A Prayer For God's Spirit To Renew Us On This Pentecost Sunday

 Well, if you have been around churches for very long, particularly those who mark the year with what we call “The Church Calendar” then you will know that today is Pentecost Sunday.  50 days after Easter where we celebrate how God sent His Holy Spirit and filled the followers of Jesus, just like Jesus had promised them.

Here’s the story of that promise from the book of Acts in the Bible

Before he was taken up, he [Jesus] gave instructions by the power of the Holy Spirit to the men he had chosen as his apostles. For forty days after his death he appeared to them many times in ways that proved beyond doubt that he was alive. They saw him, and he talked with them about the Kingdom of God. And when they came together, he gave them this order: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised. Acts 1:1-4

But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After saying this, he was taken up to heaven as they watched him, and a cloud hid him from their sight.  Acts 1:8-9

Well, then just a few days later here’s what happened:

When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.  Acts 2:1-4

From that day until now, God has been pouring His Spirit into the hearts and lives of those who welcome Him.  He wants to give us wisdom, power, courage, and the ability to share the Good News of God’s love for us around the world.  We read that in those first verses when Jesus promised us his Spirit.

When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  Acts1:8

So with Christians around the world we open our hearts today and pray for God’s Spirit to be poured out in us and flow through us more than ever before.

Loving God, on this Pentecost Sunday, we ask that You breathe on us once again. Make our consciences tender to Your touch. We hunger for the life-changing power that Your Holy Spirit brings. May our lives exemplify the fruit of Your Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. May we use the gifts of the Spirit that You have distributed to bless the church and build Your Kingdom on earth. Amen.

God, you have created all that is. Send forth your Spirit to renew and restore us.  You gave us the abiding presence of your Holy Spirit. We ask for His empowering today so we may confess Christ as Lord in ways and words that all will understand and believe.  Combine our diverse gifts with a singular passion to continue Your mission in this world until we join in your eternal praise in heaven.

Let's end with a little responsive Psalm prayer from Psalm 104:

Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD, my God, you are great indeed! How manifold are your works, O LORD! The earth is full of your creatures.

Response: Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

If you take away their breath, they perish and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.

Response: Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD be glad in his works! Pleasing to him be my theme; I will be glad in the LORD.

Response: Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.