Plans for the eighth Thy Kingdom Come prayer initiative were unveiled at an online launch in February.

The annual movement for evangelisation, initiated by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in 2016, unites more than a million Christians worldwide during the period from Ascension to Pentecost (this year, May 18-28). In recent years, the Church of Scotland has encouraged members and congregations to take part.

This year’s sub theme, ‘Living the Kingdom’, invites articipants to go one step further – to go the extra mile - and to practically ‘love and serve thy neighbour’ or those being prayed for, as an intentional part of their involvement. This will also be reflected in the additional ways churches, families and individuals are invited to pray this year.

As in previous years of the movement, characterised by large gatherings and events, there is also a renewed call to encourage churches to gather (in-person) and collaborate ecumenically, where possible.

The Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, has written to all the Kirk’s ministers, inviting them and the congregations they serve to be part of the initiative. He said: “Thy Kingdom Come has grown into a movement which unites Christians from across different traditions to pray for family and friends, neighbours and colleagues to come to faith in Jesus Christ.”