The Day of Pentecost has been called the “Birthday of the church”
The Church was birthed Supernatural (Acts 2:1-13). As His disciples were waiting and praying, they suddenly became aware of God’s Presence.
Since Pentecost the Holy Spirit has been “with” and “in” every believer in a new way. Holy Spirit is the “Administrator of the Church” in the world.
It is the Holy Spirit who gives “increase” in the work of God. In (1 Cor. 3:7) “So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.”
As the disciples were praying, they suddenly became aware of God’s Presence.
In (Acts 2:1-4) “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
The Holy Spirit came in fulfillment of the promise made by Jesus.
(Acts 1:4-5) “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
PRAYER POINTS
ONE
We must not limit the purpose of the work of the Holy Spirit.
The manifestations of the Holy Spirit in (Acts 1:8) “You shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to me in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”Illustrates much more than just signs and wonders. The purpose of the Holy Spirit is also to give us wisdom to practically carry out and implement the will of God on the earth. We pray back God’s Word to lead us by His wisdom and strategic knowledge how to understand the troubled waters and present crisis.
TWO
Pray for the Building Up of the Church through power of gospel
God’s plan is church growth? Christ says in (Matthew 16:18) “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
Christ is building his church, and we need to find out how he is building it so when we partner with him. When we build on secular principles, we get what man can build—a secular church that won’t last.
(Psalm 127:1) “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labour inn vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”
But if we build according to Christ’s principles, we get what God can build — a church that the gates of hades will not prevail against.
In (Eph 4:15-16) “But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
When Peter preached the gospel under the anointing of Holy Spirit and 3000 people repented, were baptized, and received the Holy Spirit. They began meeting together, experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit’s presence, and displaying a remarkable sense of oneness.
THREE
Unity in the Body of Christ
Walk in Unity (Eph. 4: 1-4) “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;”
FOUR
Prayer Power of boldness to be witnesses for Christ
(Acts 4:29-31) “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 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.”
FIVE
Prayer for the outpouring of Holy Spirit on all flesh
Joel’s Prophecy in (Joel 2:28-29) “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.”
Joel says that one feature of the last days will be the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on people of every kind—men and women, young and old, high and low.
And the main effect of this power seems to be bold, prophetic speech. Believers of all kinds are going to be so gripped by the Spirit of God that they see the greatness of Jesus and the purpose of Jesus with extraordinary clarity and speak it with extraordinary boldness.
SIX
Prayer for the increase of the harvest of souls
In (Acts 16:31) “What must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved, you and your whole household.”
Lord Jesus of the Harvest, we pray to You to send labourers into the fields around NZ and the surrounding nations. That Your Word will be preached, call and anointed fishers of men. Even into the most difficult places we pray that the nets would be let down and filled with an abundant spiritual harvest in this hour. We pray for the nets of salvation to overflow with decisions for Christ in our homes, in our churches, in our schools, in our prisons, in the streets, in our cities and in the nations.
Revive Your work in the earth and raise us up and send more preachers to proclaim the gospel. We pray that faith, revelation, and repentance will be given to all who hear the message of salvation in the name of Jesus and be converted.
You are our Great Shepherd of the sheep — You have come to seek and save the lost. Fill your servants hearts with faith and with the power of the Holy Spirit to preach with boldness that men and women may be reconciled to You.
Len Buttner
24/5/21