07/02/2017
Last year more than 100,000 people joined with the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to pray in the 10 days between Ascension and Pentecost.
This year, even more are expected to join in.
In a new video launched today, the Archbishop talks about his faith, why he’s a Christian and why he is asking Christians around the world to join him in praying for more people to know Jesus Christ.
He encourages Christians to #Pledge2Pray, and unite with thousands of others in praying for people to come to faith
In the video, Archbishop Justin Welby says: “Jesus prayed at the Last Supper that we, those who follow him, might ‘be one that the world might believe’. We are invited to make a lasting difference in our nations and in our world, by responding to his call to find a deep unity of purpose in prayer.”
He says people can pray in whatever way they choose, wherever they are.
“It’s not a Church of England thing, it’s not an Anglican thing, it’s a Christian thing.”
Emma Buchan, project leader for the Archbishop’s Evangelism Taskforce, who heads up Thy Kingdom Come, says: “The global response to the campaign this year has been overwhelming. We’ve heard from churches across the world, including different denominations and traditions, who are all pledging to get involved from South Africa to Canada and from the Brazil to Hong Kong. Each place is organising the time in their own way, for example in Hong Kong they are planning big celebrations in the cathedrals and establishing a network of ‘prayer warriors’. That’s the beauty of Thy Kingdom Come.”
Emma explained, “We’re hoping people will be inspired to take part and be catalysts for setting up prayer events in their local area. Last year Thy Kingdom Come gave people time and space outside their normal worshipping patterns to come closer to God and we heard many stories of the deep impact it had on people’s lives. Our new website has a wide range of resources for everyone which includes ideas on prayer stations, prayer walks, finding fun and creative ways of praying together as a family. We also have Novena prayer booklets and liturgy for a range of traditions.”