The Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday in Whitsun or Pentecost Week are Ember Days. These days occurring four times a year are devoted to prayers for the church's ministry. After Pentecost, such prayers can emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit in calling and equipping the ministry. The first Pentecost empowered the body of disciples, especially the Apostles, to proclaim Christ's Gospel to the world. Likewise, we continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will call and inspire candidates for the ordained ministry and continue to bless the work of those who are already ordained.
The Collect for the Ember Days from the 1928 American Book of Common Prayer is especially appropriate this week:
O Almighty God, who hast committed to the hands of men the ministry of reconciliation; We humbly beseech thee, by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, to put it into the hearts of many to offer themselves for this ministry; that thereby mankind may be drawn to thy blessed kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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