This year sees the 10th anniversary of Thy Kingdom Come, a prayer movement launched by the archbishops of Canterbury and York 10 years ago. Since its launch, Christians in 172 countries now participate and more than 85 denominations are involved. Thy Kingdom Come is truly global in its reach!

Thy Kingdom Comes focuses on the 10 days between Ascension Day and our celebration of Pentecost. Think back to the story of the disciples after Easter, waiting patiently in Jerusalem, full of expectation and anticipation, for the gift of the Spirit which Jesus had promised. If they were honest, it was all a bit frightening as they didn’t quite know what the gift would involve. They may not have realised what the impact of the Spirit would be – for them all it would be a costly gift involving the giving of their own lives in witness to the risen Jesus - yet they waited in obedience to Jesus’ instructions.

This year the focus is on the words of the Lord’s Prayer, the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to pray and which we pray in every act of Anglican public worship. The published materials say: ‘the prayer Jesus taught us transcends the ages, uniting people across different denominations, generations, and nations. We believe that now, more than ever, we need to pray Thy Kingdom Come over our homes, communities, nations, and our world.’

The resources include reflections on the Lord’s Prayer from a range of different voices from across the world to help us experience something new in a prayer that many of us are familiar with. 

Thy Kingdom Come has travelled a long way in 10 years. Let’s engage with it this year and become part of the story with global Christians. Let’s enter the hope and expectation that the first disciples experienced in those days before the first Pentecost in Jerusalem. Let’s create an opportunity every day in the 10 days between the Ascension of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit, to notice where God is active in the world, in the church and in our own lives, and to commit ourselves to cooperate with God’s work. 

 Why not visit thykingdomcom.global and see how you can get involved in your parish? There are resources to help the Church pray and especially there is an encouragement to pray for individuals close to us. We are encouraged to pray for five people each that we with them may know the gift of God’s Spirit in their daily lives. 

On Friday, 30 May, from 7pm to 10pm, Derby Cathedral is holding a prayer vigil for Thy Kingdom Come to which all are invited. Why not hold a vigil in your parish church and open your own parish community to the growing involvement in Thy Kingdom Come?

The Very Revd Dr Peter Robinson Dean of Derby