Over the 27 years of his ministry, Arnold Ruddat, a long-time Lutheran pastor in the United States, wrote many prayers for worship – among them, numerous prayers for Pentecost. Ruddat died from cancer at the age of 53, but many of his prayers (and other resources) have been preserved on the Arnold Ruddat’s Library website. Here are a number of prayers he wrote for Pentecost.
Pentecost Prayers
Holy Ghost, teach us to know Jesus so that through him we may know the Father. Speak inside us as we hear the Word, and reassure us that we are God’s children and heirs. Pray for us when we do not know what to pray for. Give us the gifts Jesus won for us, for without your gifts the church cannot survive. Above all, increase our faith, dear Spirit. We ask this in Jesus’ name, who lives and reigns with you and the Father, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Dear God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the miracle of Pentecost. You sent the promised Spirit to the disciples that day, the birthday of your Christian church. Faithful and fearless witness was heard around the world throughout the generations of man since that day. It has accomplished your will and brought many, including us, to know and love Jesus as Savior. Continue to send the Holy Spirit into our hearts that we may continue to spread the good news of total forgiveness and salvation through faith in Jesus. In his name we pray, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, through all eternity. Amen.
Holy Spirit, we pray you that you would fill our hearts with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Renew us and kindle the fire of faith brightly within us. Make us bold witnesses to the truth of the Holy Scriptures which you inspired. Assist us in our prayers, that they may be acceptable to our heavenly Father, who with you and Jesus Christ are one God, one Lord, now and forever. Amen.
O Holy Spirit, on that first Pentecost Sunday you came upon your people, granting them your special gifts. Through the work you empowered them to do, souls were saved and the name of Christ glorified. Today we pray that you would also continue to enter our hearts. Fill us with strong faith in Jesus and a firm desire to please you with godly works. Use us to accomplish your saving will for the society in which we live to the praise of Jesus, who lives and rules with you and the Father, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Pour out your Holy Spirit, Lord, on us. May we together with all believers, be filled with awe at what the crucified, risen, and ascended Savior has accomplished for our fallen world. May we be inflamed to speak and live as those in whom the Spirit lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, through all eternity. Amen.
— written by Arnold Ruddat
For more worship resources for Pentecost, click on Pentecost in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.