Holy God, in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – on this Pentecost Sunday, we pray,

“Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.”

On this day, we celebrate your Holy Spirit, poured out upon all flesh: reminding us of your individual love and care for every single person; each made, uniquely, in your own image and likeness.

On this day, we recall the Apostles, empowered by your Spirit to preach the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in diverse languages for diverse peoples.

On this day, we remember the same Spirit-anointing, first given to the Prophets of old, given now to all, to speak your prophetic Word against the World’s injustice.

On this day, we remember the transformation of the Apostles – from fearful and uncertain cowards, to bold and courageous leaders; empowered to carry your Gospel into an unknown world, filled with risks and dangers; preaching a message of healing for all people; tearing down the historic divides between men and women, slave and free, inside and outsider, clean and unclean, neighbor and stranger; a Gospel for every tribe, every language, every nationality under heaven.

On this day, we are challenged by the radical turning of Jesus’ followers; from inward self-protection and preservation, to outward-focused mission for the needs of the world.

How different that day of Pentecost was than this day…

• When the lives of Ahmaud Aubrey, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and those of so many other people of color, are treated as worthless, expendable…
• When we continue to be divided by class, color, nationality, and language…
• When human rights and needs are trumped by the demand for personal rights – and when those rights are distributed unequally and unfairly…
• When the need for a prophetic word, for a more just word, is needed now, more than ever…
• When fear has driven us apart…
• When the demands for personal wants are so easily confused with actual human needs…

We need a fresh outpouring of your Holy Spirit, this day…

• To comfort those who are hurting, especially the families of Ahmaud Aubrey, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and communities of color,
• To direct the destructive outrage of protestors toward more constructive prophetic action,
• To fill our leaders with your guiding wisdom and discernment,
• To heal the sick,
• To give us new life and boldness to be the church and to your work in this broken world.

Send your Spirt upon all of us this day, we pray.

“O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations.”

Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.