Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love only what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.
Christians frequently talk about God and Jesus Christ but not the Holy Spirit. Why? This should be a critical facet of our belief. If faith was a three-legged stool; each leg would represent God. God, the Creator, God in Jesus Christ and God in the Holy Spirit. Each leg is important. Without all three the stool falls. So, understanding and appreciating the third leg, God’s Holy Spirit is a crucial part of our faith.
Jesus said: “If you love Me, obey My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.” (John 14:15-17) So, how do we understand and appreciate what Jesus means by this Advocate who will never leave you, the Holy Spirit who leads into all truth?
Saint Augustine wrote, “Prayer to the Holy Spirit.” Within this beautiful prayer, I discovered answers and a valuable aid that helps me better understand and appreciate this precious gift of God, the Advocate who will never leave, the Holy Spirit who leads into all truth.
The first part of each line points to what the
Holy Spirit does.
- Breathe in me
- Act in me
- Draw my heart
- Strengthen me
- Guard me
The last part of each line is what will happen because God’s Holy Spirit is
within me.
- …that my thoughts may all be holy.
- …that my work too may be holy.
- …that I love only what is holy.
- …to defend all that is holy.
- …that
I may always be holy.
As you struggle to live out your daily life; the Holy Spirit is there to breathe into you and act within you. As you battle the day to day temptations that prevent you from being what God wants; the Holy Spirit is there to draw your heart, to strengthen you, to guard you.
“O Holy Spirit: breathe in me; act in me; draw my heart; strengthen me; guard me. Today, I want to be guided by You, the “Advocate” Jesus promised. Through the power of God’s Holy Spirit; may my thoughts be more holy; may my works be more holy; may I love only what is holy; may I defend all that is holy; may I always be holy. Amen.”
For further study and Small Groups
Title: Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Who Am I? Prayer is such a critical Advocate part of who we are. When did you first learn about the Holy Spirit?
Follow Up from last week: What action steps have you taken from your commitments last week?
Key Scripture: Jesus said: “If you love Me, obey My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.” (John 14:15-17)
Scripture Notes: In chapters 14-17 of the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks to his disciples at their last supper. Soon, Jesus will be arrested, tried, crucified and buried. Jesus would soon leave the disciples, or would he? These four chapters are such a crucial part of the Gospel of John, it would be good preparation to read all four chapters. In chapter 14 Jesus makes a promise that an Advocate, the Holy Spirit will be with them. Jesus will not abandon them. The Holy Spirit will be within them and us.
What’s the Point? In the center of each line of the prayer, in the middle of every part of our daily lives is The Holy Spirit. We stand in awe of God who created the universe. We are forever transformed by Jesus Christ who died on the cross and rose again. But there is another Advocate who will never leave us, who will lead us into all truth: The Holy Spirit.
Questions:
- Read all of John Chapter 14 and discuss areas implying or directly mentioning the Holy Spirit.
- What does Jesus mean when he promises to send an Advocate, the Holy Spirit?
- How is The Holy Spirit the third leg on our stool of faith?
- How has the Holy Spirit shaped your life and faith?
- Say Saint Augustine’s prayer to the Holy Spirit together, out loud. How does this prayer help you fully appreciate the work and influence of The Holy Spirit?
- What must change for the Holy Spirit to become a greater influence in your life?
From Study to Action: Covenant to pray Saint Augustine’s prayer to the Holy Spirit each day for thirty days. This could become a habit that deepens your faith and profoundly influences your life.
