Current Prayers

Calendar of Prayer Feb 23

 

PRAYERS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD FOR THE GRACE OF HOLINESS

 

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 but what is holy.

Strengthen me O Holy Spirit,

to defend all that is holy.

Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,

that I always may be holy.

(A prayer of St. Augustine of Hippo)

 

We worship you, mysterious Holy Spirit of God.

We may only guess, as best we can,

who you are for us.

We call you by human names and words

so that we need not be entirely silent.

We open up our hearts to receive you

that we may learn how deeply

and invisibly you are present everywhere.

You are the air we breathe,

the distance we gaze into,

the space that surrounds us.

We pray to you, Spirit of God, creator,

complete the work you have begun,

prevent the evil we are capable of doing

and inspire us towards what is good.

(A prayer of Huub Oosterhuis)

 

May it please the supreme and divine Goodness

to give us all abundant grace

ever to know his most holy will

and perfectly to fulfil it.

(A prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola)

 

The holy God encircle you and keep you safe;

The mighty God defend you from dangers;

The loving God give you his peace.

(A prayer of David Adam)

 

O blessed Spirit,

the source of all life and all holiness,

enlighten my eyes that I may know thee,

give me grace that I may love thee;

that knowing and loving thee

I may both seek and find thee,

and in thy light may live for ever.

(A prayer of Malcolm Playfoot)

 

JEU D’ESPRIT

Flame dancing Spirit, come,

Sweep us off our feet and

Dance us through our days.

Surprise us with your rhythms,

Dare us to try new steps, explore

New patterns and new partnerships.

Release us from old routines,

To swing in abundant joy

And fearful adventure.

And in the intervals,

Rest us,

In your still centre.

(Ann Lewin)

 

O God, the Creator and Father of all humankind,

who by the Holy Spirit

hast made a diversity of people one

in the confession of thy name:

Lead us, we beseech thee, by the same Spirit

to display to the whole earth

one mind in belief

and one passion for righteousness;

through Jesus Christ out lord.

(Gregorian, translated by Eric Milner-White)

 

May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together — spirit, soul, and body — and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!

The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!

1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24,28, The Message

Awena Carter

References:

David Adam, The Open Gate. 1994 and 2006, London: SPCK

Malcolm L Playfoot, A St Francis Prayer Book. 1941, London: SPCK

Eric Milner-White and GW Briggs, Daily Prayer. 1941, Oxford: Oxford University Press

Ann Lewin, Candles and Kingfishers: Reflections on the journey. 1993, ISBN 0 9512982 3 2

The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterso