Over 300 prayer events took place in Church of England churches across north west Kent, Medway and the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley, as part of Thy Kingdom Come (TKC) - a global movement of prayer which begins today 10 May, and runs until 20 May.
It marks the traditional period between Ascension Day and Pentecost.
An initiative of the Archbishops’ of Canterbury and York, Thy Kingdom Come invites people to take-up the Pledge2Pray challenge, asking them to pray for five people they know to come to faith, as well as for the transformation of communities.
Canon Rachel Phillips, Canon for Mission and Growth at Rochester Cathedral, who helped coordinating TKC events across the Diocese, said that the range and number of events had been very exciting:
“We had everything from prayer walks to quiet days, prayer workshops introducing people to new forms of prayer, as well as 24/7 prayer rooms. There were traditional as well as creative expressions of prayer, and prayer events that brought different denominations and traditions together.
“It was great to see people from across our churches getting involved simply to pray, Thy Kingdom Come.”
During the 10 days, Rochester Cathedral itself became a giant visual prayer for the Diocese, with prayers and displays from across church communities, encouraging everyone to pray for the growth of God’s kingdom throughout the region.
As part of his May video message, the Rt Rev James Langstaff, Bishop of Rochester, encouraged people to take part, while reflecting on what people might mean and hope for when they pray, ‘Thy Kingdom Come’:
"The prayer for God’s Kingdom to come is the prayer for nothing less than the transformation of all things in Christ; the coming of that which is God’s ultimate intention and purpose for creation and for humankind.
"It is also, more explicitly of course, that people may consciously become part of the life of the kingdom as they respond in faith to God’s grace in Jesus Christ - and that’s a particular emphasis of the archbishops’ Thy Kingdom Come’ initiative.”
Local TKC Champions galvanized support across the churches. With activities including:
- A Prayer Posada, at St. Mary’s Church Riverhead in Sevenoaks, where participants prayed for family and friends living abroad who are not church members and for the people of those countries.
- Prayer on the street at Chatham Bus station with members of St. John’s Church, Chatham
- A prayer labyrinth with accompanying meditation booklet at St. George’s Beckenham