9DAYS NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
MODERATED BY: Fr Justin Nzekwe
DAY 8
DAILY THEME: Receive the Holy Spirit
BIBLE PASSAGE: John 20: 19-23
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
REFLECTION: Jesus was so desirous of impacting the Holy Spirit on the disciples that he had to visit them after his resurrection to impact what I saw as a foretaste of his Holy Spirit upon them, with the aim of releasing the full power on the Pentecost day. At first, he gave them peace, which is a safe ground for the coming of the Holy Spirit. We need peace and harmony with God and our fellow human being if the Holy Spirit would live in us. Christ also went ahead to breath the breathe of Holy Spirit unto them, with the power to bind and unbind sinners. Therefore at this stage of the Novena, you should be able to notice some difference in your life. You must notice some inner peace, which points to the fact that our hearts is ready for the outpouring and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Join any parish that is actively involved in the Pentecost program. Be blessed as you wait on the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER: Come Holy Spirit, I need you. Use me, possess me, overshadow me, consecrate me, work in me and through me. Fill me with your power and your unfathomable gifts. Recreate me that I may live a life in the spirit. Renew your church with the power of Pentecost, and revive me with the Pentecost experience. Come oh gift of Christ my Lord, so that I may never be left as an orphan. Build your home in me, make me a temple fit for thee. Come oh light divine, and dispel the darkness of my being. Come oh great intercessor and carry my prayers to God the Father in groans too deep for sound. Come oh tongues of fire and devour my fears, make me your worthy ambassador, and forever take control of my life. Amen.
CONFESS: I wait on you Holy Spirit. I have mortified my flesh and earnestly prepared my soul for you. Come oh Holy Spirit and enkindle in our hearts the fire of your love.
***More prayers and meditation*** ***Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you will renew the face of the earth***
***Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit……. (3x) *** In the name of the Father and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
