Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God.

Then Peter asked, “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days.
Acts 10:44-48

Dear God, tonight is the night. The nonprofit for which I am the director is having its fundraising dinner tonight for 280 guests, and I am nervous. I guess the question is, what am I nervous about? I have a few choices:

• Will we raise enough money?
• Will people have a good time?
• Will those there like me?
• Will the board members there be impressed with me?

These are the wrong things to be nervous about, but I confess it is where my heart can go very easily. Will it be a success on paper and touch my insecurities?

My wife asked me last night how she could pray for me, and I confessed all of this to her—not that she didn’t already know. Then I asked her to pray that your Holy Spirit would envelop the room. That you would touch hearts. That you would inspire people to love you more and love their neighbors as themselves. That I would decrease and the people there would only see you. That you will change lives.

I see this passage from Acts 10 and I realize Peter was in a lot the same position I am in. He is the carrier of the message. He is the human channel for you to use. But what it’s really about is making way for the Holy Spirit to move and work. Even the Jews who traveled with Peter were amazed and changed. You touched every life in that room that day including Peter’s.

Father, I guess I will start with me. Please touch my life tonight. Change me. Teach me. Use me as your channel to love others. Be glorified in my words. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, oh, Lord. For your glory, not mine. My utmost for your highest. Let your Holy Spirit touch each heart in that room tonight, including mine. Oh, Lord, my Lord, I know you hear my cry. Let this night make a difference in lives there tonight, but also beyond into our community and world.

I offer all of this to you in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen