Novena to the Holy Spirit Nine Days of Prayer for Ascensiontide, Friday 26 May to Saturday 3 June 2017
Text Colin Lunt 2017 colin@lunt.co.uk 2
Hymn: Come Holy Ghost Come Holy Ghost, Creator Blest, And in our hearts take up thy rest, Come with thy grace and heavenly aid To fill the hearts which thou hast made. O Comforter, to thee we cry, Thou heavenly gift of God most high! Thou font of life and fire of love And sweet anointing from above. Drive far away our deadly foe, And peace for evermore bestow; If thou be our preventing guide, No evil can our steps betide. Praise we the Father and the Son, And Holy Spirit, Three in one; And may the Son on us bestow The gifts that from the Spirit flow. Amen. CPL Holy Spirit Novena 2017.odt 2017-05-10 10 Introduction This set of prayers has been designed to go with the initiative of the Archbishop of Canterbury, for prayer for the Holy Spirit during the season between Ascension and Pentecost. For further information see: www.thykingdomcome.global. They can be prayed alone or by a group. A period of preparation and of waiting Jesus ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. Acts 1.4 Jesus indicates a period of waiting. The Church has traditionally used the period between Ascension Day and Pentecost as a time of prayer for the gift of the Holy Spirit. From this period of nine days, comes the word Novena (the Latin for nine is novem), which indicates the period during which prayer is offered. As a period of preparation for Pentecost, the prayers for this time are for the inspiring presence of the Holy Spirit, to enliven, excite, and enrich us, as happened to the apostles on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1.12 2.5). The prayers in this booklet are in three parts: 1. An introduction, that is to be used each day 2. A specific reading and prayer for each day 3. A conclusion, again, to be used daily 3
Preparation The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are described in the Book of Isaiah 11.2-3, where they are considered to be ones that the coming Messiah would possess. Jesus, the Messiah, blesses his church with these gifts. As you begin this Holy Spirit Novena, take a moment to remember and delight in the promise of the Holy Spirit Jesus gives to all his disciples to inspire and guide them in the Christian life. As an act of preparation you could light a candle, or open a Bible, or place an icon or a picture before yourself, or perhaps play a short piece of reflective music. Colin Lunt Holy Spirit Novena 1. Opening Prayers Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and shall be for ever. + Amen. Come, Holy Spirit, Creator, come From thy bright celestial throne! Come take possession of our souls, And make them all thine own! When you send forth your Spirit, they are created. 4 against the assaults of the Enemy. By your mercy and grace, renew the spirit of your servants to whom you have entrusted this labour, that in you all their works may glorify the Father and his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. + Amen. Saint Augustine s Prayer to the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit, powerful consoler, sacred bond of the Father and the Son, hope of the afflicted, descend into my heart and establish in it your loving dominion. Enkindle in my tepid soul the fire of your love so that I may be wholly subject to you. We believe that when you dwell in us, you also prepare a dwelling for the Father and the Son. Be pleased, therefore, to come to me, consoler of abandoned souls, and protector of the needy. Help the afflicted, strengthen the weak, and support the wavering. Come and purify me. Let no evil desire take possession of me. You love the humble and resist the proud. Come to me, glory of the living, and hope of the dying. Lead me by your grace that I may always be pleasing to you. Amen. Closing Prayer May the power of the Holy Spirit ever be with us, we beseech you, O God. Cleanse our hearts and save us from all dangers; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. + Amen. 9
Day Eight, Friday 2 June As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. Isaiah 66.13 O Divine Comforter, we come to you in our trouble and distress. In the name of Jesus, our Redeemer, come to our assistance and console us in all our trials and sufferings. Amen. Day Nine, Saturday 3 June When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears. John 16.13 Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth, come into our hearts; give to all people the brightness of your light, that they may be pleasing to you in the unity of faith. Amen. 3. Concluding Prayers For all who work for the Church O Holy Spirit, Creator, graciously aid and inspire those who are engaged in fulfilling the mission of the Church, who work to build your Kingdom by teaching and evangelizing others. Grant that by your supernal power, they may be strengthened and confirmed And you renew the face of the earth. Psalm 104.30 Let us pray: O God, you have taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. + Amen. 2. Prayers for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Day One, Friday 26 May To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; she is created with the faithful in the womb. Ecclesiasticus 1.14 Spirit of Wisdom, preside over all my thoughts, words and actions, so that in all things I may love God for his own sake above all things. Amen. Day Two, Saturday 27 May Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Psalm 119.34 Spirit of Understanding, teach and enlighten me, so that I may never waver in my faith, but enjoy true peace of mind and heart. Amen. 8 5
Day Three, Sunday 28 May Wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Proverbs 2.10 Spirit of Knowledge, teach me how to look at things in their true light, so that I may not be bound by earthly attachments, but ever rejoice in your heavenly comforts. Amen. Day Four, Monday 29 May You guide me with your counsel and afterwards you will receive me with honour. Psalm 73.24 Spirit of Counsel, grant that I may always seek your guidance, that my thoughts and actions may be informed by good judgement, and that whenever my advice is sought by others, it will be offered with kindness, prudence, truth, and in accordance with God s will. Amen. Day Six, Wednesday 31 May Pursue peace with everyone and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12.14 Spirit of Piety, implant in my soul such love towards God my heavenly Father, and brotherly/sisterly love for all, so that I may delight in the service of God and of my neighbour. Amen. Day Seven, Thursday 1 June Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12.28 Spirit of Holy Fear, keep me mindful of the infinite Majesty of God, keep me from all selfish desires and evil actions, that I may humbly serve God and others with a clean heart and clear mind. Amen. Day Five, Tuesday 30 May Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Romans 12.12 Spirit of Fortitude, strengthen my weakness, so that I may never be discouraged by obstacles in the path of holiness and virtue, but may willingly accept the trials and difficulties of this life. Amen. 6 7