Since I’m in the middle of a series on the Holy Spirit, I thought the following prayer would serve as helpful reflection. The prayer can be found in The Valley of Vision, pp. 50–51.
O Holy Spirit,
As the sun is full of light, the ocean full of water, Heaven full of glory, so may my heart be full of thee.
Vain are all divine purposes of love and the redemption wrought by Jesus except thou work within, regenerating by thy power, giving me eyes to see Jesus, showing me the realities of the unseen world.
Give me thyself without measure, as an unimpaired fountain, as inexhaustible riches.
I bewail my coldness, poverty, emptiness, imperfect vision, languid service, prayerless prayers, praiseless praises.
Suffer me not to grieve or resist thee.
Come as power, to expel every rebel lust, to reign supreme and keep me thing.
Come as teacher, leading me into all truth, filling me with all understanding.
Come as love, that I may adore the Father, and love him as my all.
Come as joy, to dwell in me, move in me, animate me.
Come as light illuminating the Scripture, molding me in its laws.
Come as sanctifier, body, soul and spirit wholly thine.
Come as helper, with strength to bless and keep, directing my every step.
Come as beautifier, bringing order out of confusion, loveliness out of chaos.
Magnify to me thy glory by being magnified in me, and make me redolent of thy fragrance.
Questions for Reflection
1. What strikes you about this prayer? How does it differ from your own prayers?
2. What can you learn about the work of the Holy Spirit from this prayer?
3. What can you learn about prayer from this prayer?