Come, Holy Spirit

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Talk about one or more of the following with a friend or family member.

How did you celebrate Easter as a kid? Who was usually present? What kinds of traditions have you held onto as you get older?

Have you ever seen an immersion baptism in person? Who was baptized and why were you there? What do you know about your baptism day?

Have you ever been in a situation where you could have died? What happened? How did it turn out? What did you take away from that experience?

Discuss with someone who can point you back to Jesus and his love for you.

The perfectionist won’t go down into the waters of baptism; the fatalist won’t come back out. Which is more like you, to want to avoid admitting your sins or to want to dwell on your sins and avoid living out your forgiven identity? Why do you think that is?

A purifying fire does damage, but if controlled properly, it consumes only the imperfections that taint or stain. Have you had an experience of refining through fire? What did you lose? What did you gain? How did you pray in the fire?

Where do you think the Holy Spirit is killing or raising or refining or sculpting you right now? 
What help from others or promise from Jesus will shape your response to the Spirit’s work?

Sunday

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:4 (ESV)

Spirit of Creation and New Creation, join me to the death of Jesus. Bury me deep in the watery grave of my baptism; kill my selfishness and pride. Join me to the death of Jesus that the sins of my past may have no power over me.

Then bring the power of Easter to my present reality. Raise me to newness of life even now, ahead of my future resurrection, that the life of Jesus may define my present identity. Fill me, change me, guide me, and overflow through me, to the glory of the Father. Amen.

Monday

 The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

Genesis 1:2

Come, Holy Spirit, creator of all things! Cast aside the chaos of my hectic week and order my days after the Father’s will.

Hover over today’s needs and desires; be present in my thinking, feeling, and speaking. Bring peace to my turmoil, trust to my uncertainty, and light to my darkness.

Use your creative power to make the life of Jesus present in my routine, so that I labor for Christ even as I rest in Him. Amen.

Tuesday

Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

John 20:22

Resurrected Lord, breathe on me again today!

As You personally breathed the Spirit of life into the human being You shaped from the dust, give me Your personal, life-giving Spirit in abundance. As I breathe in, I am aware of Your presence; as I breathe out, I give my burdens to You.

Jesus, I need Your breath—Your Spirit—in my life, or I will die. Be as close and as present today as my breathing, and increase my dependence on You. Amen.

Wednesday

All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Galatians 3:27

Come, Holy Spirit, sculptor from on high! Chisel away the rough edges of my selfish heart and mold me more and more into the image of Christ.

Give me that image as my new garment; clothe me with Jesus; cover me with His Easter life, so that by faith in Him I put on His resurrection power.

As a free and forgiven heir of the New Creation, I want to walk in the steps of the risen Son and live out my calling as an heir of promise. Spirit, make me look like Jesus. Amen.

Thursday

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Matthew 3:11

Come, Holy Spirit, fire from above! Burn away my sins and purify my heart with God’s love, so that my life mirrors Christ’s faithfulness to the Father and service for the world. 

O Holy Fire, You who kill and make alive, I confess my sins to You today. I hold nothing back, known or unknown. I especially need forgiveness for …

 Consume my dross with your flame; put to death everything in me that opposes your purpose; kindle in me a faith that trusts You. Amen.

Friday

For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body…and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

1 Corinthians 12:13

Lord God, Heavenly Father, thank You for arranging the members of the Body so carefully! Thank you for the variety of Your gifts, and for the unique life you give me to use for Your glory.

Give me to drink again of the one Spirit that binds Your people together. Give your Church one heart and one mind, that we may speak with one voice. Bring unity in our division, Lord, and give us Your Spirit of Peace, for the sake of Jesus. Amen. 

Saturday

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Romans 8:16

Loving Father, thank you for Your Spirit, who lives in me. What an amazing thought! The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead also gives me life!

Come, Holy Spirit, Spirit of Adoption, and empower me to cry out, “Abba, Father!” Fill me with resurrection power and resurrection joy as you continue to shape the death and resurrection of Jesus in me.

All praise, and glory, and honor be to You, O God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—now and forever! Amen.

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Talk about one or more of the following with a friend or family member.

Have you ever spent any time in an arid wilderness? Where? What was it like?

What’s the most dangerous thing you have ever done? Did you feel safe? Why or why not?

If you knew you were going to end up stranded in the middle of the Arizona wilderness, who would you want with you, and why?

Discuss with someone who can point you back to Jesus and his love for you. 

Don’t share it in a group setting, but do you know what your “spiritual Achilles’ heel” is? If you don’t know, talk about how you might identify a recurring weakness or point of attack. If one comes to mind, talk about inviting someone into your struggle so you don’t battle alone.

Share a time when you learned dependence on Jesus or a time when you felt far away from God. What kinds of things did other people do or say during that time? What things were not helpful? What helped most?

What promise from Jesus is helping you get through this week? How does the Holy Spirit’s work show up in that promise for you?

Sunday

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Luke 4:1

Holy Spirit, faithful companion of pilgrims, join me to Jesus on his journey to the desert. Lead me into wilderness sands. Hold me in the Father’s hands. Make me steadfast to face the evil one’s attacks.
Be my pilot through the tempests of life. Guide and strengthen me in my plight, comfort me in the strife.
Holy Spirit, rain from heaven, make the saving waters of my little Jordan, my baptism into Christ, be the oasis that sustains the spiritually thirsty through life.

Fill me with your presence and love, in times of better and worse. Make the desolate place of temptation also be the place of testing, a time for me to grow in prayer and the Word. Amen.

Monday

Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit. Ephesians 6:17-18a

Come Holy Spirit, defender of the saints! Make me vigilant and alert; let me not fall into the devil’s snare. You know my spiritual Achilles’ heel. You know the strength and wisdom I need from you.

As you led Jesus into the desert, so lead me also in Jesus’ name to pray and trust in God’s Word without fail. Baptized in the name of Jesus, you placed the helmet of salvation on me, so that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Tuesday

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2

Lord, you are my refuge and my fortress! Cover me with your feathers and let me hide, safe and secure, under your wings. Let your faithfulness be my shield and sure defense.

I look around and see enemies, within and without, who are too strong for me. I grow weary of the hatred and violence in the news. I am tired of the sinful leanings of my own heart. I feel worn down and exhausted.

Holy Spirit, I need a safe place to rest, a refuge from my struggle. Surround me with your presence and protect me when I am most vulnerable. Amen.

Wednesday

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.
Luke 24:49

Come Holy Spirit, promise of the Father, and clothe me with power from on high! Cover over my weakness with your strength. Wrap my frailty in your defenses. Arm me for the spiritual battle I will face today.

Since you declared war on the power of darkness in my life, be my light, my strength, and my shield. Conform me to the testing and the victory of my Lord Christ. Amen.

Thursday

On reaching the place, he said to them,
“Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”
Luke 22:40

O, my Lord, my Teacher, my Friend—how often I have failed you, Jesus! How often I have failed to watch and pray! How quickly I lose my focus, lose my commitment, lose my way!

Do not treat me as my failures deserve. Don’t take your Holy Spirit from me, but restore to me the joy of your salvation. Strengthen my weak hands. Release me from my past. Renew my prayers.

Let your Spirit intercede for me in my weakness, and teach me to pray. Amen.

Friday

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18

Come Holy Spirit, anointing from above! You empowered the Son’s obedience to the Father’s mission, for me. In the perilous desert and garden, the Son suffered the tempter’s attacks; Jesus knows deeply what I am going through.

I am tempted to be unfaithful. I struggle with obedience. Spirit of God, let your anointing help me discern what is right and wrong. In times of temptation, make me faithful like the Son to say: “Not my will, but yours be done.” Amen.

Saturday

For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants.
Isaiah 44:3

Praise be to you, O Lord of heaven and earth!
You pour out your Spirit on the tired and thirsty! You cause the desert to bloom with life! You give your gifts to generations of those who love you!

I thank you, Lord, for the gift of family and friends. Please rain down your Holy Spirit onto the lives of the people I love. Today, I especially pray for …

Give your Spirit freely, Lord, and refresh your people! Amen.

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Talk about one or more of the following with a friend or family member.

Talk about a situation in your life that involved LOTS of water. Was it a good thing or a bad thing?

Name three things that you own that used to belong to someone else. Are these heirlooms, gifts, hand-me-downs, or …? What memories do you associate with those objects?

Name one person in your every day community that you would like to get to know a little better. What interests you about them? What gifts do they have?

Discuss with someone who can point you back to Jesus and his love for you.

Share an experience of abundance. When have you had more than enough, more than you could use, so much you just had to share it with others? What happened next?

Time, forgiveness, and money are all things we can be stingy with. What things to you tend to hold in a closed fist? What does it take to open your hand to receive what Jesus wants to give?

Talk about three things you see Jesus pouring into your life right now. Talk about three things you could pour into other people this week.

How does what you have to pour out relate to what Jesus has poured into you?

Sunday

I will pour out my Spirit on all people…

Even on my servants, both men and women,

I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

Joel 2:28-29

Come, Holy Spirit, fill all the empty places of my life. Pour the power of your presence into my mind, my heart, and my attitudes. Conform my way of seeing others to the way Jesus sees me, as he pours himself out to fill me up.

Spirit of abundance, don’t hold back any gift or blessing I need in order to be a blessing to others. Whenever I feel dry or empty, gently turn me back to the cataract of your grace.

Let my cup overflow into the lives of others as I seek to live out the generous, out-pouring love of my Savior. Teach me to give myself away, even as you give yourself to me without reservation. Come, Holy Spirit, and fill me to overflowing. Amen.

Monday

Come, Holy Spirit, water of life! Rivers flowing from Christ, God’s temple among us, you fill me richly with faith and love. You are the gift of God for the thirsty soul.

Refresh me with God’s life-giving Word, so that I might worship the Father in spirit and truth. Make me receptive to God’s lead, strong in belief in a world set against you, a faithful witness to Christ in word and deed. Amen.

Tuesday

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

Jesus, you turn my world upside down! I think I know what power and authority looks like when I see business leaders or politicians, and then you come and show me what true power is. You, who are equal with God, expressed your divine power by giving yourself away. You emptied yourself, poured yourself out, became a servant—became my servant.

Give me the faith to receive with open hands what you pour out. Then give me an attitude like yours to exert the authority of your Kingdom by giving myself away. Amen.

Wednesday

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23

O Holy Spirit, you filled the Son of God with gifts to be our suffering Servant. Fill us also with your gifts, so that we may mirror our Lord’s service to others in a world filled with need.

Generous Spirit, graft me into the living Vine, the Lord Jesus Christ, that I may bear abundant fruit in my life. Kill the weeds of my selfish pride that threaten to suffocate and hinder my growth. Fill me with Christ’s patient love, and help me share it with all. Amen.

Thursday

Forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Matthew 6:12

I stand in your presence with closed fists, O Lord.
I know I am holding onto my own guilt and shame.
I know I cling relentlessly to sins committed against me. There are people in my life who do not deserve forgiveness; people I don’t want to forgive.

Come, Holy Spirit, and soften my heart. Gently open my hands to release the anger and the hurt caused by other people. Give me a willingness to forgive. Release me from the weight of my own sin.

I open my hands in your presence, Lord, and commit my debt and my debtors to your care. Amen.

Friday

But even if I am being poured out like

a drink offering on the sacrifice and

service coming from your faith,

I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

Philippians 2:17

I thank you, Heavenly Father, that you have given me the ability and opportunity to pour into the lives of others. Have I told you lately about some of my favorite people and what they are up to? I place these people especially before your throne of grace…

Thank you Lord, for the people you have placed in my life. Show me how I can serve them in your name this week. Amen.

Saturday

And the disciples were filled with joy

and with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 13:52

Come, Holy Spirit, and fill me with your joy!

I rejoice in your presence and power in my life.

Thank you for joining me to Jesus, to his life of service, his victory over death, and his eternal glory! Thank you for giving me unique gifts, gifts that are useful to the people around me! Thank you for the delight of your intimate guidance and the confidence of your prayers for me!

Let this day be a day of joyful peace for me as I spend it reflecting on what you pour into my life. Come, Holy Spirit, and fill me with your joy! Amen.

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Talk about one or more of the following with a friend or family member.

Talk about your own Confirmation. What was significant about it for you?

What was your Confirmation verse (Bible passage)? Or, what’s one of your favorite Bible verses? Why is it the verse so meaningful?

Name a person who you can talk to about your discipleship/faith walk. How do they help you on your journey of faith?

Discuss with someone who can point you back to Jesus and his love for you.

Share about a time when you read or heard something from the Bible and, like the Emmaus disciples, you knew you were in the presence of Jesus and your heart burned within you.
In difficult and challenging times, are you more prone to journeying alone or seeking another follower of Jesus to help you? What could happen if you more regularly invited someone to point you to Jesus in these times?

Choose a passage from the Bible that is significant for you in this season of your life. What image would you use to convey its significance to someone else? How could it encourage or support someone else?

Jesus is present for you by the power of the Spirit as you receive His words and promises through other disciples. Our St. Luke Confirmands have chosen the following Confirmation verses. Read and meditate on them as a gift from Jesus through these partners in faith!

Monday

Tobey Dunn – Isaiah 43:1

Sam Egmon – Psalm 140:1-8

Tuesday

Holden Gates – Psalm 145:13

Derek Ghormley – Proverbs 11:25

Adam Greunke – John 1:5

Wednesday

Levi Greunke – John 15:5

Brianna Harshe – 1 Peter 5:7

Thursday

Nate Hasey – Psalm 23:1-4

John Hayes – Luke 15:23

Gideon Hein – John 15:5

Friday

Elissa Hines – Colossians 2:6-7

Sarah Hines – Romans 8:38-39

Saturday

Douglas Mobley – Philippians 4:13

Will Publiski – Psalm 46:1

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Taking Worship Home
Talk about one or more of the following with a friend or family member.

In the last month, where is the farthest you have been from home? In the last year? Ever?

Tell a story about a cross-cultural experience where you were the outsider, stranger, or foreigner. What was that like?

Name three people you see at least once a month who are from a different culture or background than you are. What do you know about them? How could you learn more?

Discuss with someone who can point you back to Jesus and his love for you.

Have you ever thought of Jesus as someone who had an accent, who was from the “wrong side of town,” or who was marginalized by other people in his culture? How does Jesus’ experience as an outsider shape or change your view of him?

When have you felt most marginalized as a follower of Jesus? Are there people who make you feel like an unwelcome outsider in your regular experience?

Are there people you feel uncomfortable around because they are so different from you? What emotions do you feel in that situation and how do you deal with them?

What promise from Jesus opens you up to other people who aren’t like you?

Sunday

“Nazareth! Can anything good
come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
John 1:46

Risen, ascended, and glorified Lord, look down on your people with compassion today. You, who were treated as an outsider and enemy, pour out your Spirit on me so that I may share your heart for the foreigner, the outsider, the marginal and the marginalized.
Use me in the places I have the least power or influence. Cause me to embrace my own journey on the border between this world and the life of the world to come.
Give me a heart of hospitality for people who don’t look like me, or talk like me, or think like me; and make your Church a tapestry of every tribe, and people, and language. Give me your Spirit and make me more like you. Amen.

Monday

You are to love those who are foreigners,
for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. Deuteronomy 10:19

Come, Holy Spirit, give us the eyes of God’s compassion for his people, who were once vulnerable aliens in Egypt. Move our hearts to embody in our lives Christ’s own loving care for foreigners. Let us not forget those outsiders who are often invisible and forgotten.

Generous Spirit, gently push us out of our comfort zones and bring us into the lives of people who look different from us, speak with strange accents, or come from different cultures. Mold us to practice hospitality in a world filled with people looking for belonging, friendship, and welcoming arms. Amen.

Tuesday

For through him we both have access
to the Father by one Spirit.
Ephesians 2:18

Spirit of unity, give us a heart for unity today. Drive away that which divides us. Give us opportunities to reach out to neighbors who are strangers to God’s promises in Christ, and move us to invite them to share in the blessings of the kingdom of God. Chisel away from us any hostility toward strangers and shape us into a hospitable people.

Since you tear down the walls of hostility, build us together as one temple, filled with your presence. Come, Holy Spirit; make us one in Christ. Amen.
Wednesday

Make every effort to keep
the unity of the Spirit
through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3

Come, Holy Spirit, bond of love between the Father and the Son, source of communion in the Church, make us one in the faith and knowledge of the Son. We are so often impatient with one another. Dove from above, mold us to be at peace with all.

Sculptor Spirit, shape us in the likeness of Christ, who in his humility took upon himself our burden and load, so that we might bear with one another in love. Help us leave our sinful and childish ways behind in order to become mature and grown up in Christ. Amen.

Thursday

Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see
that the fields are white for harvest.
John 4:35

Jesus, I don’t see the world the way you do, and that makes me sad. You see grain ready to be brought in with joy; I see enemies who threaten my religion. You see people worthy of love; I see people worthy of spite. You see strangers to welcome into the embrace of your Father; I see outsiders who don’t talk like me, or dress like me, or pray like me, and that makes me uncertain, and sometimes even afraid.

Heal my eyes with your Spirit. Take away the inward focus that blinds my heart. Forgive me and renew me, so I see people like you do. Amen.

Friday

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.
Hebrews 13:3 (ESV)

Loving Father, open my heart to people around me who carry burdens, who struggle, who face needs beyond their means to provide. Give me a heart of compassion and a spirit of solidarity. Show me how I can bear their burdens in concrete ways. Accept my prayers for their present as well as their future.
I hold before you today people I know are struggling this week, especially…

Pour out your Spirit and be present in the midst of their struggles. Give them hope; give them courage; give them peace, all for the sake of Jesus. Amen.

Saturday

Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said,
“I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.” Luke 10:21

Come, Holy Spirit, and fill me with the same joy you gave to Jesus! I am so thankful you chose the weak and the foolish and the things that are not, because that means you can choose me, too!

Thank you for using me even in all my weakness and failure. Thank you for using me even when I am slow or afraid. Thank you for using me to welcome strangers home in your presence. Give me the joy of expecting you to work in my life. Amen