{"id":5453,"date":"2014-06-08T13:16:47","date_gmt":"2014-06-08T17:16:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/christcommunitychurch.com\/blog\/?p=5453"},"modified":"2014-06-08T13:23:45","modified_gmt":"2014-06-08T17:23:45","slug":"a-pentecostals-prayer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/christcommunitychurch.com\/blog\/2014\/06\/08\/a-pentecostals-prayer\/","title":{"rendered":"A Pentecostal Prayer"},"content":{"rendered":"

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When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4
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\nDear heavenly Father, on this Pentecost Sunday, we praise you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, whose ministries are as multiple as they are magnificent. Though invisible, the evidence of his work is everywhere.<\/p>\n

It is only by your Spirit that we even believe the gospel. He convicted us of our sins, gave us eyes to see Jesus and faith to trust him. Indeed, by the Spirit, we\u2019ve been born again, and are no longer dead in our sins and trespasses. Father, we praise you for the new birth and new life in Jesus. And yet there\u2019s so much more for which to be grateful.<\/p>\n

By the Spirit, you sealed us forever as your beloved people. He\u2019s the firstfruits of our final redemption\u2014the guarantee that one Day we\u2019ll live with the whole family of God, in the new heaven and new earth. He\u2019s the wedding ring wrapped around our hearts\u2014the sign and security of our betrothal to Jesus\u2014our loving Bridegroom.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s by the Spirit we hear you telling us we\u2019re your beloved children\u2014guiltless and condemnation free. Through the Spirit we learn more of the glory and grace of Jesus, for he is constantly drawing attention to our Savior. And by the Spirit\u2019s power, we\u2019re enabled to put to death everything in us that contradicts the gospel. Oh, the peace we have knowing the Spirit is making us more and more like Jesus\u2014for it wouldn\u2019t happen otherwise.<\/p>\n

We can pray and worship you acceptably, Father, only through the Spirit; and we\u2019re comforted to know he ceaselessly prays inside of us\u2014even when we\u2019re too distracted, or too broken, to pray. And through the Spirit, you\u2019ve gifted for service and empowered for mission. Hallelujah, many times over.<\/p>\n

Father, on this Pentecost Sunday, we hear afresh your command that we be filled with the Spirit. So may it be, to your glory and our growth. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus\u2019 exalted and loving name. — Scotty Smith<\/p>\n