Novena
Novena is an opportunity to pray with others for the nine days between Ascension Day and Pentecost.
These 9 days of prayer mirror the first followers of Christ who obeyed Jesus who told them to pray and wait for his Holy Spirit to empower them. You can receive the Novena prayers in our daily devotional e-send, Be Still and Know, sent every morning.
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. (Acts 1:14).
Day 1
Prayer for our families, friends and colleagues
Day 2
Prayer for young people known to us
Sunday – Day 3
Prayer for those who heal and care
Monday – Day 4
Prayer for those who teach and advise
Tuesday – Day 5
Prayer for those who govern
Wednesday – Day 6
Prayer for those who are disabled
Thursday – Day 7
Prayer for people seeking God
Friday – Day 8
Prayer for those who are weary and suffer
Saturday – Day 9
Prayer for those who are marginalised
What is a ‘Novena’?
Novena means nine days – it refers to the nine days between Ascension Day (Thursday 5th May 2016) and Pentecost (Sunday 15th May 2016) when the first disciples obeyed Jesus’ commandment to wait and pray for the Holy Spirit to come (Luke 24:49, Acts 2).
Why call this initiative a Novena, isn’t that a Roman Catholic tradition?
Premier is acknowledging the Roman Catholic practice of petitioning God for nine consecutive days. However its roots are firmly based in the first disciples as recorded by Luke in his gospel and Acts of the Apostles. Since we were borrowing this concept we felt it appropriate to use the word ‘Novena’ although the prayers have been deliberately written in a way that Christians from all denominations and traditions should feel comfortable with uniting together in.
Are you trying to promote a specifically Roman Catholic agenda?
Premier seeks to serve all of the church; we are not aiming to promote one way of thinking, one denomination or tradition over another. That said, when we borrow an idea we seek to give due credit, which is why we decided not to change the word ‘Novena’ which refers to the tradition which grew from before the church even began at Pentecost, when the earliest disciples gathered to pray and ask God for his presence and power. When the Holy Spirit came those fearful disciples were filled with power and boldness. Every Christian and all Churches of whatever tradition would also benefit from a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). We will serve God’s agenda and world by seeking to pray for marginalised people and serving them through acts of mercy.
In 2015 Premier organised its first Novena (nine days of prayer) which mobilised thousands to pray for different people groups in need.
Over the years, Premier has created several Novena resources and campaigns. Download from here prayers resources for marginalised people and from here Children’s and family prayer activities.