Day 8: The Final Promise
Today’s Reading: Acts 1:1–11
Welcome to Day 8 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2023. This is Week 2, The Comfort of the Holy Spirit.
The Focus: “He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES ON YOU; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.’” (Acts 1:7–9)
The Meditation: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.”
Last Words Matter
We pay attention to a person’s last words. The final thing Jesus said on earth before He was taken up into heaven was a promise about the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8–9).
For forty days after His resurrection He had appeared to His disciples and spoken to them about the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). They had seen Him alive and they knew the message. Yet He told them not to leave Jerusalem until they had received the gift the Father had promised (Acts 1:4).
Baptised with the Holy Spirit
Jesus said that John baptised with water, but that in a few days they would be baptised with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). These men already believed in Him. What He promised them was something further: power from on high for the work He was sending them to do.
As a Pentecostal church we believe that this baptism in the Holy Spirit is still for every believer today. Peter said the promise is for you, for your children and for all who are far off (Acts 2:39).
Power for a Purpose
The disciples wanted to talk about dates and about the future of Israel (Acts 1:6). Jesus turned them from what they could not know to what they would receive. They would receive power, and they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
The power of the Spirit is given so that we can make Jesus known. It begins where we live and it reaches the nations.
He Is Coming Back
As they stood looking up, two men in white told them that this same Jesus would come back in the same way they had seen Him go (Acts 1:11). We live between His promise and His return, and we are not meant to live there in our own strength.
Pray It Through
Ask for the promise. If you have not been baptised in the Holy Spirit, ask the Father for this gift today. If you have, ask to be filled afresh.
Wait. The disciples were told to wait. Give God unhurried time today.
Name your Jerusalem. Who is nearest to you and does not yet know Jesus? Ask for power to be a witness to them.
Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your promise. I cannot be Your witness in my own strength. Baptise me with Your Holy Spirit and fill me with power from on high. Make me bold in my home, in my street and wherever You send me. Keep me ready for the day You return. Amen.
Listen and Watch
Pastor Ras shares a short message for Day 8 in the audio and video below.
Keep going
See every day of this guide on our Prayer & Fasting page.
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