Last night we had our last training session before launch (today!!). At the end of the session, they decided to do something unplanned and unexpected (sometimes Holy Spirit just leads the night in a different direction). They brought up all the squad mentors to the front, and each one of them shared an area they are gifted in/what they have to offer to others. Some said joy, peace, love, faith, emotional healing, a relationship with Father God, the heart of adoption, etc. We were to each find a person that had what we want and let them pray for us. I decided I needed some faith. I know in my heart I would love more faith in the Holy Spirit’s power. It was awesome to be prayed over for that, but what was even more awesome was talking and praying after that with two of my squad mates.
Our conversation started out very surface level (target shopping to be specific), and then we get to the wonderful, deep stuff: our hearts. We asked each other the question, “What do WE have to offer?” One of my squad mates said she has encouragement and love. The other said she has wisdom and encouragement to offer. And I said I have patience and compassion. They both responded to patience saying, “I need that!” So I prayed over these two beautiful ladies for the fruit of patience. Then we started talking about experiencing God. One squad mate said she has never gotten a vision, seen a picture or received a dream that was from God. All three of us were in the same position. We have never experienced God in that way. So we all prayed for God to reveal things to us not through our eyes but through the eyes of God. Our conversation keeps going, and I shared my heart to know the Holy Spirit more deeply. Let me explain.
My church experience has had very little emphasis on the Holy Spirit. I see the Holy Spirit more as my second conscience, this voice inside my head that is not my voice. I know He lives in me, but I can say confidently I do not have a relationship with the Holy Spirit like I do Father God and Jesus. I don’t truly know the power of the Holy Spirit in me. Remember Christ in me, the hope of glory? (Colossians 1:27). I’ve been convicted that I really don’t know who the Holy Spirit is. As I was sharing this with my squad mates, they immediately felt the need to pray for me. I was so overwhelmed with the feeling that God wants to do something huge in me.
Here is my prayer and hope for my world race journey: That I would meet Holy Spirit this year. That I would learn what it means to walk in step WITH Him as opposed to simply knowing that He is the deposit given to me securing my place in Heaven. I want Holy Spirit to be my best friend, not just Jesus.
Max Lucado put the Holy Spirit this way: “The Holy Spirit is the presence of God in our lives carrying on the work of Jesus.” I want to experience Holy Spirit carrying on the work Jesus did while He was on earth. Jesus is not physically still here on earth, but we are, and Holy Spirit is living and breathing in all believers. Together we can do the things Jesus did.
Last night was the most powerful night of prayer I’ve ever experienced! We just kept sharing and praying, sharing and praying. I am so excited to see how every person on our squad will be challenged and stretched. Prayer for God to reveal His Spirit to me would be lovely!
