Praying February...

 Holy Spirit, my Peace-giver,

The longer we live together: You in me and I in You—the more Your beautiful essence of peace becomes mine. Your peace makes me like a sweet-smelling garden, a well-watered tree that does not wilt under heat, like a fruitful field that is lush and vibrant. 

The effect of Your righteousness living in me is peace—both internal and external and causes my own spirit to be quiet, calm, confident and trusting in God my Lord. I treasure your peace, Holy Spirit.

Thank You for the peace You sow into me that allows me to grow in grace and wait with expectation without agitation or frustration. Your peace is a shield all around and within me that buffets me from the enemy’s fiery arrows which are intended to sow anxiety and fretting in my spirit. When I have Your peace, I am not easily rattled, and I can take hold of the promises of God to make me a victor and experience abundance in my life and future.

Holy Spirit, my Friend, thank You for guiding and guarding by Your peace; Your peace is my protection and also my blessing. Because Your peace is mine, my heart beats steady and my mind is clear, my body is strong and my soul is anchored. I am safe in the storms and wise in my actions. Because I value Your Presence of Peace I am safe and my wellbeing is guaranteed. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen   

Going Deeper in the Word

‘till the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest. The LORD’s justice will dwell in h desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field. The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest—Isaiah 32:15-18

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:7

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid—John 14:27 

 Holy Spirit, my Friend and Guide through Life, the One who fills and promotes Joy in my being,

What remarkable and awe-inspiring ways You have about You heavenly Friend! You bring so many wonderful gifts and attributes with You when You come and make Your home in a believer’s heart. 

One of the biproducts of living with You daily and spending time in your presence is how Your nature of joy rubs off on me. Under Your ministry I learn that joy is more than happiness—which can come and go depending on my circumstances—but the joy You have and share with me is more like a deep-seated contentment that allows me to rejoice in God my Father and in earthly relationships. This deep-seated joy helps me not only rejoice in my own being but share with others. 

I’ve found, Holy Spirit, possessing the fruit of joy is one of the ways I am able to witness my faith in God and share my spiritual journey with those who don’t know Him or have a personal relationship with the Holy Trinity. They want to know how I can be “so joyful” when life is not going well, or when I am going through trials or facing challenges others might ordinarily collapse under. That becomes a natural opening for sharing the joy I have from God and Lord. 

While I’m grateful for moments and times where I am happy, I’m especially grateful and rejoice that I am blessed to experience the fruit of joy that not only uplifts me but is powerful enough to shift any atmosphere, impact the moods of others, and put a different slant on things. 

I ask for more of You Holy Spirit, and I pray that Your fruit of joy will increase in my being even more. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen  

Going Deeper in the Word

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand—Psalm 16:11

The joy of the Lord is your strength—Nehemiah 8:10

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete—John 15:11

Holy Spirit, my Heavenly Friend; the One who Fills and Empowers me to love,

The Scriptures teach me that love is more than an emotion. It goes beyond and is deeper than those warm, fuzzy feelings I can have for some. True and godly love is shown in my commitment to care for others and is a reflection of God’s love for me. I can therefore love those I have never met face to face and through a heart of love I can show care and concern for others in their time of need.   

When I allow You to fill my heart Holy Spirit, I can become a vessel of love that motivates me to treat others respectfully, have compassion, and be kind. Your love that flows into me can flow through me onto others. Living under the influence of Your love is powerful and transformational for me and others. 

Heavenly Friend, thank You for recognizing that loving is not easy and beyond human scope and capability. Without Your essence of love being knit into my being I am incapable of the kind of love the Father approves, I am incapable of overcoming the barriers that would keep me from loving with a godly love. Thank You for helping me love and for filling me with Your divine nature and fruit of love. 

Because You indwell me, I can overcome all temptations and barriers that would keep me from being the vessel of love I am ordained to be in this world. Because You are with me constantly, I am ready, capable, and willing to love even when I am tested and challenged. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Going Deeper in the Word of God:

We love because he first loved us—I John 4:19

Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity—Colossians 3:14

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud—I Corinthians 13:4