Week: God's Mission
As usual, we start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
Now, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s reading.
Read by Liliwyn
Acts 2:1-4
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a noise like a strong, blowing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw something like flames of fire that were separated and stood over each person there. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak different languages by the power the Holy Spirit was giving them.
Acts 2:1-4 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s verses?
When the Holy Spirit entered the room, the disciples remembered what Jesus had told them before He had gone back to heaven… ‘wait for the gift my Father promised.’ (Acts 1:4) This was the gift!
Father God, thank You so much for giving us Your Holy Spirit. On this very special day, we ASK You, Spirit of the Living God, to enter our homes and fill all of us in powerful ways, just like You did with the disciples on that first Pentecost Sunday.
As the disciples gathered in their prayer room, as we’d call it today, they were probably a little bit scared and confused because Jesus had gone back to heaven and they weren’t sure what they were supposed to be doing next. But then the Holy Spirit entered the room and filled them all, just as Jesus had promised.
Lord Jesus, thank you that You never leave us or abandon us (Hebrew 13:5, NCV), but You are always with us by Your Spirit. And we thank you, Holy Spirit, for giving us peace that calms our fears, and for guiding us when we feel confused too. Help us to trust You a little more during the week ahead.
The Holy Spirit gave the disciples power and courage to follow Jesus and to put things right in the world.
Holy Spirit, we ASK You once again to fill us with the same power and courage that You filled those first disciples. Help us to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, to speak like He did and do the things He did, and to work with You to put things right in the world.
Now, let’s press pause and talk about our Sabbath question which is: As our week comes to an end, what was good about it – what are we thankful for? It could be something big or small.
As we finish our time together, let’s say this week’s memory verse one last time:
1 Corinthians 1:24
Even the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
1 Corinthians 1:24 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
May this Sabbath bring rest and joy to our hearts and our homes.
May today be a little less go, go, go, and a little more slow… slow… slow…
May we care less about things, and care more for people.
As we relax in God’s love, may we take time to listen and remember that we are all God’s children.
Phil lives close to a beach in the north of England with his wife, his daughters and his dogs. Phil works for 24-7 Prayer, mostly doing Lectio stuff, and helping to run Prayer Spaces in Schools. He runs a lot, usually for long distances. He likes curry, mountains, reading books and he still plays Pokemon Go.
Liliwyn is 16 and lives in Kansas City, USA, with her parents, sisters and dogs. She is a good friend and enjoys designing, music, traveling, math and watching American Football (especially the KC Chiefs).
