In preparation for Pentecost, our parish entered into 9 days of prayer under the theme: Empowered by the Holy Spirit from May 15 to May 23, 2026. We reflected daily on how the Spirit equips and transforms us for God’s mission.
Day 1: Empowered for Guidance and Truth
Rev. Fr Lawrence Acheampong Ayori opened our Novena by teaching that the Holy Spirit is our divine guide. As Jesus promised in John 16:13, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” In John 14:26 the Scripture says, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” And Romans 8:14 assures us, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”
Our prayer focus was to ask the Spirit to guide our decisions this week and to make God’s truth clear in our hearts.
Day 2: Empowered to Witness
Rev. Fr Lawrence Acheampong Ayori continued on Day 2, reminding us that the Spirit gives boldness to witness. In Acts 1:8, Jesus says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.” The early church lived this in Acts 4:31: “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” We saw this boldness in Acts 13:2-4 as the Spirit set apart Paul and Barnabas, and in Acts 8:29-40 as Philip was led to the Ethiopian eunuch. This is the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1-2 and Luke 4:18: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news.”
We prayed for courage to speak about Christ and for opportunities to witness.
Day 3: Empowered to Bear Fruits
V. Rev. Fr James Annor Ohene led us to reflect on the character the Spirit produces in us. Galatians 5:22-23 lists them: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Ephesians 5:9 adds, “for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.” And Colossians 3:12-14 calls us to “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience... And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Our prayer focus was to ask the Spirit to grow His fruit in our lives for the good of others.
Day 4: Empowered to Serve
V. Rev. Fr Mathias Ackah taught on the Spirit’s gifts for service. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 tells us, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them... To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge... All these are the work of one and the same Spirit.” Romans 12:6-8 urges us: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us... if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach.” And Ephesians 4:11-12 explains that Christ “gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service.”
We prayed for the Spirit to reveal our gifts and where to serve in the Body of Christ.
Day 5: Empowered for New Life
Mr. Benedict Ofori spoke on the Spirit’s power to make us new. Through Ezekiel’s prophecy in Ezekiel 36:26-27: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you... And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees.” This is fulfilled in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Titus 3:5 reminds us, “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Romans 8:11 declares, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he... will also give life to your mortal bodies.” We are called in Romans 12:2, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” and in Ephesians 5:8, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”
Our prayer was for the Spirit to renew our minds and transform us.
Day 6: Empowered to Overcome Suffering
V. Rev Fr Mathias Ackah returned to teach on strength in trials. Romans 8:18 gives hope: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” And Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 says, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed... always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed.” Finally, 1 Peter 4:14: “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
We brought our hardships to God, asking for the Spirit’s power to endure.
Day 7: Empowered for Unity and Communion in the Body of Christ
V. Rev Fr James Annor Ohene spoke on the Spirit’s work of unity. 1 Corinthians 12:13 teaches, “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body.” Ephesians 4:3-6 urges us to “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit... one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all.” And Galatians 3:28 proclaims, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile... for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
We prayed for healing of divisions and for deeper love in our church family.
Day 8: Empowered by the Spirit’s Intercession
Mr. Benedict Ofori closed the teaching days with a message on prayer. Romans 8:26-27 comforts us: “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans... in accordance with the will of God.” Ephesians 6:18 calls us to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers.” And Jude 1:20 says, “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.”
Our prayer focus was to sit in silence before God, trusting the Holy Spirit to pray through us.
Day 9: Pentecost Vigil Mass
Our Novena culminated with the Pentecost Vigil Mass on Saturday, May 23, 2026. V. Rev Fr James Annor Ohene was the main celebrant, leading us as we kept watch in prayer for the coming of the Holy Spirit, just as the apostles did with Mary in the Upper Room. It was a night of worship, Scripture, and anticipation of Pentecost.
On Pentecost Sunday, 24th May 2026, the Church celebrated her birthday with a solemn Mass. His Lordship, Most Rev Dominic Yeboah Nyarko was the main celebrant. In a powerful outpouring of grace, 96 catechumens received the Sacrament of Confirmation, sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit to be Christ’s witnesses in the world.
May we continue to live each day Empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the power of your love!
