Ascension Day on Thursday sees the start of Thy Kingdom Come, an international and ecumenical wave of prayer lead by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.
The 11 day period of spiritual concentration is when worshippers are asked to pray specifically for more people to find faith in Christ.
Church of England dioceses hold beacon events during Thy Kingdom Come and on June 2, at 3.30pm Bishop Nick will lead a short gathering at Ripon Cathedral at 3.30pm, before everyone is invited to explore pilgrimages and prayer stations inside and outside the cathedral.
After the very first Ascension Day the disciples gathered with Mary, 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. Over the past three years more and more worshipping communities have dedicated the days between Ascension and Pentecost to pray ‘Come Holy Spirit’.
They pray that the Spirit will inspire and equip them to share Christ's message with friends and families, communities and networks.
The central prayer is that those who have not yet heard the Good News of Jesus and his love for the world will hear it for themselves, and respond and follow Him.
Specifically, every Christian across the country is invited to pray that God’s Spirit might work in the lives of five friends who have not yet responded to God’s call.