Faith@First - May 22, 2026 | Faith@First

Faith@First - May 22, 2026

Posted by Rev. Brittney Stephan on May 22, 2026

After spending the past week on a Civil Rights study trip journeying through New Orleans, Jackson, Selma, and Montgomery, I found myself approaching Pentecost differently this year. While looking out at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, I was struck by the weight of history, the ongoing reality of injustice, and the enduring courage of those who kept marching, singing, praying, and believing through it all. It was there that this prayer for Pentecost began to take shape.

May these words help us release what we cannot carry alone and open ourselves more fully to the movement of the Holy Spirit among us. I invite you to pray these words with me and to make room for whatever the Spirit may be stirring within your own heart in this season.

A Prayer for Pentecost

Spirit of the Living God, we’ve carried much too long, Holding burdens in trembling hands though we were made for song. We’ve worn exhaustion like armor, built walls around what’s inside, Yet deep within these weary souls, Your Spirit longs to rise.

Give us the courage to surrender, to open clenched hands wide, To trust Your Spirit’s leading more than all the ways we hide. Release what keeps us bound, so we can finally breathe, And let Your holy presence shape the people we can be.

For too long we’ve held our breath through grief and fear and pain, Forgetting that Your Spirit still brings life to us again. Let’s breathe in holy wonder and exhale what we can’t control, So the presence of Your Spirit moves freely through our souls.

Help us breathe more deeply and be filled with sacred flame, The breath that formed creation and called the earth by name. It stirred dry bones to life and filled the Upper Room with fire, Yet still revives the weary heart with hope that reaches higher.

In this Pentecost season, awaken us once more, Until the songs within us are all with one accord. Set our hearts to worship; for You, O God, we sing, With every voice touched by Your Spirit echoing freedom’s ring.

Keep the Faith@First,
Pastor Brittney

About the Author

Rev. Brittney Stephan

Rev. Brittney Stephan is an Indiana native and was called to ministry at 14 years of age while attending church camp at Epworth Forest. She is an ordained Elder in the Indiana Conference who currently serves in extension ministry as the Associate Director for Multi-Cultural Vibrancy for the Michigan Conference. She has received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Organizational Communication, and Peace & Conflict Studies from Butler University and a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary with a concentration in Liturgy & Music Across Cultures.

A third-generation Methodist, Brittney grew up on a dirt road outside of Huntington, Indiana. She has spent the last decade living in Indianapolis, Chicago, and currently Metro Detroit working in a variety of contexts for The United Methodist Church. Much of her work in the Michigan Conference has consisted of engaging individuals and teams alike to build our cultural proficiency in a way that moves us toward an anti-biased/anti-racist identity that seeks to diversify worship experiences and leadership as a collective whole. Previously, Brittney has served on staff at Huntington Evangelical UMC (Huntington, IN), Sherman UMC (Evanston, IL), Libertyville First UMC (Libertyville, IL), and Meridian Street UMC (Indianapolis, IN). She is passionate about equipping, engaging, and empowering local congregations to foster equitable communities of learning and discipleship.

She has spent time in Zimbabwe at Africa University, initiated a campus ministry at Butler University, and served as a youth leader for a number of years. Brittney’s leadership extends beyond the local church through her involvement in the launch of the new Junius B. Dotson Institute for Music & Worship in the Black Church & Beyond, serving on the Convocation Design Team for The Fellowship of Worship Artists, and on the advisory board with the Center for Congregational Song.