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Pentecost, Prayer
and Power
Connect the Pentecost story (Acts
2:1–13) with three areas in which
we can be a blessing to one another
and to our community: women’s
health, violence against women, and
clearing the “red tape” that keeps
people from being fully empowered.
Scripture and reflection
Leader: Good [morning/afternoon/evening], and welcome!
We will begin our program on Pentecost, prayer and
power with a reading from Acts of the Apostles.
Reader 1: Acts 1:1–8
Leader: Let’s consider the latter part of the passage
[reader’s name] just read for us. After the resurrection,
the disciples had been told to stay in Jerusalem and
that they would be “baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Not
understanding what this meant, they asked, “Will you
restore the kingdom of Israel then? Will things go back to
what they were?” To which Jesus said, “It is not for you
to know.” Not exactly what the disciples wanted to hear.
Then comes a promise and an expanded call—to global
mission: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit
has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of
the earth.”
Can you imagine packing your bags for that trip, all the
time wondering what this “power” would amount to?
You and I are in somewhat the same place today. We live
in a time of great change and fear and are not sure what
to do next. We do a lot of waiting. We have conversations
like the disciples had: When will things get back to
normal—whatever normal means to us? What are we
supposed to do?
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The disciples’ experience gives us some clues to
the answers to our questions. They were told to wait
in Jerusalem until the “power” came, but what is
most interesting is that they were told to remain in
Jerusalem together. Why? Because there is support in
community in times of change and uncertainty. God
has given us to each other for mutual support.
The disciples also modeled for us one powerful way
in which this support happens: through continuous
prayer. Prayer is a great gift to one’s self and to the
community.
Power through prayer
With this reminder of the need for prayer and its
power, we can lift up three areas in which Women of
the ELCA can be a blessing to one another and to the
community. Those areas are women’s health, violence
against women, and clearing the “red tape” that keeps
people from being fully empowered.
(If you have not already passed out the handout,
which is the last page of this document, do so now.)
The handout you have outlines the three areas that
call for our prayer commitment. Later, you will
be asked to tear off one or more of the images at
the bottom symbolizing an area in need of prayer,
write your name on the back of it and put it in the
[basket] here on the table. Please note that for now,
you are being asked only to commit to prayer. The
“additional ministry options” can be considered at
another time and are merely suggestions should you
want to go further. Let’s review the three areas.
The first area, represented by a red heart, supports
Women of the ELCA’s health initiative, Raising
Up Healthy Women and Girls. The initiative is
grounded in the understanding that care of self
creates an important foundation for carrying out the
mission to which God has called us: the mission of
sharing the gospel.
The second area, represented by a red thread,
supports efforts to address violence against women.
During the Ecumenical Decade for Churches in
Solidarity with Women, the Red Thread Project
was a way to show support for efforts addressing
violence against women. Church members were
invited to tie a red thread around their left wrist as
a reminder that some among us are not living in
safety and that the global community also needs our
witness in the face of violence.
The third area, represented by red tape, reminds
us that huge numbers of people face seemingly
endless “red tape” and are frustrated in their efforts
to get help—including immigrants, people seeking
Pentecost, Prayer and Power
A resource from Women of the ELCA
How to Use This Resource
Use this program in a small group setting, in the
season of Pentecost or any time.
The leader should provide copies of the handout
to all participants, preferably in color. Select a few
participants to read the “reader” parts, and give
them copies of the entire program.
Set the seating in a circle, with a break for entering
and leaving every 5 or so chairs as the circle grows.
Place a small table in the center of the circle and
cover it with a red cloth. Place a bowl of water,
three tall, thick candles and a basket or some other
appropriate container on the table. Light the candles
at the start of the program. You might also want to
sprinkle construction-paper red flames around the
table (on top and on the floor).
If you are using this program in a retreat setting,
consider inviting an expert in each of the areas—
women’s health, domestic violence, and social
services—to give a presentation.
If you want to sing a hymn at the end of the offering,
place hymnals on the chairs ahead of time.
Participants will be asked to select one or more
of the three areas to pray for, write their name on
an image and place it in the basket. At this time,
participants are asked only to commit to prayer in the
area(s) they select.
Later, leaders can invite one woman from each of the
red heart, red thread and red tape groups to convene
their group. The convener’s goals will be to help
participants (1) get to know one another, (2) discuss
their experience praying for the area they selected,
and (3) discuss the “additional ministry options” on
their handouts and discern whether they will follow
up on one or more of these options. If so, the follow-
up could be done as a program option for your entire
women’s group.
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asylum in the United States, women and children
living in poverty, those dealing with foreclosure and
homelessness, older adults without family members
who can help them and those who are struggling to
get back on their feet following a disaster, to name
some. “Red tape”—our term for those things that
stand in the way of getting something done—keeps
people from living fully.
Scripture and reflection
That’s a lot of need, you might be thinking. Indeed it
is. Like the first disciples whose witness territory was
expanded from Jerusalem to “the ends of the earth,”
ours too is a global mission. We know we are part of
a global community, connected through technology,
commerce and more. Like the first disciples, we
need to hear again how we are to carry out this global
ministry. Listen as [person’s name] reads from Acts 2.
Reader 2: Acts 2:1–4
Leader: In the midst of all our questions, God
continues to give us the answer: The Holy Spirit
empowers us to carry out what we are called to do,
here and throughout the world. Maybe the “new
tongue” we have to learn is relying on the Spirit to
teach us to pray. Perhaps we need to be reminded
that through our baptism, God has given us the power
to witness. And maybe we need to be more attuned
to the issues we are praying about so that our prayer
can be better focused.
As you take on this request to remain steadfast
in prayer while awaiting God’s direction for the
future, you are equipped with the power of the Holy
Spirit. You are able to boldly bring yourself and the
community, whatever the need, to God in prayer
with the assurance that the prayers of the righteous,
those whom God has redeemed, are heard.
I invite you now to take a moment in silent prayer
to consider which of the three areas of prayer you
will remain steadfast in this year. Then tear off the
image representing one or more areas and write your
name on the back. When you are ready, place them
in the [basket]. Then dip your fingers into the water
and make the sign of the cross on your forehead as a
reminder of your baptism in the name of the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that empowers
you for this ministry of prayer.
(Play a Pentecost hymn in the background during
the offering. Give enough time for all to return to
their seats, and then continue.)
Closing prayer
Leader: Let us pray. Most gracious God, we praise
you for the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives so
that we may give witness to the life-giving work of
Jesus, our Redeemer. You have blessed our lives
with the gospel and you give us to one another in
community for mutual support. Receive our offerings
as gifts of grateful hearts. Bless us with the power of
your presence and the presence of your power as we
commit to intentional prayer. Where we are fearful,
give us peace; where we are complacent, show us the
realities; when we are unsure how to pray, teach us;
and when we have answered, let us rejoice in your
mercy, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Thank you for your commitment to prayer. God bless
you with God’s power in all you need to be faithful in
your commitment.
(If desired, sing a closing hymn.)
Pentecost, Prayer and Power
A resource from Women of the ELCA
Copyright © 2010 Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America. Written by Bonnie Belasic. All rights reserved. May
be reproduced for use in Women of the ELCA units, clusters/
conferences, and synodical women’s organizations provided each
copy is reproduced in its entirety, unless otherwise indicated by the
material, and carries this copyright notice. Please direct all other
requests for permission to reproduce to [email protected].
Women of the ELCA resources, such
as this one, are available free to individuals,
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ELCA, you will help us continue and expand
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ELCA, ELCA Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box
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Did you know?
The story of Pentecost is the story of God giving the
disciples the power to be witnesses. God gave them
what they needed to carry out their mission.
You too are equipped with the power of the Holy
Spirit. In the light of Pentecost, you are asked to
commit to praying for those who need empowerment
in the areas of health, violence and working through
systems that limit empowerment.
As you engage in prayer you may experience growth
in your prayer life, new awareness of needs and how
to meet them and perhaps even a call to a new area
in which God wants you to use your gifts. Go with it.
Rejoice in God’s gifts. Listen for God’s direction.
If you find that you want to do more than pray, consider
one or more of the additional ministry options.
On this page are three areas that need your prayers.
Choose one or more, and then tear off the image at
the bottom that depicts the prayer need and write
your name on the back. Place it in the basket at the
appropriate time.
q Yes! I will pray for the health of women and girls so
that we are able to carry out God’s call to mission
in the world.
Additional ministry options:
• Promote the Raising Up Healthy Women and
Girls initiative in your congregation. Visit www.
womenoftheelca.org.
• Host a Healthy Heart Fair in your congregation.
Visit www.womenoftheelca.org.
• Start one or more health activity groups for
women and girls in your congregation: biking,
bowling, walking and so forth. Invite young
women and girls to be part of the planning for
these intergenerational groups.
q Yes! I will pray for victims and perpetrators
of violence against women.
Additional ministry options:
• Hold a forum on domestic violence. October is
Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Distribute
red threads with information on the reason for
wearing it on one’s wrist.
• Check with local women’s shelters to see what
their needs are, and if you can help meet them,
organize to do so. Meet the women, too.
• Provide education on handling conflict and where
to call for help if being domestically abused.
Place phone numbers in your church rest rooms,
on bulletin boards and in articles for your
congregation’s newsletter.
q Yes! I will pray for those who, facing endless “red
tape,” are frustrated in their efforts to get help:
immigrants, people seeking asylum in the United
States, women and children living in poverty, those
dealing with foreclosure and homelessness, older
adults without family members who can help them
and those who are struggling to get back on their
feet following a disaster, to name some.
Additional ministry options:
• Talk with social service agencies and your
community’s health and human services
department to determine the needs of people in
your area working through forms and processes.
See what you can do to help alleviate the
frustration by volunteering to be available to
anyone who needs your help.
• Where you see a pattern of frustration, write
your legislators or agency leadership, sharing
what you’ve seen and requesting changes in the
system to benefit the person in need of help.
Pentecost, Prayer and Power
Pentecost, Prayer and Power Handout
