Women Of The Upper Room

Dear friends,

Monday night, one day after a celebration of Pentecost, thirty women of diverse backgrounds united in one accord in one place. What mattered to us was that we were all sisters in the family of God our Father, with one heart, one mind, one faith, one Lord. We called the gathering "Women of the Upper Room."

Based on Acts 1: 13-14 in the holy scriptures, the upper room or cenacle, was where the descent of the Holy Spirit happened. Like the disciples, we were making supplication for the Spirit of God to fall in our place that night and for the Lord to have His way with us. All of us had already been baptized in the Holy Spirit but we desired more of Him. We wanted to overflow with confident hope.

A testimony was shared about seeing God's divine orchestration in our daily lives. "As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Is 55:9

"I now will show you the most excellent way...follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts..." 1 Cor 12:31 & 14: 1

A teaching was delivered that focused on how to keep this great gift of the Spirit alive in our hearts:

• "Open the door to Him--be careful not to shut Him out because that grieves Him.
• Empty ourselves of the world and of ourselves because two opposed things can not subsist together.

And on how to receive the fruits of the Holy Spirit:

• Humility--be humble--turn from our self-interests and self-love and our own judgment.
• Submission--to all He wants of us.
• Abandonment--most excellent--desiring His will; whatever He wills." 1

After an hour of fellowship, praise, testimony and teaching we broke into small prayer groups to minister to one another.

"I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands." 2 Tim 1:6

Prayer warriors interceded and asked the Spirit to come in the fullness of power and might.
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-control." 2 Tim 1:7

The Word of God went forth from scripture to confirm God's leading.

"So is my word that goes out...It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose to which I sent it." Is 55:11

We learned from one another as we listened attentively and shared our gifts.

"Listen to my instruction and be wise." Pro. 8:33

The Divine Physician came with gifts of healing.

 

The gift of tears was welcomed.

Inspired, encouraging, uplifting prayers and words went forth taking us to a new level of His glory. "And we....are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Cor 3:18

A scribe in each small group wrote down all that was shared with each woman so she could go home and read and reread what the Lord had spoken to her through her sisters.

"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Rm 15:13

"Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."  2 Tim 1:2

Love,

Sheila

                                       

FOOTNOTES                

1. Father Mark Kirby, O.S.B., translation of a conference for Pentecost by the Benedictine Mother Mectilde de Bar.