By Justin Rossow
In Acts 2, Peter says that the risen and ascended Christ has poured out the Spirit at Pentecost. In John 14, Jesus says he will ask, and the Father will send the Spirit. In John 20, Jesus breathes the Spirit on his disciples. In Luke 11, Jesus says the Father will give the Spirit to all those who ask.
In the Nicene Creed, we confess the Spirit who “proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified.” The Church throughout the ages has prayed and sung, “Come, Holy Spirit!” Jesus says, in John 3, that the Spirit is like the wind, and the wind blows wherever it wants.
One of the great mysteries of the Trinity is this: you cannot separate the Father, Son, and Spirit in their outward activity. You can say the Father raised Jesus from the dead, or the Spirit raised Jesus from the dead, or Jesus rose from the dead: all are equally true. You can say the Father sends the Spirit, the Son pours out the Spirit, or the Spirit blows like the wind: all are equally true.
Don’t let that mystery of the Trinity discourage or confuse your prayers! The point is this: the Spirit is sent to you; poured out on you; willingly comes to you!
Ask the Father to send the Spirit, and trust that the Father gives the Spirit to all who ask. Pray to Jesus to pour out his Spirit, and trust that Pentecost is still happening today. Invite the Spirit to blow into your heart, and watch the Spirit kindle faith, and trust, and dependence on Jesus.
Pray early and often for the Spirit. Pray to the Father. Pray to the Son. Pray to the Spirit. And trust the activity of the Trinity that brings the Spirit into your life.
Luke 11:13 (NIV)
How much more will your Father in heaven
give the Holy Spirit to those who ask!
PRAYER
Holy God, you made me your child in my baptism. You committed yourself to hearing my prayers. You promised to give your Holy Spirit to those who ask.
So I pray in confidence: Father, give me your Spirit! Jesus, pour out your Spirit on me! Come, Holy Spirit!
When guilt burdens my heart, Father, give me your Spirit! When I am under attack, Jesus, pour out your Spirit! When I seek to serve others, come, Holy Spirit!
When I encounter strangers, Father, give me your Spirit! When I go to rest, or work, or play, Jesus, pour out your Spirit!
Come, Holy Spirit! Do not leave me on my own to fend for myself, but bind me to the life, death, and resurrection of my Lord, Jesus Christ and bring me into his fellowship with the Father. Amen.
Editor’s Note: This devotion comes from Day 37 of Come, Holy Spirit: A Daily Discipleship Travel Log for Easter to Pentecost by Justin Rossow, available from Next Step Press.
You can start the Holy Spirit Social Learning Group at an time; podcast, blogs, artistic inspiration, and a place to share your thoughts adds to the experience of reading the book. Start Day 1 on any given Saturday and deepen your understanding of the Spirit’s work in your life to shape Jesus in you: https://www.facebook.com/groups/comeholyspirit.nsp.