COME HOLY SPIRIT

"Come Holy Spirit" is a stirring anthem of revival, often sung during Pentecost or when a congregation gathers to pray for renewal. John W. Peterson’s text walks us through the history of the Church, starting from the upper room at Pentecost and moving through the early martyrs, the Reformation, and the great awakenings. It reminds us that the same Spirit who empowered the early Christians to preach fearlessly is still at work.

For a choir, the power of this piece lies in its narrative build. We sing of historical triumphs—believers winning the lost and facing lions—before turning the focus inward to our present moment. The refrain shifts from storytelling to an urgent, collective prayer: "Dark is the hour, we need your filling." It is an excellent choice for a Pentecost Sunday Mass or a confirmation service, inviting the congregation to ask God to revive His Church today just as He did in ages past.