spirit-filled
"If you, with all your sins, know how to give your children good things, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him." —Luke 11:13
Matthew wrote that, when we pray, we can be certain the Lord will give us good things (Mt 7:11). However, Luke promised we can be certain of receiving the Spirit when we pray (Lk 11:13). The Lord may be telling us to pray for the Spirit more than for the blessings of the Spirit.
Do you pray every day, several times a day: "Come Holy Spirit"? Do you ask for the gift of the Spirit to be stirred into flame in your life? (2 Tm 1:6) Have you or would you devote yourself for nine days to pray for the Spirit, as the disciples did at the first Pentecost? (Acts 1:14)
The Holy Spirit wants to make us His temples more than we can ever imagine, but will not come to us and fill us without our invitation. We must ask to receive the life in the Spirit (Lk 11:9). Pray for the Spirit. Pray to repent of stifling the Spirit (1 Thes 5:19). Pray to persevere in praying for the Spirit. Pray nine days for the Spirit, as at the first Pentecost. "Come, Holy Spirit."
Prayer: Father, may I pray for the Spirit until I receive a new Pentecost.
Promise: "In baptism you were not only buried with Him but also raised to life with Him because you believed in the power of God Who raised Him from the dead." —Col 2:12
Praise: Praise You, risen Jesus, Baptizer in the Holy Spirit (Mk 1:8). Thank You for pouring out the Spirit on us without measure (Jn 3:34). Alleluia!
Reference: (It is always the right time for a new Pentecost. Order our leaflet Pentecost Novena or our tape on audio AV 103-1 or video V-103.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 29, 2009
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