Tuesday April 26, 2022

Today is Tuesday, April 26 and we are exploring what the bible says about the work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification.

As I begin this time of prayer, I pause and become still. I breathe slowly and deeply and center myself upon the triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Father God, open my heart and enlighten my mind as I search your holy word. Lord Jesus, open the scriptures to me and reveal your truths. Come, Holy Spirit, be my helper and guide as I seek to grow in Christian maturity. Amen.

I rejoice in God’s steadfast love and faithful presence with the words of Psalm 139.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10

Pause and Pray

After Jesus washes his disciples’ feet and sits at table with them over the Passover meal, he leaves them with his parting words. Recorded in the gospel of John chapters 13-17 is what is known as the Farewell Discourse. In this speech, Jesus provides comfort for their fears, eases their growing anxiety and prepares them for what is about to happen. After his departure, he promises to send them an advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will remind them of all he said, lead them to pray, empower them for good works, console their sorrow, remove their fear and keep them connected to Christ the true vine. Jesus shared these words with his followers the night before he gave himself up for the world.

If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. John 14:15-20

In this season of Easter, I am reminded how much I love Jesus. I endeavor to follow him and keep his commands. I have a growing desire to know the presence of the Holy Spirit – my advocate, counselor and guide. He is the Spirit of truth who comes to help me, stay with me and be with me always. I yearn to see the Spirit and know him. I want the Spirit to live with me and be in me. The Bible says Jesus did not leave me orphaned, abandoned or alone, but comes to me again and again and tells me I can experience his real presence. Jesus lives. Jesus lives in me. Because Jesus lives, I also live. Jesus is in the Father and I am in Jesus and Jesus is in me. Thanks be to God for revealing this amazing truth through the gospel of John.

Ask: How have I experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit? How do I understand Jesus’ promise for the Spirit to dwell in me?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me and not abandoning me. I am grateful for the gift of the Holy Spirit and ask for the Paraclete to come and reside in the burrows of my heart. Jesus, I want to know you, I want to see you, I want to live because you live. You are in me and I am in you. Through your grace, I am a new creation transformed by your sacrificial love. I read your words from John again and listen for the message you have for me.

If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. John 14:15-20

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I repeat the word or phrase that stands out to me and record it in my journal. God wants to teach me something today about the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. Perhaps I need the Holy Spirit to enable me to keep the commands of Christ. Maybe I need the Holy Spirit to guide me into truth and reveal the surrounding lies of the enemy. Perhaps God wants me to identify the work of the Spirit, or appreciate the companionship of the Spirit. Maybe I have felt alone (orphaned) on my journey and the Spirit wants to come alongside me and walk with me. Perhaps God wants me to experience new depths of his love and oneness with Jesus.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, I open wide the doors of my heart and invite you in. Come like a fire and burn in me. Come like a wind and awaken me. Come like a river and pour into the cavernous depths of my longing soul. Come like a gentle rain and shower the sweetness of your love, joy, hope and peace. Come like a flame and empower me to do your will and good work in the world. Amen.

The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. Luke 24:49

I leave this time of prayer with a renewed awareness of the indwelling presence of God’s Holy Spirit. I leave empowered to love and serve others in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord.

Amen