Acts 1:3 NLT
'During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.'
Thursday 21 May 2020 is Ascension Day. It will conclude Jesus’ ministry on earth. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus will return to the side of his Father in heaven. For Jesus’ contemporaries, the number 40 was significant. Throughout scripture it represents both a long time as well as marking a period of trial. Moses and the Israelites were in the wilderness for 40 years, while Jesus, following his baptism, fasted for 40 days. As the product of 5 x 8, the number represented grace (signified by the number five) and new beginning or revival (signified by the number eight). Everything within Jesus’ life and ministry contains a clear meaning.
The disciples enjoyed 40 days of fellowship with the risen Christ. This dispelled any doubts they had about Jesus’ promise to return from the dead. It also introduced them to the reality of the clear mission purpose for their lives.
This year, 2020, marks Premier’s 25th birthday since launching as a medium wave Christian radio station broadcasting on low-power transmitters to the Greater London area. Since then Premier has grown and expanded its ministry, thanks to God’s provision of the prayerful and financial support of a growing company of faithful Christians. Deep foundations have been laid, yet the challenge remains of carrying the gospel to all nations in obedience to Jesus’ great command in Matthew 28. This year we shall take time over the nine-day period between the ascension and Pentecost to pray for Premier’s mission; to enable people to put their faith at the heart of daily life and to bring Christ to their communities.
The seed of the gospel cannot take root effectively until and unless it is bathed in prayer. As the Church we are all called to the work of faith-filled prayer, to call upon God to continue the work of mission throughout the world. This will become our focus for this period from the ascension to Pentecost.
QUESTION: How will you find time each day to join with us in prayer?
PRAYER: Thank you for the ministry of Premier over these past 25 years. Continue to guide and provide for this ministry, I pray.

Released on 19 May 2020