This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday (50 days following Easter). It is the day in the Church calendar marked to remember when the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles (Acts 2). Some refer to Pentecost as the birthday of the Church.
(PS. I would recommend checking out Francis Chan’s website and book, Forgotten God.)
Today while I was reading and researching for an upcoming sermon series, I ran across this prayer written by St. Bonaventure (1221-1274 A.D.).
Lord Jesus, as God’s Spirit came down and rested upon you,
May the same Spirit rest on us,
Bestowing his sevenfold gifts.
First, grant us the gift of understanding,
By which your precepts may enlighten our minds.
Second, grant us counsel, by which we may follow
in your footsteps on the path of righteousness.
Third, grant us courage,
by which we may ward off the enemy’s attacks.
Fourth, grant us knowledge,
by which we can distinguish good from evil.
Fifth, grant us piety,
by which we may acquire compassionate hearts.
Sixth, grant us fear,
by which we may draw back from evil
and submit to what is good.
Seventh, grant us wisdom,
that we may taste fully the life-giving sweetness of your love.
Happy Birthday Church…and as we celebrate, may we not extinguish the flames of your Spirit, but allow them to purify our lives through and through.
Thank you for sharing your story yesterday. It helped plug the holes in my leaky boat. That is where I’ve been living for the last few months. I undertood the symptoms but not the diagnosis. I have a great amount of humility to the point of doubting my own self-worth and salvation. I’d been praying about it on the way to service. This new seris is so on point for me and I’m sure for many others as well. Thank you for your transparency.