Come, Holy Spirit!
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He commanded his apostles to “wait for the promise of the Father” in Jerusalem (Acts 1:4-5). Nine days later the apostles celebrated the Jewish feast of Pentecost, and God fulfilled his promise by sending the Holy Spirit.
It was the first “novena.”
In a unique way, we can imitate their example and join them in the Upper Room, waiting for the Advocate to come. We can prepare our hearts for the coming of the Holy Spirit and kindle a fire within us that God can set ablaze.
How? Through prayer of course! And the Word of God gives us the very words we need.
Prayer for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
(Scriptural)
Lord Jesus,
I come before You in praise, worship and adoration.
Thank you for Your great love for me and Your mercy, for You brought me to life with You even though I am a sinner, and You have enthroned me with You in the Heavens (Eph 2:4-6).
Lord, You promised us another gift – the gift of the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in Your name, to teach us everything and remind us of all You have said to us (John 14:26).
So I pray, Lord Jesus, that You empower me in and with the Holy Spirit just as You empowered Your disciples on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2).
I pray that from the riches of Your glory, through your Spirit, that I be strengthened with power in my inner being, and that You, Lord, may dwell in my heart through faith (Eph 3:16-17).
I pray that rooted and grounded in Love, I may a little more comprehend with all the saints its breadth and length and height and depth – and know Your Love which surpasses knowledge- so that I may be filled with all the fullness of God our Father (Eph 3: 18-19).
Lord Jesus, bathe me with the fire of your Love!
Grant that I may receive power when the Holy Spirit renews me – only then can I be your witness to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
Unleash and awaken in me the sanctification gifts (Isaiah 12:2) – wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord. I need these gifts to grow as your disciple.
Release the manifestation gifts of the Holy Spirit, Lord (1 Corinthians 12) – I need them to witness to a hurting world, for cut off from You, I can do nothing (John 15:5).
Above all, grace me with the greatest gift of all – Love (1 Corinthians 13:13).
Melt me, mould me, fill me, use me to reveal Your love and mercy to others.
Work in me in a powerful way, Lord, so that the purpose you have for my life may be fulfilled.
I make this prayer, in your Name.
Amen
Written and compiled by Cheryl Sim
Source : The Holy Bible, ESV-CE