On this Pentecost Sunday, as we celebrate the birthday of the church, I want to teach you a simple and yet potentially powerful prayer. It goes like this ... "Veni, Spiritus Sanctus, Veni," or as the Germans would say it, "Komm Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott." In English it is simply, "Come, Holy Spirit, come."

There is no prayer in German, Greek, English, Swahilli, or Latin more powerful than this — "Veni, Spiritus Sanctus, Veni." This prayer opens us to the Holy Spirit, who comes, fills, and leads our lives. For when the Holy Spirit appears, the miracle of new life, renewal, and dynamis (power) breaks loose. "Come, Holy Spirit, come!"

A ship strayed off course near San Deigo some years ago. The ship got stuck in a reef at low tide. Twelve tugboats failed in their attempts to move it. Final…