Pray
We also must ask God for the Holy
Spirit. The Heavenly Father gives the Holy Spirit "to those who ask
him" (Luke ).
Prayer is the way to ask for the Holy Spirit.
Begin your prayer by saying,
"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray." The Lord promised,
"Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it" (John ). It is only by the name of
Jesus Christ that we have the privilege to make a request to God. So we offer a
prayer in his name.
Then say, "Hallelujah, praise
the Lord Jesus." "Hallelujah" means "praise
the Lord." This is the way the multitude in heaven worships God. In his
vision, John "heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in
heaven shouting: 'Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our
God'" (Revelation 19:1).
While you praise God with your
lips, your prayer must also come from your heart. With a humble attitude, come
before God, asking for forgiveness and mercy: "God, have mercy on me, a
sinner" (see Luke
NIV).
Thirst for the Holy Spirit as if
thirsting for water. With faith in God's promise, and through persistent prayer
and earnest longing, you will receive the Holy Spirit as the Lord has promised.
When the promised Holy Spirit
comes upon you, just as recorded in Scripture, you will be moved to speak in
unknown tongues. You may also experience warmth and power from above. The Holy
Spirit is from God; so when you receive the Holy Spirit, the experience is not
a frightening one, or one where people lose control or
consciousness. You will remain conscious and may end your prayer any time.
This is a wonderful sign from God,
and the same experience that Jesus' disciples experienced two thousand years
ago, when the precious gift of the Holy Spirit first came down to man.
