LCA International Mission have prepared a Devotional and Prayer guide to use during Pentecost (which begins on 8 June).

Acts 2 tells the story of Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs - people from all nations - hearing Galilean followers of Jesus tell of God’s great deeds of power.

Because while there may be one Gospel, the Holy Spirit reveals that Gospel through countless images, words, music and culture.

An electronic copy of the Prayer Guide is available to download from the LCA International Mission website.

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us (Psalm 67:1).

Read Psalm 67

What a beautiful psalm. As you read it, I hope you also enjoyed the first verse, harking back to the Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6 that we hear in our liturgy on Sundays: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you …’ In this, we ask for God’s grace, favour and blessing. It is precious to receive this.

For our final devotion this week, we will look at verse 1 of Psalm 67. ‘May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us.’ What is it to have God’s face shine upon us? What does this bring to your mind and heart?

To my mind, it offers delight in the language used (poetic), but to my heart, it offers more.

To my heart, this verse offers deep connection and comfort. I hope it also offers this to you.

‘May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us.’ In this, I seek his grace, peace and presence, but also all else given to me as God’s face shines on me – the latter is personal and particular to me as it may be for you also. What a blessing to have a God willing to make his face shine on us.

As we part for now, I will leave you with the words of Numbers 6:24–26 with my prayer that you know the blessings requested therein:

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance on you and give you peace.

Every blessing to you.

Gracious and loving God, thank you for all your blessings to us. Please help us see all the ways you show grace to us and be aware of your face shining on us as your beloved children. In the name of Christ, Amen.