Acts 2:4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and
began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (NIV)
Almost thirty years ago, I visited a university town in Spain called Valladolid
(pronounced 'baya-dolith). It was originally a castle town and had some
beautiful medieval buildings, cathedrals and colleges all over it. I was there
with a friend of mine who had once trained to be a priest. We were visiting his
old haunts and he introduced me to a lot of good Spanish people.
One evening, we went to a school building, where many people gathered together
for prayer. Handicapped persons, people in wheelchairs, and all sorts of sick
people were at the meeting. We sat in a circle, and the priest, who was leading
the group, began to pray. Other people followed him and then I spoke my prayer.
It was in English because I didn't have enough Spanish to put a sentence
together. After I prayed, the priest interpreted and re-prayed my prayer. Once
he had finished, a holy hush fell upon the room, and then, suddenly, people
began singing in tongues.
I had never experienced anything like this before. It was beautiful and
everyone, even those who were sick or sitting in wheelchairs joined in. The
sound was like a hundred songs being sung at the same time, with different
melodies and rhythms, but they harmonized perfectly. Then things began to
quieten down, and after another time of silence, people started to go home.
It was a profound experience and one that I have never encountered again. The
only explanation I can give is that the Holy Spirit descended upon all of us,
and gave us a great gift of angelic song that evening. One glorious day, I hope
to sing like that again, in the heavenly halls of glory, with millions upon
millions of people and angels.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit amongst us and for
giving Your Church a wonderful source of comfort and counsel, guidance and love.
Fill our hearts with Your Holy Spirit and lead us by His presence in our lives.
In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
John Stuart
traqair@aol.com
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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