# Prayer for the Gift of the Holy Spirit
*2008-02-20*

> Bill Young leads a prayer for the Holy Spirit, asks listeners to pray for a friend’s operation, and reflects on the Lenten journey.

## Opening Prayer Request

Bill welcomes listeners and asks for prayers for his friends John and Roseanne, who are facing an operation. He invites the audience to join him in praying for a successful outcome and God’s care.

## Prayer for the Holy Spirit

Bill prays:

"Oh Jesus, we are your brothers and sisters who suffer in our bodies, redeemed by you. Our spirit calls on you, O God, and invokes your Spirit. Pour out on us your Holy Spirit, that it may increase our love. Send us your Holy Spirit, which is love, to heal our wounds. We desire to learn from you, to give you all our life and all that we possess. Life is born in our hearts by the means of the Spirit, the same life you lived, the same life you gave through your Spirit to the Virgin Mary, who conceived you in her womb. Give us your Spirit, which is life.

Oh Jesus, give us and send us the Spirit to free us from fear and to begin a new life. Free us from every temptation, from the evil spirit who seeks to rush us and sow intolerance in our hearts. We do not fear, because your Spirit changes us. In these dangerous times, you want to save us. Your desire is to change us, to put your plan into our hearts. Though we are weak, your Word takes us by the hand. In our difficult days, bring us before the Lord and the Holy Spirit, that we may become simple, obedient, and humble. Help us, O Mother, in the name of the Son and our God."

He concludes with the Doxology: "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."

## Lenten Commitment

Bill asks the Holy Spirit to accompany him on his Lenten journey: "Dear Lord, as I make my Lenten journey with you, send me your Spirit, help me to give of myself, turn away from sin, and fast and pray, so that I may know you better. Let me be renewed through this journey to share your grace with the world. Amen."

## Closing Blessing

Bill ends with a simple blessing: "God bless you all."

*May the Holy Spirit fill us with love, courage, and humility as we walk together through Lent.*