Holy Spirit - Breath of GodMuestra

HONEST PRAYER

“Repentance – facing up to ourselves as honestly as we can, turning toward Christ with open hands, and accepting his personal love – creates the space for God’s Spirit to do this deep inner work.” — TREVOR HUDSON

Ephesians 5:18 instructs us to “be filled with the Spirit.” When we yield to the flesh, conform to worldly ways, or succumb to the devil’s lies, we grieve the Holy Spirit. But, when we ask for the Spirit’s help, walk in obedience, and believe the truths of Jesus, we become filled with the Holy Spirit.

“I don’t want my life to be explainable without the Holy Spirit … I don’t believe God wants me (or any of his children) to live in a way that makes sense from the world’s perspective, a way I know I can ‘manage’ … If we never pray audacious, courageous prayers, how can he answer them? If we never follow him to positions where we need him, how can he show up and make his presence known? … No matter where you live and what your days look like, you have the choice each day to depend on yourself, to live safely, and to try to control your life. Or you can live as you were created to live—as a temple of the Holy Spirit of God, as a person dependent on him, desperate for God the Spirit to show up and make a difference.” —Francis Chan, The Forgotten God

PRAYER EXERCISES

Invite the Holy Spirit to help you do the two following prayer exercises:

1) Write out a prayer of gratitude for the Holy Spirit and repentance to the Holy Spirit.

2) Out loud – pray this prayer called ‘God the Spirit’ from the prayer book, The Valley of Vision.

I pray not so much for graces as for the Spirit himself, because I feel his absence, and act by my own spirit in everything. Give me not weak desires but the power of his presence, for this is the surest way to have all his graces, and when I have the seal I have the impression also; he can heal, help, quicken, humble suddenly and easily, can work grace and life efectually, and being eternal he can give grace eternally. Save me from great hindrances, from being content with a little measure of the Spirit, from thinking thou wilt not give me more.