What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;
or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:11–13
Heavenly Father, as Jesus stressed in the passage, you are generous with everything. The fish we catch, the eggs we eat, and the Spirit we need. You’ve given the Spirit to each of your children, and we long for a more intimate relationship with him.
It was by the Spirit you raised us from death to life, giving us the faith to believe in Jesus. You sealed us with the Holy Spirit—making us yours forever, and marking us as Jesus’ Bride. Through the Spirit, you sing to us every day of your great love and eternal delight. By him you teach us your Word, make us like Jesus, and gift us for service. And there’s so much more to the Spirit’s ministry.
Father, we take your promise seriously. Today, we ask for more of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. We love fish and eggs, but what we need and want is the gift of your Holy Spirit. We have him, may he have more of us.
Surely we’re not as joyful as you intend, as free as you desire, or as loving as you want. Father, we don’t just want a correct theology of the Spirit. We want to be filled, enlivened, renewed, refreshed, and empowered. May it be so. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ glorious and grace-full name.