Prayer Tip--Acts of the Holy Spirit
Daily Scripture
Acts 1:7-8, Acts 2:1-4 (NRSV)
He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
I’ve always wanted to learn to speak a new language. I’m in awe of how the bilingual and multilingual people I’ve met can seamlessly process something spoken to them in one language and respond in another. When I’ve visited overseas, these individuals have been a blessing to me as I struggled to communicate about even the most basic things. Despite my frustration with the language barrier, I was often uplifted by a smile or chuckle that conveyed a friendly thought, even when we couldn’t discuss the simplest of topics.
Those who witnessed the Holy Spirit’s arrival on the day of Pentecost experienced something powerful: people who had gathered from all over the known world were able to communicate with one another. It was a miracle that fostered the spread of the Gospel of Jesus and His love.
Whether you speak more than one language or, like me, are doing well to speak just one, the Holy Spirit often breaks through the barriers of our world with a message of hope. The Holy Spirit is God’s presence in the world, moving and breathing among us. It has a special way of breaking into our lives at just the right time, often opening our minds and clearing a path so we can share God’s love with others. Consider asking God in your devotional time today to give you a fresh sense of the Holy Spirit’s work in your life and in the world, and then look for God’s presence in surprising ways.
Prayer
GPS Insights
Michael Dunlap
This week's prayer tip is by Michael Dunlap who serves as the Director of Funerals at Resurrection. Michael enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and reading about history.
