Pentecostal Prayer

This devotional is written by Charlotte Anderson. Charlotte has done any amazing job getting everything together for Thy Kingdom Come, thank you Charlotte.

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them...

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 "'In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy...'

36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah." 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do? 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Lockdown has been a multifaceted beast hasn't it! Yet, in some ways I feel like this slowing down allows for an even greater appreciation of this part of the biblical story. In Acts 1 Jesus says "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptised with water, but in a few days, you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit." So in the 9 days between ascension and Pentecost the disciples waited. Just like them we wait, many of us shut up in our houses following the ‘stay home' rule, waiting for something to happen. Knowing that that we need God to move.

Yet as the disciples waited and prayed together the Spirit came and filled them with power. From this one moment, longed for by spiritual giants like Moses and David, waited for for generations our world was transformed forever.

Over this week of prayer, I urge you to seek God with determination, be extravagant in the giving of your time. As you seek him he promises you will find him, he promises you the gift of his Spirit. It is through being filled up with the Holy Spirit we can do all the things we are called to. As Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit 3000 people became Christians in one day. What does he want to do through you? Each of us has a calling and a purpose in our lives, what does God want to say to you today, this week?

Take some time to reflect on these questions.

We are filled with the Spirit so we can give it away. We are each uniquely made with different gifts and passions. What are yours? Where do you want to see God breaking in with his transformative power? What area do you want God to break your heart for? We are called beyond the walls of the church and out into the world and I encourage you to attend the lunchtime session praying for your industry. Join the sessions praying for the things you care about, be that praying for our world or our local community. Make yourself available to God and he will use you.