As part of Thy Kingdom Come national wave of prayer between Ascension Day and Pentecost (8-15 May)  we will be leading prayer inspired by Houghton Rector, Apostle of the North, Bernard Gilpin (1517-1583) at Durham Cathedral on Friday 13 May, 8.00pm-9.30pm. Come and pray with us!

Friday 13 May
9.15am – 5.15pm

The Galilee Chapel – prayer space for Thy Kingdom Come – a special week of prayer, today’s focus is Bernard Gilpin, Apostle to the North.

8.00pm – 9.30pm 

The Gregory Chapel – a prayer gathering inspired by Bernard Gilpin, Apostle to the North.

Bernard Gilpin, known as The Apostle of the North, lived through the tumultuous and dangerous times of the sixteenth century Reformation. His early academic career was marked by the theological controversies of the time, but during the reign of Queen Elizabeth he became Rector of Houghton-le-Spring and for the next 26 years was known for his generosity, help for the poor, and his annual travel in the border area of England and Scotland where he endured hardship in order to preach the gospel and care for the people living in poverty. Following his example, we pray for the mission of the church in proclaiming the gospel and caring for people in need, especially in this North East region.

Lord God,
whose Son Jesus Christ loves the Church
and desires to present it holy and without stain:
we thank you for Bernard Gilpin, Apostle of the North,
and pray that like him we may show forth
integrity in the faith and purity of life;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.    Amen.