The following prayer from the Orthodox tradition is one I’ve used for a number of years. It breathes life into me, and into many contemporary worship settings. I’m looking at putting it to music soon, but many friends are asking for it after a recent gathering in Denver. Here it is, with the book reference.
The prayer can be read by a celebrant, all together, in “repeat after me” form, or responsively (one line read by the leader/celebrant, the next by the community, etc.)
INVOCATION PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT
From the book by Bishop Kallistos Ware, The Orthodox Way (New York: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1979).
Excerpts from An Invocation To The Holy Spirit by St. Symeon.
Come, true light.
Come, life eternal.
Come, hidden mystery.
Come, treasure without name.
Come, reality beyond all words.
Come, person beyond all understanding.
Come, rejoicing without end.
Come, light that knows no evening.
Come, unfailing expectation of the saved.
Come, raising of the fallen.
Come, resurrection of the dead.
Come, all-powerful, for unceasingly you create, refashion and change all things by your will alone.
Come, for your name fills our hearts with longing, and is ever on our lips.
Come, for you are yourself the desire that is within me.
Come, my breath and my life.
Come, the consolation of my humble soul.
Come, my joy, my glory, my endless delight.
5 Comments
hey dan, i love this prayer. This and another prayer I’ll mention in a moment always remind me how unbalanced we are in our worship of the Trinity. I remember when Burt Waggoner was here in St. Stephen, that’s what he talked about, widening our worship to not just include but centralize the Holy Spirit along with the Father and the Son.
Perhaps this lack comes from not understanding what the Holy Spirit actually does that is different from the other two parts of the Trinity, i know i don’t. For my wee small two cents, one worthy historical job of the Holy Spirit is his/her creation of the Church on pentecost.
the prayer i was thinking of when i read this is the first ancient hymn to the Holy Spirit, “Veni Spiritus Sanctus” or “come creator Spirit” Raniero Cantalamessa has written a ripping reflection on this hymn titled the same as the hymn.
cheers!
This is a really cool prayer…thanks for sharing it
Joel, do you have a copy of Catalamessa’s rewrite of the hymn you mention. He spoke to a group of us as Vineyard leaders in Rome a few years ago on the “Battle Is Around The King,” and it was one of the most powerful Christological messages I had heard in many earth moons.
I’d love to post it if you can find it.
yes indeed, here you go, it’s a good one:
Come, Creator Spirit,
visit the minds of those who are yours;
fill with heavely grace
the hearts that you have made.
You who are named the Paraclete,
gift of God most high,
living fountain, fire, love
and anointing for the soul.
You are sevenfold in your gifts,
you are the finger of God’s right hand,
you, the Father’s solemn promise
putting words upon our lips.
Kindle a light in our senses,
pour love into our hearts,
infirmities of this body of ours
overcoming with strength secure.
The enemy drive from us away,
peace then give without delay;
with you as guide to lead the way
we avoid all cause of harm.
Grant we may know the Father through you,
and come to know the Son as well,
and may we always cling in faith
to you, the Spirit of them both.
Amen.
love it Dan. somehow with all the time behind it it feels richer, deeper and more vibrant…maybe it is the voices of the ages joining with mine.
thanks.
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