I was about 19. Somebody had given me a book about people’s testimonies.

My Bible: reasons to believe in the power of the Bible

‘I was about 19. Somebody had given me a book about people’s testimonies. All of them had talked about the Holy Spirit coming into their lives and the difference that it made. I didn’t know how the Holy Spirit came into your life. I opened the Bible and read Luke 11.13, which talks about giving your child the food that they ask for, and then says, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

‘The revelation was that all I had to do was ask. So then I asked, kneeling down by my rusty old bed. Nothing happened and I was a bit disappointed. A few months later I was at a Bible college on a two-week holiday. A real fear came over me and I realised just how awful sin was. I hadn’t really understood how terrible it was until then. 

‘I walked down to the beach and the Holy Spirit said, “Ask now” and he said that no matter where I went, I would never feel that fear again. I was flooded with joy when that happened and danced up the beach, and I have never been afraid since. It’s made all the difference.’