Pentecost Prayers
When was the last time
that we heard the wind of your Spirit
roar through this place?
When was the last time
your fire lit up this room?
When was the last time
we took you at your word
and met together in expectation
of your Spirit filling this place
and these lives with your Glory and Power?
Lord, you challenge us with Pentecost.
Do we believe that this
was a once in eternity experience
never to be repeated?
That the Holy Spirit was poured out
on your followers for a single purpose
and ended His work at that instant?
If so, then maybe that is why the Church
seems so powerless in this age
helpless when faced with the needs
both spiritual and physical
that we see in the world.
Lord, as we meet together
and celebrate once again
the memory of that first Pentecost
may it be for us as it was then
a moment of empowerment
an awareness of your Glory in this dark world
a life changing experience.
faithandworship
We light a candle
and enjoy the flickering light
the fragrance
and warmth it creates.
But without the spark that ignites
there will be no flame.
Without the wax
the source of power
the wick will not burn.
Without the flame
there will be no fragrance
no warmth, no light.
And so with us, Lord
You are the catalyst that ignites us
and the fuel that sustains us
You fill us with your fragrance
as you enter our lives.
You empower us
to carry your flame in our hearts
To be the fragrance, warmth
and light of your love
in this dark world.
faithandworship
Glorious Trinity
Make your presence
known in this place
through our worship
our prayer
the reading of your Word.
Father, Son, Holy Spirit
within whose unity
lies all that is you
perfect love
justice, peace
and power.
As we gather here today
your body, your church
throughout this world
fill our outstretched hearts
with your spirit
encircle us with your love
Make yourself known to us
in new ways
exciting ways
challenging ways
Empower us
Inspire us
Glorious Trinity
faithandworship
Breathe in me O Holy Spirit
that my thoughts may all be holy;
Act in me O Holy Spirit
that my works, too, may be holy;
Draw my heart O Holy Spirit
that I love but what is holy;
Strengthen me O Holy Spirit
to defend that is holy;
Guard me then O Holy Spirit
that I always may be holy.
St. Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-430)
O God, send forth your Holy Spirit into my heart that I may perceive,
into my mind that I may remember, and into my soul that I may meditate.
Inspire me to speak with piety, holiness, tenderness and mercy.
Teach, guide and direct my thoughts and senses from beginning to end.
May your grace ever help and correct me,
and may I be strengthened now with wisdom from on high,
for the sake of your infinite mercy. Amen.
St Anthony of Padua
Almighty God, who on this day
didst open the way of eternal life
to every race and nation
by the promised gift of thy Holy Spirit:
Shed abroad this gift throughout the world
by the preaching of the Gospel,
that it may reach to the ends of the earth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth
with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(The Book of Common Prayer)
O God, who on this day
didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people
by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit:
Grant us by the same Spirit
to have a right judgment in all things,
and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort;
through the merits of Christ Jesus our Savior,
who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the same Spirit,
one God, world without end. Amen.
(The Book of Common Prayer)