Come, Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful

We live in a world that celebrates certainty, chases material things, and often sees Christianity as narrow-minded or even hateful. In this post-Christian culture, just bringing up our faith can feel risky or misunderstood. We've tried all kinds of ways to share the gospel, but so often, they miss the hearts of the lost. And we're here left wondering: Why can't they just accept Christ?

But what if I told you… we're not alone in this struggle? What if I told you that, back in 33 AD, the apostles felt the same way?

It's true. Jesus had just ascended into heaven and left His followers with the Great Commission—to go and make disciples of all nations. These were men who had just witnessed their teacher suffer a brutal death, rise again, and then leave them with what must have felt like an impossible mission. They were confused, disoriented, and probably scared out of their minds.

But Jesus didn't leave them alone. Before His arrest, He promised, "I will not leave you as orphans" (John 14:18). And He hasn’t left us either.

Ten days after His ascension, everything changed in Acts 2. Before I get into explaining the action, notice that Jesus instructed Mary, the Mother of God, and the apostles to wait in the upper room for ten days before the Pentecost. I am confident to assume that during that time they prayed continuously to prepare their hearts for the Holy Spirit. We know that we don't merit God's grace. They couldn't do anything to earn the Holy Spirit either. All they did was to have faith that He would send forth His Spirit to guide them to all truth, and they persevered in prayers.

Sometimes, I catch myself thinking that God isn't listening—that He doesn't care. But deep down, I know those thoughts aren't from Him. They're lies from the enemy, meant to pull us away from the truth.

Scripture reminds us to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5), and that includes the ones that whisper doubt and fear. Instead of letting those lies take root, we need to let God’s truth speak louder.

He does care.
He does listen.
He is not a liar—His promises are true.
And He invites us to draw near, to remove the noise and distractions, and simply pray.

Not just to ask for what we want, but to seek what He wants for our lives. Because His plans are always better. Always wiser. Always filled with purpose and love.

So if you're in a place of doubt, don't run from God—run to Him. Be still. Listen. Do what Mary and the apostles did in the upper room. He's closer than you think.

So pray boldly: Holy Spirit, you are welcome here. Fill the depths of my heart. Light the fire of your love in me.

...And you shall renew the face of the earth

I love the book of Psalms; it speaks so deeply of God's glory, majesty, and unwavering faithfulness. It reminds us that our good works aren’t meant to glorify us, but to advance His kingdom. One of my favourite verses is:

"When you send forth your Spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground." — Psalm 104:30

This verse captures the heart of what it means to live in the Spirit: creation, renewal, and transformation. Christianity isn’t meant to be a private, individualistic faith—it's deeply communal, and it's meant to change not just us, but the world around us. As Jesus said, "By their fruits you will know them."

Yes, we all fall short. But the good news is that we’re not expected to do it alone. The Holy Spirit enables us to do what would otherwise be impossible.

In Acts 2, we see this power at work. When the Spirit descended like "the rush of a violent wind," everything changed. The same Peter who denied Jesus three times out of fear stood up and boldly proclaimed the Gospel. That day, three thousand people were cut to the hearts, repented, and accepted the gift of baptism for their forgiveness of sins.

Isn't that breathtaking? Those same confused apostles went on to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth, standing against pagan empires, lived a holy life (holy means "to be set apart"), enduring persecution, and giving their lives for Jesus.

That's not just history—it's a glimpse of what God still wants to do through us.

Too often, we separate ourselves from the saints, as if they were a different kind of people. We tell ourselves we’re not as strong, not as holy, not as worthy. But the truth is, God doesn't wait for us to be "ready." He calls us as we are and empowers us through His Spirit.

We’re invited to respond. How many times have we felt that quiet nudge—to open our Bible, to pray with someone, to speak up, to live differently—and ignored it? That's the Holy Spirit. Don’t run from that voice. Invite Him in.

Because God doesn't call the equipped—He equips the called. And He's still calling.

If He could call Moses, who stuttered and fled after killing an Egyptian...
If He could call David, who fell into adultery and arranged a murder...
If He could call Peter, who denied Him three times out of fear...

Then He can definitely call you.

God isn't looking for perfection—He's looking for willing hearts. He takes the broken, the unlikely, and the unqualified, and fills them with His Spirit to do extraordinary things. All He asks is that we say yes.

So ask Him to fill your heart, to light the fire of His love within you, and to send you out to renew the face of the earth—just as He did with Peter, and Paul, and all the saints who have finished the race and are now cheering us on. This mission is still alive. And He wants to do it through you.

Pray this prayer with me to close this off, let's invite the Holy Spirit in our hearts. This is my go-to prayer before reading my daily devotions, as my wisdom and strength come not from me but from the Holy Spirit.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.