Today’s Theme for Prayer – God Chooses to Make Me
Acts 2:1-21
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” They were all astounded and bewildered, and said to one another, “What does this mean?” But others said, scoffing, “They have had too much new wine.” Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, “You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. These people are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘It will come to pass in the last days,’ God says, that I will pour out a portion of my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. Indeed, upon my servants and my handmaids I will pour out a portion of my spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy. And I will work wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below: blood, fire, and a cloud of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and splendid day of the Lord, and it shall be that everyone shall be saved who calls on the name of the Lord.’
Grace Prayed For
Boldness: The disciples were initially fearful after Jesus’ death, but the Holy Spirit emboldened them to proclaim the Gospel. Pray for the grace to be bold in your own faith, to speak about Jesus and live your beliefs even when it’s difficult.
The Rushing Wind of Change
Close your eyes for a moment. Imagine the scene: a small group of people huddled together, hearts still heavy with the loss of their Lord. Suddenly, a sound like a violent wind fills the room, and tongues of fire dance above their heads. Fear gives way to awe as the Holy Spirit descends upon them, filling them with an undeniable power.
This is Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. It’s a moment of radical transformation, a divine outpouring that shatters boundaries and empowers ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Think about those first disciples. Just days before, they were hiding in fear, uncertain of the future. Now, they are bold, filled with the Spirit, speaking in languages they never learned, proclaiming the Good News to a bewildered crowd.
This same Spirit is alive in us today. It’s the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, the same love that binds us together as one body in Christ. It’s a wild, untamable force that can ignite our hearts and set our souls on fire.
But here’s the thing: the Spirit doesn’t always come with a loud roar. Sometimes, it’s a gentle whisper, a quiet nudge in the right direction. It might be a sudden wave of compassion, a deep longing for prayer, or an unexpected burst of courage.
The key is to be open, to listen for that still, small voice within. When we create space for the Spirit to move, we invite God to work wonders in our lives. We become vessels of His love, channels of His grace, and instruments of His peace.
So today, let us pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Let us ask for the courage to speak His truth, the compassion to love like He loves, and the wisdom to discern His will in all things.
Let us remember that we are not alone. We are part of a vast and vibrant community, united by the Spirit, empowered by the same love that first breathed life into the Church on that Pentecost morning.
Go out into the world, filled with the fire of the Spirit, and be the light that shines in the darkness. Be the love that heals the brokenhearted. Be the hope that guides us all to the fullness of life in Christ.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Experiencing the Spirit: The passage vividly describes the Holy Spirit’s presence. By reflecting on this scene and imagining yourself among the disciples, you can open yourself to a deeper experience of the Spirit in your own life. This personal encounter fosters intimacy with Jesus, as the Spirit is the living breath of God and the bond of love between the Father and the Son.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post