Come Holy Spirit

I was brought up in the Catholic church and I never forget the occasion of my Confirmation when I was about 11. All the girls wore white dresses and veils on our heads and took on another name – our confirmation name – mine was Helen. It was a very special time but then I don’t think I realised the significance of it. I learned a prayer which I have never forgotten: – ‘Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love……….’ A beautiful prayer, then when I was ‘born again’ it took on a new significance. When we invite Jesus into our hearts Holy Spirit comes to dwell in our hearts. So now when I say ‘Come Holy Spirit’, although I know He is already there, there is an increased sense of the presence of God. I am filled with the peace of God and at those times I know the love and the protection and presence of God. It makes me feel safe, loved, – its like the inside of me is filled with warm cotton wool. The amazing thing is that it doesn’t take ages for this sense of God’s presence to fill me. As soon as I say those words its there, like wrapping me up in a cocoon of God’s love.

In the book of Acts after Jesus has ascended into heaven, we are told

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they (the apostles) were all with on accord in one place and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire and one sat upon each one of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:1-3 NKJV

Isn’t that a beautiful promise?

Can you imagine what the apostles must have felt on that occasion? Were they afraid? Or did they too feel the power and the presence and the peace of God? Sometimes this power came on them spontaneously, other times they prayed to receive. After they had received the Holy Spirit Peter and John spoke boldly to the people for they had received extra power and confidence to speak the gospel about Jesus to all who would listen. They prayed for boldness ‘and when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God with boldness’ Acts 4 v 31

We need Holy Spirit to strengthen us and guide us through our Christian lives, to give us wisdom to deal with every situation that arises, and all we have to do is ask – ‘Come Holy Spirit’. I once learned that Holy Spirit is a gentleman and will never force His presence on us. All we have to do is ask and He will respond.

: Terry Walmsley :