Prayers: 24th May 2026
The Day of Pentecost (Whitsunday)/Te Rā o te Petekoha
Taken from/inspired by Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:25-35,36b; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 20:19-23, and the ANZPB.
Bidding: Praise the Lord, my soul;
Response: Praise the Lord.
[from Psalm 104:35]
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
[Acts 2:1-4]
Let us pray.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
[1 Corinthians 12:4-6]
Lord Jesus, may our communities accept the gifts of your Spirit
and recognise them in one another.
[silence]
Bidding: Praise the Lord, my soul;
Response: Praise the Lord.
…this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
“‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.
[Acts 2:16-21]
We pray that the church, empowered by your Spirit,
Would be a sign of your Kingdom
[silence]
Bidding: Praise the Lord, my soul;
Response: Praise the Lord.
All creatures look to you
to give them their food at the proper time.
When you give it to them,
they gather it up;
when you open your hand,
they are satisfied with good things.
When you hide your face,
they are terrified;
when you take away their breath,
they die and return to the dust.
When you send your Spirit,
they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.
[Psalm 104:27-30]
Send your Spirit to renew creation, Lord.
[silence]
Bidding: Praise the Lord, my soul;
Response: Praise the Lord.
Father, you have filled your people with the Spirit who rested first on your Son and united us in your Church; open the channels for your Spirit that we may freely work together, and your kingdom and your rule increase; for the glory of your holy name.
Amen.
