9DAYS NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
MODERATED BY: Fr Justin Nzekwe
DAY 9
DAILY THEME: The Pentecost experience
BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 2:1-11
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one 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 of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”
REFLECTION: Have you ever experienced the power of Holy Spirit in your life before? How does it feels like? Are you afraid of it? Are you already telling the Holy Spirit how you want the experience to look like? Maybe that is why you have not really gotten a unique experience. Evidently everyone of us have received the Holy Spirit at confirmation, but among the qualities of the Holy Spirit is renewal. Have you therefore experienced this renewal? Though Christ had breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples even before the day of Pentecost, yet the renewal of Pentecost came with a different experience. They were praying in the upper room, when a heavy wind began to blow, a tongue of fire descended on them, and they preached fearlessly in many languages. Are you in the mood of prayer and without any distraction? Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit. Sing praises. Then allow the Holy Spirit to complete the rest of the work in you. You may also join any parish in serious preparation for Pentecost. I believe that your experience with the Holy Spirit will not leave you the same.
PRAYER: Come Holy Spirit, I need you. Use me, possess me, overshadow me, consecrate me, work in me and through me. Fill me with your power and your unfathomable gifts. Recreate me that I may live a life in the spirit. Renew your church with the power of Pentecost, and revive me with the Pentecost experience. Come oh gift of Christ my Lord, so that I may never be left as an orphan. Build your home in me, make me a temple fit for thee. Come oh light divine, and dispel the darkness of my being. Come oh great intercessor and carry my prayers to God the Father in groans too deep for sound. Come oh tongues of fire and devour my fears, make me your worthy ambassador, and forever take control of my life. Amen.
CONFESS: Thank you Lord for the gift of the Holy Spirit in my life. For I know that I will never remain the same again. Thank you oh Holy Spirit.
***More prayers and meditation*** ***Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you will renew the face of the earth***
***Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit……. (3x) *** In the name of the Father and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
