“And Peter said to them, ‘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 ESV).
Having confessed our sins and received forgiveness as He promised (1 John 1:8-10), we confidently ask for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit for ourselves, but also, as promised in today’s verse, we can also ask this for our children, our church, and the Church worldwide.
Heavenly Father, through the ascension of your Son Jesus, our Lord, you sent the Holy Spirit to come along side us and to fill us, to give us power to live lives of faithful obedience, to love our neighbor and minister effectively. We know you to be a good Father who gives good gifts to His children and the Holy Spirit to those who ask. Fill me, my family, and my fellow believers afresh with your Holy Spirit today. Give us the gifts of the Spirit so we may minister to each other and our community in His power. Lastly, manifest through us the fruits of your Spirit so that our lives display Jesus and bring you glory. Amen.
~~ Fr. Scott Howard