Come Holy Spirit Hear the Hearts of Your Faithful
by Dawn Okrasinski
Come Holy Spirit hear the hearts of your faithful
And kindle in them the fire of your love,
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,
And you shall renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit,
Did instruct the hearts of the faithful,
Grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise
and ever enjoy his consolations,
Through Christ Our Lord,
Amen
When I was a very young girl, I learned this prayer during the season of Pentecost. While kneeling next to my mother, I said it in a very grave little voice, trying to mimic her deeply passionate plea. I did not quite understand what the words meant. Still, before I had a firm handle on who Jesus was and His impact on the world, I understood that this Holy Spirit person was someone good who provided loving direction and could be called on to act.
Meditate on this thought: The same Spirit present during the conception, anointing, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is the SAME Spirit that lives within us as Christians. I encourage you to rest in this for a quiet moment. For when we truly embrace this grace-filled understanding, we begin to transform. Our eyes see differently, divine inspiration replaces confusion, and our paths become God-led instead of world-directed. We are created and reconciled back to a relationship with God. And from that place, we begin our mission to build God's kingdom right where we are.
The Hebrew word Septuagint means "The Blind." This same word is used in Isaiah and translated as "Prisoners." The Lord God's Spirit is upon me because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim release for captives, and liberation for prisoners. Isaiah 61:1 (CEB). We do not just accept the power of the Spirit. We also act in mission to preach the good news of Jesus Christ, offer redemption through the belief that He has reconciled the world, and serve one disciple at a time because we have the power and authority to do so. Our story offers freedom from the bondage of sin to those prisoners still in darkness.
This was God’s plan all along. Jesus came to earth to heal our relationship with the Father. But we didn’t know the Father. Jesus had to show us. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14-6-7 (NIV) From God to Jesus to us. A direct lineage of love and salvation.
The Feast of First Fruits was in full swing when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles as flames of fire. The symbols witnessed by many nations that day were great, but they were surpassed by the message of Peter. God was fulfilling two promises: …He would pour his Spirit on his people Joel 2:28 (NIV) and through reconciliation and following Jesus’s commands, “we too would …receive an advocate that would guide, direct, and provide us with the Spirit of Truth forever” John 14:15-16 (NIV)
Many of us have journeyed through the darkness of abuse, sin, and abandonment. Today we walk in a new light of spiritual freedom. We, like the apostles, are equipped to speak in a language understood by the person God has placed right in front of us. Pray daily to be a conduit of the Holy Spirit and when guided, act.
Reflection:
John 7:38 9 (NIV) Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.
John 16: 13-14 (CEB) However, when the Spirit of Truth Comes, he will guide you in all truth. …He will glorify me because he will take what is mine and proclaim it to you.
Isaiah 11:2 (CEB) The Lord's Spirit will rest upon him, a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of planning and strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.
Isaiah 55:11 (MSG) So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty handed. They'll do the work I sent them to do, they'll complete the assignment I gave them.
Action:
Like the apostles who spoke in many tongues influencing many nations, you have a testimony to share with someone still in darkness. Pray to hear then share your testimony.
Take time this week and carve out a quiet moment to meditate on the power of the Holy Spirit within you. Reflect and journal how this brings new knowledge and wisdom to your faith.
