Praying for the Holy Spirit to Come
Having been a Christian for many years, I have had the privilege of being in various worship environments where I felt the Holy Spirit moving powerfully in my life and the lives of others. It’s made me feel a spiritual high on the inside and caused me to raise my hands, shout “amen,” proclaim God’s truths, sing at the top of my lungs, and even bawl my eyes out as I sensed Him working within me.
I’m grateful for those moments, and I’m sure that many of you have had similar experiences as well. They leave us wanting more; desiring to recreate those moments.
As a result, we begin praying for the Holy Spirit to come. We ask Him to fill us again. We beg Him to fill the place that we’ve gathered for worship and to rest on us.
It has become common language in the worship songs that we sing.
Spirit come move over us, come rest on us
When you fill the room you’re here and I know you are moving
I’m here and I know that you will fill me
(Rest on Us)
Oh Holy Spirit come, like a flood, like a fire
Holy Spirit fall in this place, fill our hearts
(Holy Spirit Come)
All I want is all You are, will you meet me here again
The Lord is in this place, come Holy Spirit
(Here Again)
But if we are believers, do we need to pray for the Holy Spirit to come?
WHERE IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?
The moment anyone puts their faith and trust in Jesus for salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in them.
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
(Ephesians 1:13-14)
Notice the past tense, “were included in Christ,” in the passage above. At some time in the past, the Ephesians were spiritually united to Christ. When did that happen?
Paul goes on to say in verse 13 that it happened the moment they believed. The moment they believed, the Holy Spirit was deposited in them, never to leave again.
The same is true of you if you’ve put your faith in Jesus. The moment you believed, the Holy Spirit came to dwell in you. He is always with you.
IF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS IN YOU, DO YOU NEED TO PRAY FOR HIM TO COME?
Sometimes when I am in worship services, I hear a pastor begin to pray and ask for the Holy Spirit to come and fill the place we are in. Each time I hear that, I want to stand up and say, “The Holy Spirit is here. He showed up the moment I walked in the door today!”
I don’t mean that in an arrogant way at all. The same thing is true in any place, where any believer is present.
If you are a Christian, you don’t need the Holy Spirit to fill your heart. He’s already there.
You don’t need Him to come and rest on you or to fill the place you are in. He already rests in you and is therefore in the room with you.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS AT WORK ALL THE TIME
I mentioned earlier how I’ve been in various corporate worship environments where the Holy Spirit moved powerfully in my life and in the lives of others. He often does that. Corporate worship is important.
However, corporate worship is not the only place or time the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives.
I’ve been moved to tears while driving down the road and listening to a worship song.
I’ve felt the Spirit grab my attention when I’ve been out on a walk or a run.
He’s stirred up my emotions when I’ve been blessed in an encouraging conversation with someone.
The Spirit has revealed truth to me when I’ve been all alone and reading Scripture.
There have even been times when I’m not even looking for Him, but all of a sudden something catches my attention and I hear His gentle, loving voice whisper something to me in my own spirit. I didn’t pray for Him to come, He’s just always there and at work in me. He’s always with you and at work in you too.
STOP PRAYING FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT TO COME
Instead of praying for the Holy Spirit to come, trust that He already lives in you. Believe that He is always present. Be aware that He is constantly at work in your lives.
Look for His activity in your life in all places and at all times, but know that even when you aren’t looking for it, He will often surprise you and shower you with His love, grace, mercy, and truth.
Now, if you’ve never put your faith and trust in Jesus, then by all means, pray for the Holy Spirit to come. Ask Jesus to forgive you based on His finished work on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins. Ask Him to come dwell in you and be with you forever. He will do it, and you will never have to ask again.
