11 Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. Psalm 51:11-12 (NRSV)
Friends, I wanted to know how many times the phrase “Holy Spirit” is mentioned in the bible. In my concordance, the phrase is mentioned first in Psalm 51. It is mentioned in a phrase form 92 times in 91 verses. I came across this prayer some time ago that I want to share with you. As you can read, the title of the prayer is” A Prayer of the Ancient Church.” It beckons the very presence of God…
A Prayer of the Ancient Church
Come, O Holy Spirit, come!
Come like Holy Fire and burn with us.
Come like Holy Wind and cleanse us.
Come like Holy Light and lead us.
Come as Holy Truth and teach us.
Come as Holy Love and enfold us.
Come as Holy Power and enable us.
Come as Abundant Life and
Fill us,
Convert us,
Consecrate us,
Until we are wholly thine.
Come, Holy Spirit, Come!
The last time the phrase “Holy Spirit is mentioned in the bible is Jude 1:20, “ But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit.” I write this for informational purposes. It is one thing having the two words together. It is another thing when just the word “spirit” is used. You must remember that most of the time, the spirit of God is used in a capitalized form: “Spirit.” When the bible notes another kind of spirit, or when in the first case, it is probably due to the writer’s understanding, or the editorial Board understands of the original text. Nevertheless, “Holy Spirit” is part of the Trinity. FYI: “Spirit” is mentioned more that 900+ times.
Something else that received my attention when I came across this prayer. The commentary came from an anonymous source that said, “Why does it have to remain in the “Ancient Church?” You have to understand that the prayers of the ancient church are our prayers as well. They filled a need for their time. They helped a people of uncertainty of the future. They gave hope for those who needed hope. Moreover, they cast of a vision of what is possible when we pray to God. That “Ancient Prayer” is “Today’s Prayer, for Today’s Church.” For First United Methodist Church of Beaumont, Texas. Church, make this your prayer, daily, and see what God can do…and be ready to be a bout what God is doing.
See you in church this Sunday. Bring a friend, your family. Return to church! God is doing a new thing!
Shalom + Paz + Pax + Peace Pastor Frank
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