Thy Kingdom Come is an ecumenical prayer movement for evangelisation, uniting Christians in nearly 90% of countries worldwide from the Ascension to Pentecost.
The aim for Thy Kingdom Come 2021, which is taking place from 13-23 May is to be a blessing and to serve the church where the need is greatest; by providing free, spiritually nourishing resources for all, to deepen and refresh their faith.
Now in its sixth year, Thy Kingdom Come has grown from an initial call to prayer from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to the Anglican Communion, to a worldwide ecumenical prayer movement uniting over a million Christians from across 85 different denominations and traditions.
Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, says ‘Thy Kingdom Come is about prayer: praying for those on our hearts, praying for those who don’t know Jesus – to find him, praying for our church as we seek to be simpler, humbler and bolder.’
The Cheeky Pandas
New resources for 2021 will include an 11-part children’s video series called Cheeky Pandas (seen in the picture) – packed with Bible stories, prayers, animation, worship songs and interviews with special guests including CTE Pentecostal President Pastor Agu Irukwu and his wife Shola (Jesus House), adventurer Bear Grylls, CBeebies presenter Gemma Hunt and Revd Nicky Gumbel (HTB and Alpha), to name a few.
The video series can be used as part of church at home, gathered church (online and offline) and in school assemblies. Episodes are accompanied by activity packs. And similar to last year, the series will be the main content in the Family Prayer Adventure Map and App.
For Youth
This year The Kingdom Come have teamed up with the Archbishop of York’s Youth Trust to produce 11 video reflections from influential young Christians for the daily themes of Thy Kingdom Come.
Voices include Guvna B, Pippa Baker (Catholic Charismatic Renewal, who has also written the CTE Reflection for May 2021), Jamie Jones-Buchanan (former professional Rugby player) and Elle Limebear (worship leader) to name a few.
Each video reflection includes an accompanying discussion plan which is suitable for use in colleges, youth groups or at home with friends.
And don’t miss the CAThedral Purr-suits escape room which has been developed by the team at Christ Church Winchester.
Other new resources
‘We Seek Your Kingdom’, a whole-life worship song to the tune of much-loved hymn ‘Abide With Me’, written by Noel Robinson, Andy Flannagan, and Graham Hunter.
Commissioned by LICC (The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity) and Thy Kingdom Come, it’s an encouragement and a call to action – a declaration that each of us can join in God’s kingdom work right where we are. And a prayer that through ordinary Christians like you and me, God would transform, revive, and heal our society.
This year’s Novena and the Prayer Journal, written by the Archbishop of York with the express intention of inspiring readers to re-encounter the love and joy found in Jesus Christ.
The award-winning Thy Kingdom Come app, available in nine languages, will for the first time, include audio content from 24/7 Prayer’s Lectio 365, with audio reflections from Pete Greig, Archbishop Justin and 24/7 Prayer GB UK Director, Carla Harding.
CTE President His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London said: ‘Thy Kingdom Come has become a platform for Churches across the breadth of the Christian family to stand and pray together, remembering the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit entered the Upper Room, empowering and enabling those present to become the Church. In that way we pray that the Holy Spirit continues to guide, inspire, empower and embolden us to speak into the world with the loving, prophetic, and hopeful voice that makes manifest the presence of God in our midst.’
CTE President Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, a long-time supporter of the campaign said: ‘The Feast of Pentecost, celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the Church, is a great moment for our prayer for the spreading of the Gospel of joy in our Lord Jesus Christ. The days of prayer of “Thy Kingdom Come” are a powerful invitation to that prayer. We may also remember the power of the Holy Spirit in the work of Creation, and so include in our prayers the responsibilities we bear for the created world at this significant time.
Explore the Thy Kingdom Come 2021 website for more details on this year’s plans.
Order resources for your church, including printed copies of the Prayer Journal and Prayer Adventure Map.
Watch the virtual launch event for TKC 2021