Tag: Holy Spirit

Beyond The Text – Love, Know, Trust

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Christian Blogger, Christianity, Faith, Father Chris Alar, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, prayer

Very often as a writer, I use common phrases I think I understand.

Wow, what am I saying?

I have been reflecting the past few weeks on the Pascal Mysteries as a part of my journey in my spiritual direction, and as part of my Lenten journey to “love Jesus, know him, and to know/do his will.”

Reflecting on my past blog posts, I have often used this phrase and the deep impact of it didn’t hit me until this Sunday. Graced awareness hit me like a ton of bricks, as I realized; “Do I even know what I was talking about?”

To love Jesus, means getting to know and be in a relationship with him. Getting to know Jesus is reading the sacred scriptures and examining how it applies to me. A relationship with Jesus is communication – am I praying and talking to Jesus. It is also in looking at the world around me through Jesus’ eyes. “Is it life giving?”

Graced awareness is what I have been praying for, and when it hits me, I am in awe how simple it is.

It is only in knowing who Jesus is that I can come to love him more. Like any friendship, it entails communication and spending time together. It is through this process I learn to trust Jesus. I am after all human, and it’s been wired into me from the onset to seek relationships – especially with God. It is only when I trust, and that I can slowly move to closer to him and let go of my fears and submit to his will.

After examining and breaking down what it means “to love, know and do the will of God” and looking beyond the text – I can understand what it really means to me.

Praise be to Holy Spirit for his guidance 💕🙏

A Prayer to Know, Love, and Trust God

Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to earth to save us and show us the Father’s overwhelming love. Thank you for making it possible for us to KNOW the very nature and character of the Great I AM. You revealed that both the law and gospel are features of God and what He wants for us. The Law shows us His will and teaches us that when we follow it we will be blessed with direction and protection. The Gospel shows us His forgiving love that covers our failures with mercy and grace.

Jesus, You perfectly represent both the Law and the grace of the Gospel. Please forgive me for failing to trust You completely and by Your mercy and grace, help me to KNOW You are God, the Messiah. Help me to LOVE You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. And help me to TRUST and OBEY Your will that I might live each day for Your glory and enjoy the blessings of a soul completely surrendered to You.

Amen.

God will always find a way to communicate with us, and this homily by Father Chris Alar was an eye opener for me:

God Bless 💕🙏

God’s Healing Breath

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Bible, Catholic Faith, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Depression, Faith, Healing, Healing Prayers, Holy Spirit, Jesus, prayer

The past year and a half, has seen me work towards a more balanced spiritual, mental, emotional and physical well-being. None of this would have been possible without a deeper intimacy with Jesus and his divine grace. After becoming depressed and isolated at home during the onset of the Covid Pandemic, my only solace was the Bible. I remember praying for God’s intervention and guidance for healing in my life – to help me find him again, and “to be a stronger me in my own existence”. As I reflect back, Jesus has always been there as he is for each of us. Jesus was simply waiting for me and each of us to invite him into our lives for a deeper relationship.

20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Revelations 3:20

Thank you Jesus for the grace to know you more intimately, love you more deeply, and to walk with you more closely.

In fact, through working with a Saint Ignatius Spiritual Director, Art Therapist, and physical exercise, I am now better equip spiritually, emotionally and physically to step back into the ring of life and be the person God meant me to be. That is of course not without the daily challenges that comes with living – but with Jesus in my heart and the foundations of the Catholic faith, I am a stronger me in my own existence.

A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

Psalm 23

Catholic Prayers For Soul Healing

O’ holy one

I have come before you today who needs your healing hand. Everything is possible in you.

Hold my heart within you, and renew my mind, body, and spirit.

I am lost, but I come to you with grace.

You gave us life, and you also give us the gift of eternal bliss.

Give me the strength to move forward on the path you have made for me.

Guide me towards better health, and give me the wisdom to identify the people you have around me to help me get better.

If you have bad memories, anguish, anxiety, or guilt, a “prayer for soul healing” will address those worries. It also focuses on forgiving the causes of your pain.

Catholic Prayers For Depression

Sometimes the thing we need most in order to heal — or even to think about healing — is some good, restful sleep. This prayer asks Jesus to help you sleep, to free the demons from your thoughts, and to have angels over you while you sleep.

Grand spirit

Thank you for being with me through all the ups and downs of my life and the blessings you have given me, for which I admire and thank you.

You know the disease I’ve been battling for a long time and there’s little that can be done by the medical profession – but believe me, I’m awesome and wonderfully made and you know every part of it is my body. You know exactly why I’ve been sick for so long. I come to you now asking that you will do complete recovery work on my body – whatever is causing this persistent problem. I pray that you, by your mercy, give me the health and strength that I need.

Lead me on the path you have planned for me.

God Bless 🙏💕

Thank You Jesus

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholic Journey, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Give Thanks, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Lifestyle, Mother Mary, Praise, prayer, Thankfulness

I give thanks for two beautiful children my husband and I adopted as babies. I give thanks to God the Father, Jesus the son, and the Holy Spirit for the graces and blessings bestowed upon us.

Yesterday we celebrated MeiMei’s 16th birthday – how quickly the time has past.

Father of Jesus,
We praise you and give you glory
For the wonderful things you do for us;
For life and health,
for friends and family,
for this splendid day.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, 
Full of Grace, 
The Lord is with thee. 
Blessed art thou among women, 
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus. 
Holy Mary, 
Mother of God, 
pray for us sinners now, 
and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
And ever shall be,
World without end.

Amen.

Thank you for sharing in my joy!

God Bless 🙏💕

Man and Woman: His Body, Her Body

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Christianity, Pope John Paul 2, Spirituality, Theology of Human Love, Theology of the Body

So many young people today are grappling with finding love in all the wrong places. A discussion on sex and sexuality with any youth or young adult will find their perception of love based on the distorted narratives of our secular world. Those who believe in man and woman as created by God are cancelled.

Not only do apps and social media forums make it easy for fast hook up and non committal sex, but the true meaning of God’s gift of love and relationships have been abandoned. Instant self gratification is the populous mantra.

In the resource section is a free pdf, Call to Love: John Paul II’s Theology of Human Love:

https://rejoiceandpraise.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/ten-eyck-and-borras-called-to-love-john-paul-iis-theology-of-human-love-1.pdf

This is a must read for all young adults to understand the beauty of God’s gift in creation, and of being a man and a woman.

We have a role in sharing this message to those around us!

God Bless 🙏💕

For youths. I recommend: https://www.amazon.com/Theology-His-Body-Her-Discovering/dp/193421759X

Christ In My Heart

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholic Journey, Christian Blogger, Christianity, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus

I use to point my fingers up towards the sky when I use to make references about God. It’s a natural reaction when we think of God. He exists outside of time, is all knowing, and all powerful. I no longer point to God as some omnipresent being – God is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – the Triune. Now I point to my heart when I talk of Him. He is within me and resides in my heart as I draw nearer to Him through Jesus. Through Jesus, I have been given the grace of the Holy Spirit – my Paraclete – counsellor/teacher. Yes, it’s hard to wrap our heads around this. It is one of the mysteries of God.

“Christ is in you”

“But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is life because of righteousness.”

Romans 8:10

“It is Christ who lives in me”

“I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.”

Galatians 2:20

“Christ is formed in you”

“My children, with whom I travail again in birth until Christ is formed in you.”

Galatians 4:19

“Christ may make His home in your hearts”

“That Christ may make His home in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love.”

Ephesians 3:17

“Christ in you”

“To whom God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Colossians 1:27

God Bless 💕🙏

Novena of the Holy Spirit (Day 9)

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholicism, Christianity, Holy Spirit, Novena, prayer

Day 9

Goodness

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate.

O Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus’ name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar’s heart for Goodness within us.

We want to be like your Saints in heaven. Holy Spirit, renew us by your power with your Goodness that we may bring the Good News to the world.

Holy Spirit we ask for the grace of [Mention your intention here].

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our Lord,

Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Thank you for praying the Novena of the Holy Spirit with me. Praying “Come, Holy Spirit” is an important part of my day. My life, along with my daily walk with Jesus, this blog, as well as all my sketches and art work is only made possible by the inspiration, guidance and love of the Holy Spirit working in me. I am not perfect and often fall, and I am thankful for a merciful God, and pray daily for the Fruits of the Holy Spirit to mold and shape me to be the “me” I am meant to be in Jesus Christ.

Let us rejoice in the Pentecost – Come, Holy Spirit! 🙏💕

God Bless💖

Novena to the Holy Spirit (Day 8)

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholicism, Christianity, Holy Spirit, Novena, prayer

Day 8

Self-Control

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate.

O Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus’ name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar’s heart for Your gift of Self-Control within us.

Your Martyrs had the overwhelming self-control to go joyfully to a painful death without shrinking from the opportunity to join You in heaven. Give us this self-control to have command over our emotions and desires that we may serve You more fully.

Holy Spirit we ask for the grace of [Mention your intention here].

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our Lord,

Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Novena to the Holy Spirit (Day 7)

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholicism, Christianity, Holy Spirit, Novena, prayer

Day 7

Gentleness

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate.

O Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus’ name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar’s heart for Your gift of Gentleness within us.

Despite the gravity of our sins, O Lord you treat us with Gentleness. Dear Holy Spirit, give us your power to treat all in our lives with the Gentleness of the Saints.

Holy Spirit we ask for the grace of [Mention your intention here].

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our Lord,

Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.