Acts 1: 8 …you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere— 14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer…

2:1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place… 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit…

Have you heard the word? Many of the Braddock Baptist family have agreed to join me in prayer over the last couple of weeks and up to Pentecost Sunday, specifically praying with expectation of a fresh touch of power from the Holy Spirit. We are using this time to build unity, courage and humility in being living witnesses for God in carrying out his commandment to tell all people about God, our loving Savior.

The first area of concern for prayer: I have asked you to pray for yourself. Pray that the Lord will give you boldness (power) to be witness of his work in your lives. This includes being bold in sharing your own testimony, which many of you are doing even now in our Wednesday evening service. Some have in just a couple of minutes shared 1) what their life was like before they became a Christ follower, 2) what precipitated them recognizing their need for a savior, and then 3) the difference it has made in their lives. Several who have grown up in the church and cannot remember a time without Christ, are using this opportunity to tell of a trying time in their life when Christ came along side of them and helped them make it through. Trust me, it will be a blessing to you and the person who hears the testimony of what God is doing in your life. In addition to this I have asked that you pray for me, that I will be bold as well.

Our second area of prayer concern is one of recognizing the work the Lord has done in the past. Pray for the people who have been part of this great church in the past. This church has grown great disciples in Christ who have now gone on to serve Him in other congregations or areas – still making a real difference in Christ’s Kingdom. Remind yourself of the great things the Lord has done; counting your blessings naming them one by one, and you will be refreshed in what the Lord has done. We also know that the good work that God has begun here, He will continue to see it through until the return of our Lord.

Our final prayer request is as we look over the field, seeing it to be ready for harvesting, pray for labors of the harvest. I have asked you to pray for three people you know that need to come into relationship with Jesus our Lord. In addition, be willing to share the comfort you have come to experience on your journey with God. While attending the “Compelled to Love” conference this last weekend, the Lord’s Great Commission for us to “go tell” was reconfirmed. Part of the presentation contained survey results showing that the “come see” approach to evangelism used by the majority of U.S. churches is not effective today in reaching those who do not know Christ. The good news is that the “go tell” approach is very effective - that the majority of the people in this country are very interested in spiritual issues and will “come with” someone with whom they have formed a relationship. On Pentecost Sunday I pray the Holy Spirit will refresh us with a renewed power of boldness and that His Spirit will flow through us as we “Go Tell” - reaching out in friendship and telling others what we have come to love and experience as our hope in a difficult world - our Savior and lord Jesus Christ.