Fifty days after Easter, the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles, causing them to speak in tongues. Following the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Church grew by 3,000 people (Acts 2:41) on that day. This occasion brought about the Feast of Pentecost celebrated annually on the fiftieth day after Easter. As Christians look forward to welcoming and receiving the Holy Spirit once more on June 5, 2022, the Feast of Pentecost, BETTY AMUKPO tasked some children on how to attract the Holy Spirit to continuously dwell in them. Excerpts:
‘Obeying the Ten Commandments’
Abiding in the words of Jesus means to remain and continue listening to what God tells us to do. You can abide in the words of Jesus by:
• Obeying the Ten Commandments.
• Listening to the word of God through His Priest at Mass and following through.
• Trying to abstain from sins.
• Doing good.
• Studying the Bible.
• Ebubechukwu Chinedu
‘Repent and trust God always’
If you want the Holy Spirit to abide in you, you should abide by the following instructions:
• Read the Bible always.
• Ask God to give you the grace to keep His commandments.
• Repent and trust God always.
• Learn to study the Gospel always.
• Pray always.
• Chibueze Mercy
‘Attending catechism and Mass in order to learn more about the words of God’
By attending catechism and Mass in order to learn more about the words of God. Also sitting in the front of our Reverend Fathers in order to learn more. Honouring and respecting my parents. By praying against sin and moving away from what will make me to sin. By being righteous and following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ….
• Eyinade Gideon
‘Keep a habit of constant close communion with God always’
To abide in Christ means to keep up a habit of constant close communion with Him to be always leaning on Him, resting on Him, pouring out our hearts to Him, and relating with Him as our fountain of life and strength, as our chief companion and best friend. In order to accomplish this I will remain faithful, pray my rosary and give alms to the poor. And in doing these, I pray the Holy Spirit will continue to dwell in me.
• Barnabas Awaki
‘Read my Bible regularly and put it into practice’
By abiding in the words of Jesus, I will read my Bible regularly and put it into practice. I will pray regularly as well. I will try to attend mass daily and receive Holy Communion. By doing the above the Holy Spirit will continuously dwell in me.
• Favour Okoroafor
‘Follow in the footsteps of God and be committed to the service of my God’
I will be obedient to my parents. I will study the words of God daily and pray every day and night. I will be an obedient child to my elders. And make sure to do the right thing at all times by shunning every sin and evil. I will be diligent in my work to make my parents and teachers proud. I will follow in the footsteps of God and be committed to the service of my God.
• Blossom Akalezi
‘Be faithful to Him’
I can abide in the Lord every single day by making intentional decisions to be faithful to Him. This may look like dedicating time to read the Scripture or pray, being in communion with the Church, and rejecting temptation to fight sin and Holy Spirit works in us by peeling away our sinful characteristics and replacing them with godly characteristics. His work in us makes us more and more like Jesus.
• Angel Adigwe
‘Drawing from His words – meditating on it, believing it, clinging to it’
By reading the scripture slowly for a key phrase that touches me. Drawing from His words – meditating on it, believing it, clinging to it, resting on it, praying in response to my hearing and focusing my life upon it. It’s like constantly refreshing me with the living water. We are renewed and have eternal life because of it. For, we have to receive the word and believe it. Then we have to live within its parameters and stay in connection with our Saviour Jesus so we continue to draw that life-giving sustenance from Him through the Holy Spirit.
• Francisca Ikhelowa
