Artesian Springs

Scotty Smith:  A Prayer for Pentecost Sunday

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Rev. 22:17

Blessed Holy Spirit, it’s Pentecost Sunday, and how appropriate to be meditating on the last command in the Bible—the final invitation in which you beckon believers and non-believers alike: “Come, thirsty ones! Come, desiring ones! Come and take the free gift of the water of life.”

How we praise you for constantly preaching the gospel to our hearts and to the nations—making much of Jesus and helping us see how much we need the grace of God. Even to the very end of history, you will continue faithfully to do so. By your power, I remain redemptively thirsty. I have deep desire you alone can meet. I do come once again, gratefully and expectantly.

On the day you first convinced me of my need for Jesus and gave me gave me faith to trust him, you created an unquenchable thirst in my heart for more of the water of life—the artesian springs of eternal life. By your doing, I have discovered how the bitter waters of sin only make me sick; the deceiving waters of my broken cisterns satisfy me ever so briefly; and the illusionary waters of countless mirages are just that—empty illusions. I’ve paid a great price for all of these deadly waters, but the life-renewing water Jesus gives is absolutely free! Hallelujah!

So once again, I bring my ever-present thirst to you. I’m thirsty to know Jesus better and better. I’m thirsty to be quicker in my repentances and slower in my excuses. I’m thirsty to grow more of your fruit and less of my thorns. I’m thirsty to be freer to love others as Jesus loves us. Slake these thirsts by the water of the gospel, and then intensify them again and again.

I’m thirsty for the life we will enjoy in new heaven and new earth—where every magnificent promise God has made will be wondrously fulfilled. I’m thirsty for the wedding feast of the Lamb, when the Bride will no longer say, “Come!” but will say, “We’re here, all of us—the entire pan-national family of God!” I’m thirsty for the day of no longer knowing in part—the day when the knowledge of God’s glory will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. I’m thirsty for the day of no more thirst. Hasten that Day.

Indeed, on this Pentecost Sunday, we hear you, and we come and we cry, “Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us!” So very Amen, we pray in the fullness and faithfulness of Jesus’ name.