Day 28

When I was in middle school I loved slumber parties! I used to look forward to joining a group of girls doing what most junior high girls do…giggle, eat, talk and stay up late. But as the night got later, the giggling would settle down and the girls began talking in softer voices as they anticipated what would come next…the telling of stories—ghost stories! Not only would they tell ghost stories, but on at least one occasion they wanted to try to communicate with a spirit of some sort. I have to admit, I was not a fan of ghost stories and the odd notion of communicating with an unknown spirit seemed very creepy to me. Because the room was usually very dark that late at night, I would try to hide my fears and escape by going to sleep quickly or by pulling my sleeping bag over my ears so I couldn’t hear the scary stories being shared (I still vaguely remember the story about the man with the golden arm!).

Thankfully there’s a different kind of spirit called the Holy Spirit (some faith traditions call him the Holy Ghost!) that is not scary at all but rather offers comfort and counsel. In John 4:16 Jesus says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you"

The word “Counselor” used in scripture means “helper” – it’s a legal term but with a broader meaning than “counsel of the defense”. Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit stands beside us to guide, give counsel and to direct us.

Scripture also teaches that the Holy Spirit is characterized by truth. It is God’s deep desire that through his son, Jesus, and the work of the Holy Spirit, all people would come to know the truth of God.

A live-in Counselor that reminds us of God’s truth? This is great news for me as a parent who desperately desires wisdom and direction in the oh-so-holy task of parenting. This is great news for me as a woman who needs constant reminders and reassurances of where my security and identity lie. And here’s the best part of all—we don’t need to set an appointment or pay a fee to meet with him, to talk with him or to hear from him!

At this time of year when we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate the baby Jesus, Immanuel, “God with us”. The truth is, we can celebrate every day of the year because God continues to be with us through the gift of his Holy Spirit who not only lives with us but who also lives in us.

Day 30

The Ministry of Intercessory Prayer by Andrew Murray

What to Pray: That All God's People May Know the Holy Spirit

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you" (John 14:16-17). "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own" (1 Corinthians 6:19).

The Holy Spirit is the power of God for the salvation of men. He only works as He dwells in the church. He is given to enable believers to live as God would have them live, in the full experience and witness of Him who saves completely. Pray that all God's people will come to know the Holy Spirit and His function in their lives. He will reveal Jesus to us and empower us to be His witnesses. We cannot expect to live as effective Christians in prayer or in service without having the fullness of the Holy Spirit in our lives. If you believe in the Trinity, do not neglect the Holy Spirit.

How to Pray: Laboring Fervently in Prayer

"Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured" (Colossians 4:12).

To a healthy person, work is a delight, and that person works hard at what interests him. The believer who is healthy-has a clear conscience, a pure heart, and a desire to serve God-labors fervently in prayer. True intercession is fervent prayer for others: that they might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God; that they may know what God expects of them; how He calls them to live; and that they might be led by and walk in the Holy Spirit. Labor fervently in prayer that all God's children may know this.

Your Own Prayer Requests:

What do you “labor fervently” in prayer for? Consider praying passionately for:

Ø An openness to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life

Ø A desire to listen and respond to the Holy Spirit’s daily call to obedience

Ø A commitment to “wrestle in prayer” for those in your sphere of influence who do not know Jesus and the power of his Holy Spirit.

Lorene Coffey

Director of Women's Ministries