Daily Morning Prayer to the Holy Spirit

A morning prayer to the Holy Spirit, that can be prayed daily.

Praying to the Holy Spirit is often overlooked among Christians. Here are some reasons why it is good to do so:

For Catholics, praying to the Holy Spirit serves several theological and spiritual purposes:

Invocation of Guidance and Wisdom:
The Holy Spirit is often referred to as the "Paraclete" or "Advocate," who was promised by Jesus to guide and teach His followers (John 14:26). Catholics pray to the Holy Spirit to seek guidance in decision-making, understanding of Scripture, and discernment of God's will in their lives.

Source of Spiritual Gifts:
According to Catholic teaching, the Holy Spirit bestows various spiritual gifts upon believers for the building up of the Church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). Prayer to the Holy Spirit can be seen as a way to ask for these gifts, like wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, and others, to serve others and grow in holiness.

Transformation and Sanctification:
The Holy Spirit is considered the sanctifier who transforms and renews believers, helping them to live according to the virtues of faith, hope, and charity. Praying to the Holy Spirit is a way for Catholics to ask for personal conversion, renewal, and the strength to live a virtuous life.

Unity of the Church:
The Holy Spirit is seen as the bond of unity within the Church. Prayer to the Holy Spirit can be a plea for unity among Christians, particularly in times of division or when seeking to heal rifts.

Liturgical Life:
In the Catholic liturgy, especially during the Mass, the Holy Spirit is invoked at key moments, notably during the epiclesis, where the priest asks the Holy Spirit to consecrate the Eucharistic elements. This highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in the sacramental life of the Church.

Personal Relationship with God:
The Holy Spirit is one person of the Holy Trinity, and praying to Him fosters a personal relationship with God. This reflects the Trinitarian nature of Christian prayer, where one can pray to each person of the Trinity for different aspects of life and spirituality.

Empowerment for Mission:
The Holy Spirit empowers the Church for evangelization and mission. Catholics might pray to the Holy Spirit for courage, zeal, and effectiveness in spreading the faith, following the example of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles (Acts 2).

Comfort and Consolation:
The Holy Spirit is also known as the Comforter. In times of distress, confusion, or personal suffering, Catholics might pray to the Holy Spirit for peace, comfort, and consolation.

In practice, this prayer can take many forms, from formal prayers like the "Veni Creator Spiritus" (Come, Holy Spirit) to the more spontaneous personal supplications. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2670-2672) emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in prayer, noting that prayer is always an action of the Holy Spirit within us, helping us to pray in our weakness and guiding us to pray as we ought.