When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. [2] Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] There appeared to them tongues as of fire, being distributed and resting on each of them, [4] and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to speak. –Acts 2:1-4 MEV
- The person of the Holy Spirit
- The wind of the Holy Spirit
- The fire of the Holy Spirit
Jesus prepared His disciples for the ministry of the Holy Spirit and a new kind of praying. Here is the foundation on how to pray and receive from your loving heavenly Father.
1. Praying to the Father in Jesus Name
On that day you will ask Me nothing. Truly, truly I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you. [24] Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. –John 16:23-24 MEV
Who did the Apostle Paul (primary writer of the New Testament) pray to?
I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… –Ephesians 3:14 MEV
Who should you pray to?
For you have not received the spirit of slavery again to fear. But you have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” [16] The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirits that we are the children of God.–Romans 8:15-16 MEV
Praying in Jesus Name is how we access our authority in prayer.
On that day you will ask in My name. I am not saying to you that I shall ask the Father on your behalf. [27] For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came from God. –John 16:26-27 MEV
We pray in the merits of Jesus name!
Therefore God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name which is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. –Philippians 2:9-11 MEV
2. The key to a fruitful prayer life is a heart full of God’s Word
If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it shall be done for you. [8] My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. –John 15:7-8 MEV
3. Two conditions for you to receive answered prayer: faith & love
Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. [23] For truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. [24] Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you will receive them, and you will have them. [25] And when you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven may also forgive you your sins. –Mark 11:22-25 MEV
But there is one more thing that is necessary for you to have a powerful prayer life that changes you and the world around you, it is the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Wait!!! There is the promise of the Father
And look, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high. –Luke 24:49 MEV
Being assembled with them, He commanded them, “Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, of which you have heard from Me. [5] For John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” –Acts 1:4-5 MEV
Why were the disciples to wait for the promise of the Father?
[8] But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. –Acts 1:4-5 MEV
When the disciples were filled they were empowered with a prayer language.
and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to speak. –Acts 2:4 MEV
Peter explains what God was doing on the day of Pentecost
But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: [17] ‘In the last days it shall be,’ says God, ‘that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. –Acts 2:16-17 MEV
Jesus received the promise and poured it out upon His church!
God raised up this Jesus, of which we all are witnesses. [33] Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this which you now see and hear. –Acts 2:32-33 MEV
How to receive the gift? Simply repent, accept Jesus and you shall receive…
Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. –Acts 2:38 MEV
(Notice the promise of the Father is the gift of the Holy Spirit or the baptism of the Holy Spirit or being filled with the Holy Spirit.)
Who is this gift for?
[39] For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call.” –Acts 2:39 MEV
The house of Cornelius receives the gift
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. [45] All the believers of the circumcision who had come with Peter were astonished, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. –Acts 10:44-45 MEV
The believers at Ephesus receives the gift some 20 years later.
When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. –Acts 19:6 MEV
Why is this gift so important for believers? The gift that gives you an supernatural advantage!
If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [gifts that are to their advantage] to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him! –Luke 11:13 AMPC
The Apostle Paul defines praying in tongues as praying in the spirit.
For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive [it bears no fruit and helps nobody]. [15] Then what am I to do? I will pray with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will also pray [intelligently] with my mind and understanding; I will sing with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will sing [intelligently] with my mind and understanding also. –1 Corinthians 14:14-15 AMPC
Finish Strong! 