Today we celebrate Pentecost! We remember all that the Lord has done, and we ask Him to do even more.

Take time to prayerfully reflect on Pentecost by reading Acts 2:1–4:

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Have you experienced the Holy Spirit moving powerfully in your life? Take a moment to remember that experience — or those moments — and write a short testimony about what He did in and through you.

Fr. Dave prays that every obstacle preventing us from receiving more of the Holy Spirit would be removed. He specifically prays against any spirit of fear, doubt, suspicion, or anything else that may hinder us from receiving a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Take a few moments to pause in prayer, and perhaps even rewind to listen again to Fr. Dave’s prayer. Ask the Lord to reveal whether there are any remaining obstacles in your heart. If He brings anything to mind, offer it to Him with trust, surrender, and openness to all He desires to do in you.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter proclaimed the fulfillment of the prophecy spoken by the prophet Joel:

“In the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams” (Acts 2:17).

Later that same day, Peter spoke to the spiritually hungry crowd with this powerful invitation:

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself” (Acts 2:38–39).

These words remind us that the gift of the Holy Spirit was meant not only for those gathered at Pentecost, but for all people, in every generation, who respond to the Lord’s call. These verses should cause us to rejoice because they include us! We are in the last days and we are among those whom the Lord our God calls to Himself! The promise is for us too!

Now is the moment of prayer. To the extent that you are able, we encourage you to gather with at least one other person and, in your own words, pray together for a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit. If you are praying alone, know that you are not alone, as Fr. Dave reminded us. We have all gathered in a mystical upper room and we are there now, united in prayer. 

“Come, Holy Spirit. I long for more of You in my life. Reveal the Father’s intimate love for me. Reveal Jesus to me as my beloved Lord. Come, Holy Spirit!”