O Lord Send the Power Just Now and Baptize Every One
O Lord Send the Power Just Now and Baptize Every One
Introduction
This powerful hymn, “O Lord Send the Power Just Now” by Charles D. Tillman, speaks of the day when the Holy Ghost descended upon the early believers. They were gathered in an upper chamber with one accord, waiting for the promise of the Father. The same power that came with rushing wind and tongues of fire is available to us today. Let us meditate on these truths and ask God to send His power just now to every heart.
Original Hymn Text
They were in an upper chamber
They were all with one accord
When the Holy Ghost descended
Who was promised by our Lord
Refrain
O Lord, send the power just now
Jesus, send the power just now
God, send the power just now
And baptize every one
Yes, the power from Heaven descended
With the sound of rushing wind
Tongues of fire came down upon them
As the Lord said He would send
Yes this old-time power was given
To our fathers who were true
He is promised to believers
And we all may have Him too
It is possible to grieve Him
And to quench His Presence too
And if He doesn’t live within you
Humbly ask Him to fill you
O Lord*, send Your Spirit just now
Jesus, send Your Spirit just now
O Lord, send Your Spirit just now
And baptize even me
By Charles D. Tillman (arr. by Robert Evans)
▶ Lord Send the Power (video)
1. O Lord Send the Power Just Now: A Cry for Today
The refrain of this hymn is a desperate cry for God to act immediately, not tomorrow or next week. O Lord send the power just now means we need the Holy Spirit’s power in this present moment without any delay. Many Christians live on yesterday’s experiences, remembering what God did years ago but lacking fresh power today.
The disciples did not ask for a memory of Pentecost, but for the power itself to fill them right then. This prayer is for now, for this situation, for this need that you are facing at this very hour. Do not wait for a better time or a more spiritual season to ask for His power.
2. They Were in an Upper Chamber with One Accord
The first verse describes the setting where the Holy Ghost first descended upon the waiting disciples. They were in an upper chamber, away from the noise and distractions of the busy city streets below. They were all with one accord, meaning their hearts were united in purpose, love, and expectation without any division.
Unity among believers is not just a nice idea, but it is the atmosphere where the Holy Spirit loves to come and dwell. If you want to see the power of God in your church or family, seek unity with others. The upper chamber is any place where believers set aside their differences and wait together for God.
3. The Holy Ghost Descended as Promised by Our Lord
The verse continues by reminding us that this event did not happen by accident or chance at any time. The Holy Ghost descended, who was promised by our Lord, meaning Jesus Himself guaranteed that the Spirit would come. Before He left the earth, Jesus told His disciples to wait for the promise of the Father, which they had heard from His own lips.
God always keeps His promises, and if He promised the Holy Spirit, you can be certain He will deliver. The same Lord who kept His promise to those early believers will keep His promise to you today. You do not need to doubt or fear, because His word is faithful and true forever.
4. O Lord Send the Power Just Now and Baptize Every One
The refrain ends with a specific request that covers every person who is seeking God with a sincere heart. And baptizing everyone means the power is not just for pastors, leaders, or especially holy people. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is for every believer who asks, regardless of their background, education, or social status.
In the upper chamber, the Spirit fell on all of them, not just on the twelve apostles or the most faithful among them. God does not show favoritism, and He does not hold back His power from those who truly seek Him. Ask for yourself, but also ask for everyone, so that no one would be left out of this blessing.
5. The Power from Heaven Descended with Rushing Wind
The second verse describes the dramatic arrival of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost long ago. The power from heaven descended with the sound of rushing wind, a noise so loud it drew crowds from all over Jerusalem. Wind represents the invisible, powerful, uncontrollable movement of the Spirit of God throughout the earth.
You cannot see the wind itself, but you can see its effects as it moves leaves, branches, and everything in its path. The Holy Spirit is like that, sometimes quiet, sometimes strong, but always moving and always powerful. When He comes, things change, people are transformed, and the atmosphere shifts from ordinary to supernatural.
6. Tongues of Fire Came Down Upon Them as Promised
The verse continues with another supernatural sign that accompanied the descent of the Holy Spirit long ago. Tongues of fire came down upon them, resting on each believer present in that upper room on that day. Fire represents purification, passion, and the visible presence of God, like the burning bush that Moses saw.
This fire did not burn them physically, but it burned away their fear, their doubt, and their selfishness completely. When the Holy Spirit comes as fire, your cold heart becomes hot with love for God and for lost souls everywhere. Ask God to send that same fire upon you today, not to harm you but to change you from the inside out.
7. This Old Time Power Was Given to Our True Fathers
The third verse connects us to our spiritual ancestors who walked with God in previous generations. Yes, this old-time power was given to our true fathers, meaning the same power is not new or different today. What happened in the book of Acts is not just a story for us to admire from a distance as ancient history.
The power that enabled Peter to preach and Stephen to die with joy is the same power available to you right now. Our true fathers did not have anything special that you cannot have, because God is no respecter of persons. If they received the old-time power, you can receive it too by the same faith and the same promise.
8. He Is Promised to Believers, and We All May Have Him Too
The verse continues with a glorious promise that removes every excuse for living without the power of God. He is promised to believers, which means the Holy Spirit is not an option or a luxury for super-spiritual Christians. A believer is anyone who has trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation, regardless of how long they have walked with Him.
And we all may have Him too means there are no exceptions, no waiting lists, and no qualifications beyond simple faith. You do not need to be perfect, or to have all your problems solved, or to reach a certain level of holiness. You just need to believe the promise and ask the Giver to fill you with His Spirit today.
9. It Is Possible to Grieve Him and Quench His Presence, Too
The fourth verse gives a serious warning that every believer should take to heart with humility and care. It is possible to grieve Him and to quench His Presence, too, meaning our actions and attitudes can affect our relationship with the Spirit. Grieving the Spirit happens when we sin knowingly, hold onto bitterness, or speak words that are not pleasing to God.
Quenching the Spirit happens when we resist His leading, ignore His promptings, or prefer our comfort over His power. This warning is not meant to make you afraid, but to make you attentive and careful about how you live. Do not treat the Holy Spirit as an impersonal force, but as a divine Person who can be saddened and silenced.
10. If He Doesn’t Live Within You, Humbly Ask Him to Fill You
The verse ends with a practical solution for anyone who realizes they are missing the Spirit’s presence. And if He doesn’t live within you, humbly ask Him to fill you, which means the answer is simple but requires genuine humility. Asking humbly means coming to God not with pride or demands, but with an open heart that knows its need.
You do not need to shout or perform religious rituals to receive the Spirit, because He is a gift given freely to those who ask. Humility is the posture that opens heaven, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. If you have never been filled with the Spirit, or if you have drifted away, ask Him again today with a humble and honest heart.
11. O Lord Send Your Spirit Just Now and Baptize Even Me
The final refrain personalizes the prayer so that it is not just for others but for your own soul. O Lord send Your Spirit just now and baptize even me, which means making the general promise specific to your own life. It is easy to pray for revival for the church, for the city, or for other people who need God’s power in their lives.
But the hard question is, do you want the Spirit for yourself, even if no one else receives anything at all? When you say baptize even me, you are putting yourself in the place of need and opening your heart to receive personally. This is the prayer that God always answers, because He is more willing to give the Spirit than earthly fathers are to give good gifts to their children.
12. O Lord Send the Power Just Now: A Daily Prayer for Every Believer
The entire hymn comes down to this simple prayer that can be repeated every morning and every evening without exception. O Lord, send the power; just now is not a prayer for one special occasion, but a daily cry for fresh filling from above. Yesterday’s power is not enough for today’s battles, and today’s power will not be enough for tomorrow’s challenges that are coming.
The disciples did not receive the Spirit once and then never needed Him again, but they were filled repeatedly for each new situation. Make this prayer your habit each morning before you face the world, and each evening before you rest your weary head. The Spirit is still being poured out, and He is still waiting for you to ask, so do not delay another moment. Send the power just now, O Lord, and baptize even me, for I need You more than words can say.
Recommendations
- First, pray every morning, “O Lord send the power just now,” before you start your daily activities and responsibilities.
- Second, seek unity with other believers in your church and family, because the Spirit descends where there is one accord.
- Third, remember that the Holy Spirit is a Person who can be grieved, so watch your words and actions carefully each day.
- Fourth, do not live on yesterday’s experiences, but ask for fresh power from God every single morning without fail.
- Fifth, if you have never been baptized with the Holy Spirit, humbly ask Him to fill you right now without any delay.
- Sixth, personalize the prayer by saying “baptize even me” and make the promise your own personal possession today.
Conclusion
This hymn, “O Lord Send the Power Just Now” by Charles D. Tillman, calls us back to the upper room experience that changed the world forever. The same Holy Spirit who descended with rushing wind and tongues of fire is still being poured out on believers today.
You do not need to wait for a special meeting or a particular preacher to receive His power in your life. Just come with a humble heart, ask Him to fill you, and believe that He keeps His promises to those who ask. O Lord send the power just now, baptize everyone, and baptize even me. Amen.
More Hymns
- Lord I Need You
- Fill Me Now, Jesus come
- Have I Done My Best For Jesus?
- Jesus keep Me Near the Cross
- Tell it to Jesus He is a Friend
- Sweet Hour of Prayer
- Throw Out the Life Line
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