Where His Prayers Are Answered
by Anna Murdock

(Please read Acts 1:4-5 and Acts 2:1-4)

There were 120 gathered in a room, waiting for the “gift” that had been
promised. They had been told by Jesus to wait in Jerusalem, and so they
did. They came together in one place and that place became one of unity
in purpose and obedience. They came to a place of unity in faith and in
trust. They waited in expectation. These disciples and followers would
soon discover that this “place” where they waited was a place where the
Holy Spirit would fill them and where their Lord’s own prayers would be
answered.

A sound like a violent wind filled the whole house and what seemed to be
tongues of fire came to rest on each of them. There was immediate
empowerment of the Holy Spirit. The place where Jesus’ prayers were
answered was not to be found in the square footage of this waiting room. 
This “place” of answered prayers was to be found deep within each
believer. The gift of the Father was given…. and the Church was born.

Moses saw this very same fire, a fire that did not consume the burning
bush, but consumed the remainder of his life. Out of the fire, he heard
the words “you are standing on holy ground.” Out of the fire, he heard
the words “I am God.” Just as the burning bush marked the ground as holy
for Moses, the flame of fire that burned above the disciples’ heads on the
day of Pentecost marks everywhere believers find themselves as “holy
ground.”

Have we forgotten that out of this holy fire, we find ourselves filled
with the Holy Spirit? Do we not remember that where we are, the Spirit
is also?  Do we not realize that we stand in the presence of God? Have
our churches lost the passion of sharing the life-changing love of Jesus
Christ with others? Are we truly allowing the holy winds to fan the
flames of the Holy Spirit within each of us as members of the Body of
Christ? Are we taking that fire, the very presence of God within each of
us into the world? Have we neglected this place where Jesus’ prayers are
answered? Oh, so many questions!

We cannot command the Holy Spirit to fill us with this presence, gifts and
strength. No dynamic preacher, no rallies, no beautiful sanctuaries and
no state-of-the-art, multi-media facilities can will the Spirit to rest
this holy flame upon our hearts. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a
gift from God given to those who believe…to those with willing,
faith-filled hearts. The coming together of these hearts is the
impassioned Church, fueled by the flames of the Holy Spirit and fanned by
holy winds. This is the Church that finds herself witnessing to the
world.

As so, with willing, open-book hearts let us earnestly pray words that
hopefully have become our personal hymn …

Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew,
that I may love what Thou dost love, and do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God, until my heart is pure,
until with Thee I will one will, to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God, till I am wholly Thine,
till all this earthly part of me glows with Thy fire divine.

May we find ourselves in a place of unity, faith and trust and with hearts
that become the place where Jesus’ prayers are answered.

(Comments to Anna at abmurdo@northstate.net.)
Worship Team Leader
Broad Street UMC
Statesville, NC