Day 2: Access by the Spirit

Daily Flow

Set aside unhurried time. If the day feels full, do not skip—simply slow down as much as you are able.

1. Opening Scripture Read the passage slowly and prayerfully.

2. Devotional Reflection Read the short teaching for the day. Allow the truth to settle in your heart.

3. The Examen Pause and reflect using the questions provided. Write brief responses as you are able.

4. Lectio Divina Read the Scripture out loud slowly, emphasizing different words or phrases to meditate on the different aspects of the passage.

5. Prayer Prompt Respond to God in prayer.

Opening Scripture

Ephesians 2:18 (NIV)

18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Devotional Reflection

We desire our response to God’s effort to draw near to us to be an effort to move closer to Him. However, this is not something we can accomplish on our own. Only the Holy Spirit can give us access to true intimacy with God.

Christ made this possible by giving His life in our place for the forgiveness of sin. Sin separates us from God, and because God is just, He will not punish us for sin when that punishment has already fallen on Christ. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are trusting that His death was fully sufficient on our behalf.

This faith opens our hearts to receive the Holy Spirit, who then leads us into the presence of God.

Intimacy with God is not possible without Christ’s sacrifice and the gifts that accompany it—the gift of salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit. If we desire to draw nearer to God, we must intentionally direct our minds and hearts toward Christ’s love displayed on the cross and His power over sin, death, and hell revealed in the resurrection.

This focus keeps us in a posture of seeking Him with our hearts and honoring Him with our lives. It is here, in step with the Spirit, that we are drawn closer to God.

To experience deeper intimacy with God, we must first have faith in Jesus Christ—that His death saved us from the just punishment our sin deserved. Through this faith, we receive Him as our Savior and commit ourselves to serve Him as our Lord.

If you have never taken this step of faith, do so now.

Prayer of Faith

Lord Jesus, I confess my sin to You, and I receive Your death as the only way I could escape the consequences of my sin. Today, I place my faith in You as my Savior and commit myself to You as my Lord. Amen.

If you have already placed your faith in Christ, but recognize the need for deeper pursuit, pray this prayer.

Prayer of Renewal

Lord Jesus, I know You as my Savior, but I have not always lived as if You are my Lord. Help me, by Your Spirit, to discipline my life toward daily pursuit of Your love and a stronger commitment to honor Your sacrifice for me. Amen.

The Examen

1. Where did I rely on my own effort today instead of trusting the Holy Spirit to draw me nearer to God?

2. What might it look like for me to respond more fully to Christ’s sacrifice with greater surrender and devotion?

Lectio Divina Scripture

Read the passage slowly, out loud, several times. With each reading, emphasize a different word or phrase to meditate on the passage from many different perspectives to hear God speak to you.

1 Corinthians 2:12 (NIV)

12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

Prayer Prompt

Holy Spirit, help me to depend on You rather than my own strength. Draw me deeper into the presence of the Father, and teach me to live in grateful response to Christ’s sacrifice. Amen.