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. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “‘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. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.’” Acts 2:14-18
Heavenly Father, every time I read this story it quickens an insatiable thirst in my soul. How I long to experience a fresh movement of your Spirit—to be among your sons and daughters when the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead, raises our dull, dry spirits unto fresh affections for You and your glory. Breath, upon us, O breath of God! Come, Holy Spirit, come with invigorating power! Spirit of Jesus, do in our hearts and midst what you alone can do!
Father, I know there needed to be only one Pentecost, but in light of that great historical event and in keeping with promises you have made, I plead with glad expectancy. So fill us with the Holy Spirit that onlookers will question our sobriety and sanity. Restore to us the joy of the salvation you have freely given us in Jesus. Fill our hearts and mouths with your praises. Forgive us for being satisfied with a correct theology of the Spirit, but with little evidence of the Spirit’s power and presence in our hearts and churches.
The last days began when you first sent Jesus into this world. Those days will only end when he returns to finish making all things new. Until then, you call us to be sons and daughters who show and tell the gospel through the power of the Spirit. What you command, you supply, Father.
If we ask you for a fish, you won’t give us a snake. If we ask you for an egg, you won’t give us a scorpion. If we ask you for the Holy Spirit, with confidence, we can anticipate that you will give us even more of the One with whom you have sealed us; through whom you indwell us; and by whom you are making us like Jesus. (Luke 11:11-13).
So we ask you, Father, give us the Spirit in abundance. We’re tired of playing church… being lukewarm… being petty… being bored and boring one another… being more preoccupied with our little stories of personal peace and affluence than with Your cosmic story of reconciliation and restoration. So very Amen, we pray, in Jesus’ powerful and loving name.
