30 Days with the Holy Ghost (Day 21)

Day 21 – Empowering our Witnessing  

The Holy Spirit is the main agent of the proclamation of the “good news” (euangelion). The joy of knowing Christ and having him in our heart should be shared with others. The spreading of one of the first missions given to the disciples and the Church by Jesus. This means, the true agent of evangelization is the Holy Spirit. In the book of Acts, the risen Lord instructs the Apostles in these words: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Jesus is inviting us first to understand that, to be part of his ministry, one needs to be first filled with the Holy Spirit and then become his witness. Being a witness, a result of being filled with the power from above. Our life, once influenced by the Holy Spirit, becomes a testimony of the life of the Risen Lord.

 No wonder, Jesus in his sermon on the mount, Jesus reminds us that, “You are the salt of the earth.” (Mt 5:15) and “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:16). Just as these two important elements of our daily use, influence and change their environment, so shall our life filled with the Holy Spirit, influence those who surround us: our family, our church’s members, the people we visit or those who visit us. We are indeed witness to the Risen Lord and his message by living a life in the spirit. Only the Holy Spirit will us “… not be conformed to the pattern of this world but be transformed” (Romans 12:2).The Holy Spirit is the agent of change and transformation, helping us to stand differently in the world. Here, we need to listen to the Holy Spirit and his inspiration. Come Holy Spirit!

Prayer: Father, in Isaiah 43:10, your word says; “You are my witnesses”, “and my servant who I have chosen”, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he”. May your Holy Spirit make us your witnesses!

In Acts 4:20, Peter and his companions said, as for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard, Father in the name of Jesus, we rise against any force, any person, any power that stands against the proclamation of the kingdom!

By the power of the Holy Spirit, Lord make me a fisher of men as in Matthew 4:18-19, where you called Simon Peter and Andrew his brother. Come Holy Spirit!

Fr. Georges R. BIDZOGO SAC

Remember I pray with you and for you during this time!

30 Days with the Holy Ghost (Day 20)

Day 20 – The Spirit of Joy

Throughout this program, we are praying and experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit. One of the most beautiful things that we realize with the Holy Spirit is the joy that he brings to the Church and all who love him. Jesus highlights the power of the mission of the Holy Spirit. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete”.(John 15:11) Yes, we should journey under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who gives joy even in times of trials and hardships. Joy is cited among the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatins 5:22-23) and one of the characteristics of the kingdom of the kingdom of God. In Romans 14:7, St Paul reminds us that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. So as Christians, Joy is essential. As God’s  children, our life must be characterized by joy and love. At the same time we must rejoice as children of the resurrection. This thirty day of prayer should help us to rediscover the importance and the power of joy as a fruit of the Holy Spirit.

King David in Psalm 16:11, makes this observation: “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.” The bold truth is that, our pursuit of money, wealth, security, worldly pleasures, our external appearance, our promotion, our political ambitions, our scientific research, our achievement in various areas of life cannot secure our state of joy.  You see, Joy is not just an unstable feeling of happiness. Joy is synonymous with God's presence. Joy comes from being in an intimate relationship with God the Father and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Joy is internal, selfless, sacrificial and a spiritual connection to God the Father. Pray that as we are entering the nine last days of our prayer journey, we may be filled with the Holy Spirit of Joy!

Prayer:

God, Father of heaven, you are the source of true joy.  In Psalm 16:11, your word says, “In Your presence, there is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever”. Come Holy Spirit of Joy, fill me with your presence!

Holy Father, the Apostle John  in reports us the words of Jesus in his Gospel chapter 15:11. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” In the name Of Jesus, fill me with the fullness of your joy!

Father, it is your desire to fill us with joy. According to the Apostle Paul in his Letter to the Romans 15:13, the Bible says, “Now may God fill you overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him.”  May your Holy Spirit fill us with unconditional joy in the name of Jesus!

Lord, your word in Nehemiah 8:10 tells us not to grieve, for the joy of the Lord is our strength.  And Paul to the Romans 15:13 pray that the God of hope may fill us with all joy and peace as we totally trust in him.

Just as the disciples were overflowed with the power of the Holy Spirit in Acts 13:52, May this prayer program fill us with your Holy Spirit.!

30 Days with the Holy Ghost (Day 18)

Day 18 – Our Defender, Our Advocate

Coming back on this eighteen day, on the role of the Holy Spirit as our helper. Naturally we are in need of defense, protection, strength and security. I believe that is the reason, Jesus himself calls the Holy Spirit, “The Advocate” or “ Paraclete”, which means someone who comes alongside in our struggles and in our weakness to help us”. The word of St Paul in his Letter to the Romans, “ The Holy Spirit, help us in our weakness” (Romans 8:26), that we are truly in need of the Holy Spirit as our inspirer, our intercessor and our protector. In other words, the Holy Spirit is our refuge and our fortress against the power of darkness and our defender against the Tempter. Knowing all the dangers that surround our spiritual and physical lives, we must rely on the presence of the Holy Spirit for protection because those who are in Christ have been removed from the authority of darkness (Colossians 1:13). No wonder, we can rely on John’s words, which reminds us that, the child of God is securely held by Jesus, and the “evil one cannot touch them” (1John 4:7). This protection is secured by the Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, The Paraclete!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I believe there is no ruler, authority, power, leader, or anything else that equals the weight of the authority of your holy name. In Your name Lord Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit the Paraclete, I declare my safety, my security from every spiritual, emotional and physical attack.

Holy Spirit, The paraclete, Help me to experience Lordship over my life. Come Holy Spirit, The Paraclete!

Lord Jesus, blessed be your holy name, for your sacrifice for us. The enemy has nothing on me because he has nothing on You, and You have me completely. No spiritual power or entity has power or authority over me because of Your death on the cross and resurrection. Thank You for the decisive victory that is ours in Christ Jesus. Come Holy Spirit, The paraclete. I need you in my life!

30 Days with the Holy Ghost (Day 17)

Day 17 -  Our Guide and our Director

In our previous meditation, we had pondered on the role of the Holy Spirit as our helper and that is who he is. The  Bible understands the word Guide as “to show the way, to lead”. The very first help that the Holy Ghost gives is to guide and to direct individuals and the Church. One of the first important guidance of the Holy is in our prayer activities. “We know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Holy Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26) In the Old testament, the people had always relied on the direction of the Holy Spirit. While Moses was guiding the children of Israel, the spirit of God was in their midst. The kings, the prophets, the Judges, and even Jesus were guided by the Holy Spirit. St Luke tells us that: “Jesus full of the Spirit, returned from Jordan and was led around by the Holy Spirit in the wilderness” (Luke 4:1). Those who are led by the Spirit of God are indeed children as affirmed by St Paul to the Romans (8:14).  So for Jesus the Holy Spirit will come not to control us, but to guide us. Most of the time, we are afraid of the unknown, yet the Holy Spirit as our guide gives us hope and assurance for the future. In daily life, we have to make decisions and carry heavy burdens. In all this, we need the Holy Spirit to guide and to direct us as St Paul says: “the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace”. (Romans 8:6 ) Come Holy Spirit!

Prayer:

Father, send us your Holy Spirit.

Holy Father, In  John 16:13, your word says, when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. Come Holy Spirit, be my Guide and Director

In the Book of Proverbs 3:5-6, the word of God says, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Come Holy Spirit, be my Guide and Director!

 Prayer: Father, lead me and guide me. Provide me the spirit of direction. Come Holy spirit. Be my Guide and Director!

Fr. Georges R. Bidzogo  sac

Remember, I pray for you and with you  throughout this time!

30 Days with the Holy Ghost (Day 16)

Day 16- The Helper, we need

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is at the heart of Christian life. The Holy Spirit was at the beginning of the Church.  A christian life without the Holy Spirit. The Book of the Acts of the Apostle mentions the Holy Spirit about fifty six times.  Throughout, he is acting as a Guide, a helper, a sanctifier, a Teacher, and an intercessor! Today it is worth praying for the gift the helper that Jesus himself promised to ask from his Father. “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever—the Spirit of Truth.” (John 14:16) Jesus was very much aware that  at times, Christian life would be difficult. He even told the disciples “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Yet, the Holy Spirit is our helper, our burden carrier, and the one who gives us joy into our heart. The only truth is that we need to invite the Holy Spirit to partner with us in every aspect of life. We need him to come alongside us as a Helper. As we learn to lean on the Holy Spirit, he begins to work actively in our lives. With him, nothing will be impossible. (The Holy Spirit brings possibility to the seemingly impossible (Luke 1:37). Let’s cultivate a dependence to the Holy Spirit. Such a relationship definitely calls for a mutual relationship  of intimacy. Psalm 46: 1 affirms that, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Prayer:

The Holy Spirit will be my helper. Walk with me at all times, especially  to get you out of trouble.  In the scriptures, you promise in  Psalm 34:19 “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all”, let your Holy Spirit  fall on me and deliver me!

In Psalm 118:7, the Lord is with me; he is my helper and in Hebrews 13:6, the Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. Holy Spirit, my Helper, I need you more than ever.  

Father, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to be my Helper in time of need.  May your Holy Spirit never depart me ! Amen.

Fr. Georges R. Bidzogo  sac

Remember, I pray for you and with you  throughout this time!

30 Days with the Holy Ghost (Day 15)

Day 15 – The spirit of Love

 We cannot really speak about the Holy Spirit without connection with love for God is love and every Christian is defined by love. The Holy Spirit is love because he is God and God is love: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). We need the spirit of love as a foundation for our Christian life. St. Paul reminds us that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us”. Our prayer today focuses on the essence of God, who is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6)

 In Exodus 34:6, as God was passing before Moses, God proclaims what he wants to be known for: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Love is very important as it is not only a commandment (John 13:34) but also love is the first Fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). For St Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians, love is everything and without love no joy, no peace (John 13:34) because the power of love sets us free from sin and bondage! Come Holy Spirit!

Exercise: Take some minutes to contemplate God’s love on the cross.

Prayer:

Come Holy Spirit of love!

Father in heaven, your word in I Peter 4:8 tells us that love covers a multiple of sin. May your perfect love make me holy and sanctify me! In the name of Jesus!

1 John 4:18 – perfect love drives out fear and in Romans 8:1, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Come Holy of love. Descend in my heart, o Holy Spirit of love!

Father God, thank you for the love that you pour out in our hearts. Thanks for loving me first and engraving my name on the palm of your hand. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and make me a vessel of your love. Let me be known by your love and let your love unfold on us all.   

Hail Mary 3 X …

Come Holy Spirit… Fill the heart of the faithful.  Come Holy Spirit, fill us with your love.

Fr. Georges R. BIDZOGO SAC

Remember I am praying for you and within this period!

30 Days with the Holy Ghost (Day 14)

Day 14 – Peace!

On this fourteen day, we would like to focus on peace. The first gift of Jesus to his disciples. Peace comes with the gift of the Holy Spirit.   Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” (John 14:27). In the midst of striving, conflicts, divisions, wars, instability in all areas of life, troubles and anxieties and discomfort, man truly needs peace, which I always describe as true happiness. Such happiness is the fruit of the presence of the Holy Spirit and can only be gained only if we remain in the true vine Jesus Christ (John 15:1-4).

As we continue to pray along this day, we should deepen the meaning of the true peace in Christ. “My peace I leave you, my peace I give you” (John 14:27). Of course, the peace of Christ is not the absence of problems or avoiding strife, conflicts or troubles. Rather it is peace that derives from the power of the Holy Spirit, and which brings joy, patience and endurance in face of afflictions. (cf. Philippians 2:2). The peace that we are praying for is enduring peace which is total trust and confidence in God in times of hardships (Isaiah 26:3). Such a peace can be given by the strength of the Holy Spirit, which is in reality, wholeness and delights on God’s providential care. Come Holy Spirit! Let’s try to cultivate the spirit of peace.

Exercise: Today, listen to the Holy Spirit calling to be patient. Choose to forgive by praying for your offenders. Come Holy Spirit of peace. Pour out into my heart!

Prayer:

Lord, God of peace, in Colossians 3:15, you invite us to allow the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, Fill our hearts with your peace in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace! Amen.

Lord, our Father, may your word from the letter to the Ephesians 4:2, come to pass so that we m, Lord for your peace!  Come Holy Spirit! Come with your peace!

Hail Mary 3 X …

Come Holy Spirit… Fill the heart of the faithful.  Come Holy Spirit, fill us with your gifts.

Fr. Georges R. BIDZOGO SAC

Remember I am praying for you and within this period!

30 Days with the Holy Ghost (Day 13)

Day 13 – Compassion and Kindness

As we delve in this new day, I would like us to insist on compassion and kindness. People filled with the Holy Spirit are characterized by selflessness, caring,unconditional love after the example of Jesus, the Eternal Shepherd, who laid his life for his sheep (John 10: 11-18). It is important  to live under the power of the spirit because our relationship with one another is marked by acts of kindness, such as kind words and unexpected acts of charity. We pray today to deepen this spirit of compassion which is the spirit of the Lord, Jesus and Master. He was led by the Holy Spirit, which was manifested in all his prayers, actions and relationships. In Jesus we experience the words of Jeremiah, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3). Love and compassion is an imitation of God’s mercy under the impulse of the Holy Spirit. 

Exercise: Listen to the Holy Spirit. He wants you to show mercy or kindness to someone in words or in deeds. Develop the spirit of kindness and compassion by doing the following.

1.     Speak with kindness. Watching your words is very important. Holy Spirit, fill me with kinds words

2.     Apologize when you've made a mistake. This is humility. Holy Spirit humble me in times of my weakness.

3.     Listen carefully and without judgment. Holy Spirit. Give me a listening spirit!

4.     Encourage other people. Holy Spirit. Fill me with your courage!

5.     Offer to help someone with a task. Holy Spirit, fill me with the spirit of service!

6.     Be happy for someone else's success. Holy Spirit, fill me with the Spirit selflessness

7.     Accept people for who they are. Holy Spirit, fill me with the spirit of charity!

8.     Forgive people for making mistakes. O Holy Spirit fill me with the spirit of forgiveness!

Final prayer: Holy Spirit, I invite you into my life. Help me to be loving, kind, generous, peaceful and compassionate!

Hail Mary 3 X …

Come Holy Spirit… Fill the heart of the faithful.  Come Holy Spirit, fill us with your gifts.

Fr. Georges R. BIDZOGO SAC

Remember I am praying for you and within this period!

30 Days with the Holy Ghost (Day 12)

Day 12 – Gentleness and Self Control

The Holy Spirit is our gift from the Father as Jesus affirms in John 14:16 “And I will ask the father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always will be with you”. By virtue of our confirmation, we have received these gifts as well enounced in the book of Isaiah. “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:2). The reality of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us is a power that enables us to bear fruits. Everyday, during these thirty days, I invite you to invoke all the gifts of the Holy Spirit in order to lead a better Christian life. Let’s do this every day and allow the three of the gifts to yield the various fruits.

Today, I would like us to ponder and pray for self-control and kindness. St James advises everyone to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Isn’t that so important to ask for the spirit of self-control, patience or kindness for concrete situations of our life. When we stand in queues at post offices, shopping or while sometimes driving in heavy traffic, expectant results in any area of life. Instead of the usual anger that characterizes our daily reactions, we pray for the spirit of self-control and love.

In his first letter, St John explains this love exactly means, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John3:16). The Holy Spirit is indispensable in this process dying for others. It is only the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to put others first and this must include all categories of people.

Exercise: Spend some minutes in conversation with the Holy Spirit – speak to Him about your weaknesses to control yourself and let go of your self-centeredness!

Prayer: Father in heaven, your word in 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that, you had not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and self-control, let your spiritual power run over me now and give control over my senses. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

.In the Book of Proverbs 16:32, Solomon speaks wisdom when he said, One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city. Lord, I speak these words of Salomon over my life, in the name of Jesus! Amen.

In the letter to the Ephesians 4:31-32. St. Paul is inviting us to get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, give kindness and compassion to my heart; May I have a forgiving spirit, just as Christ Jesus my Lord and my God.

Hail Mary 3 X …

Come Holy Spirit… Fill the heart of the faithful. Come Holy Spirit, fill us with your gifts.

Fr. Georges R. BIDZOGO SAC

Remember I am praying for you and within this period!

30 Days with the Holy Ghost: Day 11

Day 11 – The Holy Spirit helps us to grow in the faith

Yesterday we discussed abundant life; a life in the spirit. This life calls for faithfulness to the Holy Spirit while the Holy spirit helps us to increase our faith. The power of the Holy Spirit illuminates our existence, mind, heart, and strengthens us. Veni Creator Spiritus should be our daily prayer. Brothers and sisters, the word of God is the true light  and God himself is faithful in whatever he does (Ps 33:4).  

Without the Holy Spirit, our life today would totally be miserable, regarding whatever we go through in our every day’s life, through social media: smartphones, tablets, computers, TV, and stereos. With the Holy Spirit, we will remain trustworthy even in the midst of the range of modern products with their various corrupt information and opinions. Faithfulness is very important in our relationships and in our times. Faithfulness is one of God’s attributes. He is “abounding in faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). God is a covenant keeper and he can never deny (2 Timothy 2:13). Our daily lives too require total faithfulness. Our Christian life requires the Holy Spirit to fill and equip us with righteousness and virtue. 

Prayer: Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.

 Say 7 Hail Mary.

Fr. Georges R. BIDZOGO SAC

Remember I am praying for you and within this period!

30 Days with the Holy Ghost: Day 10

Day 10 – Thirst for abundant life!

As Christians, we should always think big. Jesus want us to know this truth and to live by it. As our Good Shepherd, he wanted us to know that he came so that we may have life, and have it abundantly (cf John 10:10) Abundant life in Christ beyond material. St Paul in Romans 15:13 prays that the God of hope may fill us with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. The fullest of life does not depend on the house, car, spouse, kids, vacation, promotion, and career, but on a life in the spirit; a life that does not end. This must be our greatest thirst, the thirst for abundant life. No wonder, Jesus, on the last day of the festival in the temple of Jerusalem, shouted: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. (John 3:37-38)” The Spirit of God in us is abundant in life. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God does far more abundantly than all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20) and he continues to supply every need according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). Abundant is life in the spirit. Let us invite the Holy Spirit into our lives and pray for abundant life!  

Prayer:

The Holy Spirit come and renew our hearts! May you help me change the way I understand your abundance in my life! Gracious Father, pour out your unmerited blessings and favor on me through the power of the Holy spirit in the name Jesus! Jesus, you are the living water that always satisfies, quenches our thirst, may fill us with your spirit of love, mercy and grace in the name of Jesus. In Lord, in 2 Corinthians 9:8, your word proclaims that you are a God who is able to bless us abundantly, so Father, Bless us abundantly with the gift of the Holy Spirit! Like a spring that will never fail, make us prosper us like a well-watered garden as in Isaiah 58:11. Father, I thank you for abundant life, today! Come Holy Spirit!

Say 7 Hail Mary.

Fr. Georges R. BIDZOGO SAC

Remember I am praying for you and within this period!

30 Days with the Holy Ghost: Day 9

Day 9 – Graciousness poured out

Prayer helps to discover one important aspect of God’s essence, that is his love or his graciousness. In Psalm 45:2, David says, “You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever.” Today as we open ourselves to the presence of the Holy spirit, let us thank God for his generosity and providence. Let's thank God for every single gift in our existence. Gratitude is a power that activates the presence of the Holy Spirit. In the line of most of the psalms, the Blessed Virgin Mary, filled with the Holy Spirit, sang the magnificat.  “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” (Psalm 126:3) The Holy Spirit teaches us to give thanks and to exercise the power of gratitude which unlocks the power of God’s presence in our lives. Come Holy Spirit!

Prayer:

Father, pour out your Holy spirit upon me in order to develop the spirit of gratitude upon my life in the name of Jesus!

Holy Ghost, open my mind and heart to see in God, the Jehovah Jireh––our provider who cares for us in Jesus name!

In the Book of Proverbs 11:25, the Bible tells us “The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.” May your Holy Spirit help us to develop a spirit of gratitude and generosity in the name of Jesus! Holy Spirit, be my provider in the name of Jesus!

In psalm 118:1, The Bible tells us to give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. May As I lift high your holy name, Lord, may give me the full measure, pressed down, running over as in Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over of your Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus!

Thank you, Lord, for being the Great provider for us!

Say 7 Hail Mary.

Fr. Georges R. BIDZOGO SAC

Remember I am praying for you and within this period!

30 Days with the Holy Ghost: Day 7

Day 7 – Prayer and submission to the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25)

As we journey with the Holy Spirit, we begin to enjoy his companionship. In Galatians 5:25, we  are invited to live by the Spirit and walk by the Spirit. It is a life’s time journey, which will consist in praying for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. On this seventh day, I would surrender to the Holy Ghost and to pray for his indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We must learn for this purpose:

1.Radical dependence or total on the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Jesus himself tells us that, “The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you”. (John 14:26) This is exactly the spirit that prophet Isaiah was talking about, “the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of strength, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:2). Relying and submitting ourselves to the Holy Spirit will definitely help me direct me to the right paths (choices), warn me on the dangers of life, lead me to the knowledge of the truth, and provide me with strength, love and peace. This, he can do if we invite him (Revelation 3:20) and his presence will help us to have our mind set on the spirit( cf. Romans 8:6)

We are very much aware that, our reason, and human potential participate to our spiritual and physical growth and important decisions making, but we must always remember what the angel of the Lord said to said to Zechariah 4:6, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord!” This will always bring us to the main point of leading a life in the spirit as in Galatians 5:16. The word of God says: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh”.

Prayer: Father, I thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I pray that I may begin a new life. Your word in Isaiah 30:21 says that our ears shall hear the word inviting us to the true way. May we walk again in the way in the name of Jesus.

May you, O Holy Spirit, provide me with wisdom and direction for life. In the name of Jesus. Guide me in my decision in the name of Jesus!

Holy Spirit I surrender my entire life under your guidance and authority in the name of Jesus! help me to follow the Holy Spirit in every area of my life and not fulfil the desires of my flesh. In the name of Jesus!

Come now, o Holy Spirit and fill my life with your presence! In the name of Jesus!

Pray 7 Hail Mary.

Fr. Georges R. BIDZOGO SAC

Remember that I pray with you and for you during this period!

Blessed day!

30 Days with the Holy Ghost: Day 6

Yesterday, we reflected on abiding with the Holy Spirit. To abide in, we must know and understand who the Holy Spirit is, the place He holds within the Holy Trinity, and the role He plays in individual lives.

According to our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is vital to anyone venturing to become a Christian who is a follower of Jesus.

Knowing the Holy Spirit would radically change your life for with him on board, anyone can experience the life of God within them

Pray today for the gift of the breath of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:

Breathe upon us, O breath of God! Come, Holy Spirit, come with invigorating power! Spirit of Jesus, do in our hearts and midst what you alone can do!

Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth. You take away their breath, they die, returning to the dust from which they came.

Send forth your Sprit and renew the face of the earth.

Glory be to the Father...

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Remember that I pray for you in this time!

30 Days with the Holy Ghost: Day 5

Day 5: Abiding in the Spirit 

“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world can not receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”

John 14:15-17

Our daily life shows that, it’s a real challenge to abide in Christ for all through. There are powerful forces that may divert us away from Christ and God'scommands.  But thanks to God, who has sent us the Holy Spirit. In John’s gospel, Jesus says: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments, and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to be with you forever. This is the spirit of truth whom the world can not receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him because he abides with you and will be in you.” The Holy Spirit is our  ‘Advocate’, that is our “Comforter.” 

We should live every day in his presence, abiding in his continuous guidance and love.

Prayer for indwelling of the Holly Spirit 

Come Holy Spirit. Come and dwell in me. Come oh Holy Spirit, powerful Consoler, sacred Bond of the Father and the Son. Come oh hope of the afflicted!

Come and descend into my heart and establish in it Your home. 

Come and enkindle in my tepid soul the fire of Your love so that I may be wholly subject to You. Come now in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Have a wonderful day with.

Remember, I m praying for you in this time.

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

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30 Days with the Holy Ghost - Day 3 and 4

Day # 3: Knowing the person of Jesus (Mt 8:27-30)

Jesus is very clear. He wants us to know him personally as Savior and Lord. Everyday Jesus is asking you: “who do you say that I am?” In order to receive the Holy spirit we one must exercise faith in Jesus Christ by a serious change of life. The Book of the Acts of the Apostles is a good illustration of this type of knowledge. “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”(Acts 2:37-41) We see in this text, the importance of the power of the Holy Spirit in the process of knowing and building intimacy with Jesus.

Take this day as an intimacy with Jesus: 1) Have some minutes of adoration and conversation with Jesus with or without the Blessed Sacrament. 2) Read Isaiah 11:1-2; and Galatians 5:22-23.

Prayer: Lord, Jesus the Apostle Peter professed you as the Messiah, the Son of the living God by the power of the Holy Spirit (Mt 16:16), may the same Holy Spirit, help me to know you intimately in the name of Jesus!

Father, I thank you for your word, which is the lamp to my feet and the light of my path, may you open my heart to the knowledge of Jesus, the living Word made flesh, who is my light and the Light of the world in the name of Jesus!

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator come, 
From your bright heavenly throne!
Come, take possession of our souls, 
And make them all your own.

I pray especially for you during these 30 days (Fr. Georges R. BIDZOGO SAC)

Day #4 Knowing the Holy Spirit (Acts 1; 8)

In the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles, Jesus made a promise to the Apostles saying: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and then you will be my witness to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). The question we may ask ourselves is:  Is the Holy Spirit a person or a force? The Bible in 2 Corinthians 2 and in other passages of the scriptures, testifies that the Holy Spirit is a person and not impersonal energy. He is referred to in the Bible as “He or Him” and never as it. The Holy Spirit has a mind, a will, emotions, fillings, intellect, knowledge and the ability to communicate. He is the helper (John15:26) who can hear and speak the things that are to come (John 16:13). We need to understand and know the Holy Spirit as our teacher (Mt 28:19) and he is involved in creation (Genesis 1:2). We affirm that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Spirit who performs actions, speaks (John 16:13), convicts (John 16:8), strengthens (Ephesians 3:16), leads (Galatians 5:18), and appoints leaders to service (Acts 13:2, 4). Very importantly this helps us in our prayer: “the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Romans 8:26). We can know the Holy Spirit as a friend. For St. Paul desires that we would experience “the fellowship of the Holy Spirit” (2 Corinthians 13:14). We can have intimate communion with God’s Spirit so that we can experience the world from the Holy Spirit’s perspective. Finally, the Holy Spirit works relationally with the Father and the Son in the process of making disciples (Matthew 28:19) and empowering disciples in the mission of God (Acts 1:8). Today let us learn to know, love and seek the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit, Comforter, Helper, and Advocate come revive my life!

Build a relationship with the Holy Spirit!

Come Holy Spirit!
You who are called the Paraclete,
Best gift of God above,
The living spring, the living fire, 
Sweet unction, and true love!

Breathe into me, Holy Spirit.

Come, Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit, fill me with your gifts.

Kindle in me Your goodness, Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit, be present in my heart.

Holy Spirit, help me be patient.

30 days with the Holy Ghost - Introduction / Day 1

30 days with the Holy Ghost

Introduction.

Without the Holy Spirit, we as Christ followers would not be able to hear God’s call and fulfil it in our world today. Jesus knew this and he promised to his disciples a helper, a teacher, a comforter, an advocate, an intercessor, an “Above –person- power” and Standby at all times. We need to get familiar with, develop a deep relationship with Him if we are to be the best followers of Jesus that we are meant to be. This will enable us to have a spirit-filled life, a daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit as God’s ultimate plan for us. My prayer is that the prophecy of Prophet Joel may come to pass in everyone's life and in our every day’s life.

“And it shall come to pass afterward

That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

Your old men shall dream dreams,

Your young men shall see visions.

And also on My menservants and on My maidservants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days. (Joel 2:28-29)

I am proposing this New thirty (30) days with the Holy Ghost’ Encounter as the beginning of our Christian’s exercise of meeting, and surrender our entire life to the Holy Spirit daily.

Day #1: Seeking the kingdom of God (Mt 6:33)

The Lord Jesus invites us to seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all the rest of these things will be added to us (Cf. Mt 6:33). This seeking and searching consist in following the desires of righteousness that God the Father has put in our heart in spite of the different solicitations that we face. This type of discernment demands an active collaboration with the Holy Spirit who can enable us according to the Book of Proverbs to trust in the LORD with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding (Cf. Proverbs 3:5).

Take a minute to handover your strength, your knowledge, your wisdom, your abilities unto the Lord. Jesus I trust in you.

Prayer: Father in heaven, I stand on your words from Psalm 37: 4 which says: “Delight yourself also in the LORD and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” I thank you for love, your kindness, your faithfulness and thank you for the dreams and desires you have put in my heart. May your Holy Spirit be my joy, my strength, my wisdom, my knowledge, and my peace! May He help me to stay focused on your holy will every day of my life through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Come Holy Spirit (7X)

Hearing God’s voice (John 10:27)

Jesus, our good Shepherd in the Gospel of John is very clear to us when he says: “My sheep know my voice and I know them and they follow me”. One of the best characteristics of a Christian life is listening and identifying God’s voice. This should be the most important voice to listen to. The psalmist prays in this way: “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.” (Ps 63:1). In our troublesome society, we should create the ability to hear God’s voice in our sickness, problems of life, sorrows but also in our joyful moments. So keep listening as these are impactful seasons of the Holy Spirit helping us to ask and to seek his face and his dwelling place all the days of our lives (Cf. Ps 27:4)

Father in heaven, I know that your eyes are always on me because of your love for me and that your ears are attentive to my cry as stated in your word on Psalm 34:15. Give your Holy Spirit, A listening spirit which enables me to listen to your lovely voice. Remind me Lord to begin every day with heartfelt gratitude, praise and worship. Oh Holy Spirit, carry me along with you in the realm of true worship and prayer in the name Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Come Holy Spirit (7X)