The New Room is sharing a Friday reflection each week. We hope that these short reflections will act as a point of spiritual focus, enabling a moment of quiet thought and prayer.

Today’s Friday Reflection is from Revd Steve Wild. For the last thirteen years Steve has been the Chair of the Cornwall and Isle of Scilly District and was President of the Conference in 2015. He has a passion for mission and heritage he is honoured to be a Trustee of the New Room visiting it first in 1973. Born in Lancashire, Steve previously was a printer and a Pontins Blue Coat before entering the Methodist ministry. He was a tutor at Cliff College and Director of Evangelism for the Methodist Connexion. He is married to Laura, an artist, and they have three daughters.

Acts 2 1. When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

As we come to the end of Ascensiontide we are about to celebrate the festival of Pentecost known as the ‘Birthday of the Church’. We need to reflect on this amazing account of the early disciples, an intense spiritual experience. It transformed them instead of being locked in a room afraid they went out telling everybody the good news.

There is an account of New Year’s Day, 1739. When John Wesley, his brother, Charles, his friend, George Whitfield, and about sixty others, who were members of a group known as the Fetter Lane Society, were gathered together for a New Year’s Eve watch night service. Here’s how Wesley describes what happened.

“About three o’clock in the morning, as we were continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried out for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground. As soon as we were recovered a little from that awe and amazement at the presence of His Majesty, we broke out with one voice, We praise Thee, O God; we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.”

This type of experience still occurs I spent some time recently with one of my Supernumerary ministers to share the Lords Supper together in his Nursing Home like Wesley “the power of God came mightily upon us,” it had been over twelve months since he had received. Leaving this building I certainly felt transformed.

The Lord is at work today and we can be open to his loving presence wherever we are leaving us to ‘acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.’

Prayer

Thank you Lord that the promise of the Holy Spirit is that you shall be with us always – may we be aware of your care today.

In Jesus name Amen.