Today, we celebrate Pentecost—the day described in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit descended upon the early believers like a rushing wind and tongues of fire. Pentecost marks the birth of the Church, the moment when God’s Spirit was poured out, transforming frightened, uncertain disciples into bold witnesses empowered to share God’s love with the world.
But as we celebrate this historic outpouring of the Spirit, we also remember a profound personal Pentecost in the life of John Wesley, which happened to occur on this exact day: May 24, 1738.
Before that day, Wesley had been striving endlessly to earn God’s favor through strict discipline, good works, and wearying missionary service. He was doing all the right things, but his faith was driven by heavy obligation. Up until that point, he had the salvation of a servant, but here he experienced the salvation of a son.
That evening, while reluctantly attending a small meeting on Aldersgate Street in London, Wesley listened to someone reading the preface to Martin Luther’s commentary on Romans, a description of the change God works in the heart through faith. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit broke through. Wesley famously recorded in his journal that he felt his “heart strangely warmed.” In that moment, the theological became deeply personal. He finally felt the inward assurance that Christ had died for his sins, and he was adopted as a beloved child of God.
Come, Holy Spirit!
As we come to the Lord in prayer, let us ask God for both the bold, church-birthing fire of Pentecost and the quiet, life-changing flame of Aldersgate.
Come, Holy Spirit, and fill us with your love. Open our eyes to see your presence all around us— in the stillness of this sacred space and the noise of our streets, in our highest joys and our deepest struggles.
Come, Holy Spirit, bring wholeness to the sick, comfort to the grieving, and inspire our warring world to seek peace. Give rest to the weary and stir within us a living hope in the mysteries of Christ’s resurrection.
Come, Holy Spirit, and revive your church. Just as your holy fire descended at Pentecost, pour out your Spirit that we might feel our hearts strangely warmed. Grant us the deep assurance of your grace, that we may trust in Christ alone. Liberate us from complacency, transform our minds, and fill us with an overflowing love for you and our neighbors.
Gracious God, give us a glimpse of your kingdom emerging around us. It is for your kingdom that we now pray, filled with your Spirit.