How you can pray at PentecostTandia Hughes - 12 Apr 2016

“Our prayer rooms should only be the beginning…”

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place…”

-Acts 2:1

At Pentecost, The Holy Spirit came and met with the disciples in a room. There was nothing special about this room; it wasn’t specifically set aside to meet with God; it was just like any other. We need to remember that the Holy Spirit can meet with us, and others, anywhere.

Pentecost is next month - a key time to think about reaching out to our community, letting them know of the unconditional love God has for all of us. Our prayer rooms should only be the beginning: a space for us to pray and listen to what God has to say, before we go out into the world.

Remember that prayer rooms aren’t about the fairy lights and shiny fabric, but how we meet with God in that space. Don’t worry if your prayer room is simple; or doesn’t have lots of materials; your conversation and prayers with God are what matters.

PRAY CONTINUOUSLY

The disciples were together in a room like any other; this is where they joined together in prayer. Are we praying continuously? Do we join together in prayer enough?

Encourage those in your community to come as a group to your prayer room; there is power in praying together. Have specific slots set out for families and children; small groups or friendship groups.

 “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.”

-Acts 2:3

We are chosen and unique to God, we should treasure and grow our relationship with him through the Holy Spirit.

PRAY PERSONALLY

Design a simple flame template and place tissue paper on the flame (Red, Orange and Yellow) to represent growing the Holy Spirit inside each one of us. Pray for three things  (one for each colour): strength in our faith, courage in showing our faith to others, and commitment to seeking and learning more about God.  Ask God to meet with you, and seek to use your gifts for the work of God.

“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

-Acts 1:8

The disciples were called out after their Pentecost experience. How can you bless other people? How can you pass God’s word to them? We’re called to to be God’s witnesses and tell others of him.

PRAY OUTWARDLY

Take a circle of paper and cut it into a spiral and in it write names of people you want to come to know God along the spiral.

You could pray for your community; the people who come to your community projects; those who live in your local area.

Why not pray for your country? Pray for the government; for changes that are being made; for wisdom and guidance in making faithful decisions.

Pray for places where there is war and hurt. How can we reach out to them? How can we teach them the gospel from where we are?

Once you’ve finished writing on the spirals, hang from coloured ribbons or streamers.
 

These prayer ideas have been inspired for Thy Kingdom Come, a week of 24-7 Prayer over pentecost. Find out more: thykingdomcome.global

Already signed up to Thy Kingdom Come? Register your prayer room and receive access to more resources and additional 24-7 Prayer support. 

Photo used with permission from Christ Church Abingdon