassion and faith where there is sorrow and anxiety. 

To You we bring the troubled places in our world today. Hear their cries. Come to their aid. Protect and strengthen churches, ministries and workers that serve in Your name. Unite us for the cause of Christ. Revive us, that we may not stray or stumble, but be faithful to Your Great Commandment and Great Commission.

Teach us to pray. Instruct us to act in compassion, generosity, humility and courage.

In Jesus’ name we ask, amen.

*Prayer adapted from: https://www.transformingmission.org/portfolio-item/2745/