On the liturgical calendar of the church, today is Ascension Day, commemorating the day Jesus ascended into Heaven. Before He left them, Jesus told His disciples to stay in Jerusalem, and He would send the Holy Spirit to them. The disciples stayed in Jerusalem and prayed for the next ten days, until the day of Pentecost. At that time the Holy Spirit came down, appearing like tongues of fire over the disciples. Peter preached to the crowd, and each person heard the words in his own language, and three thousand people were baptized that day.
The Global Day of Prayer is Pentecost Sunday, May 19th. On that day, Christians around the world will come together in repentance and prayer. Like the disciples who prayed continuously from Jesus’ Ascension to the day of Pentecost, believers will pray for the ten days leading up to the Global Day of Prayer. If you would like to pray with a specific focus for each day, download the 10 Day Prayer Guide and join Christians everywhere in praying for the nations of the world.
O LORD, we beseech thee, mercifully hear our prayers, and spare all those who confess their sins unto thee; that they, whose consciences by sin are accused, by thy merciful pardon may be absolved; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
O MOST mighty God, and merciful Father, who hast compassion upon all men, and who wouldest not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his sin, and be saved; Mercifully forgive us our trespasses; receive and comfort us, who are grieved and wearied with the burden of our sins. Thy property is always to have mercy; to thee only it appertaineth to forgive sins. Spare us therefore, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed; enter not into judgment with thy servants; but so turn thine anger from us, who meekly acknowledge our transgressions, and truly repent us of our faults, and so make haste to help us in this world, that we may ever live with thee in the world to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
TURN thou us, O good Lord, and so shall we be turned. Be favourable, O Lord, Be favourable to thy people, Who turn to thee in weeping, fasting, and praying. For thou art a merciful God, Full of compassion, Long-suffering, and of great pity. Thou sparest when we deserve punishment, And in thy wrath thinkest upon mercy. Spare thy people, good Lord, spare them, And let not thine heritage be brought to confusion. Hear us, O Lord, for thy mercy is great, And after the multitude of thy mercies look upon us; Through the merits and mediation of thy blessed Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O GOD, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive; Receive our humble petitions; and though we be tied and bound with the chain of our sins, yet let the pitifulness of thy great mercy loose us; for the honour of Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Advocate. Amen.