Novena To The Holy Spirit – Day 4 – Understanding

Just at this time, filled with joy by the Holy Spirit, Jesus said, “I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to little children. Yes, Father, for that is what it has pleased you to do.” Luke, 10: 21

Reflection:
If wisdom is the desire to contemplate the things of God, understanding is the desire to grasp the revealed truths of our faith, as passed on in the teaching of the Church, and to live our lives according to these truths. Through the gift of understanding, we receive a deeper appreciation of the mysteries of God’s plan of salvation and how we can be faithful to this plan so that we are not confused by the conflicting messages of our modern culture about the right way to live. We come to see God’s saving hand at work throughout human history and also throughout our own individual life history. This helps us to radiate to others the faith which we profess. The creed becomes not a formula to memorise but an expression of our belonging, like a child leaping joyfully into their mother’s arms.
What questions and doubts about my faith do I need to bring to God at this time in my life so that He can help me to understand more clearly?

Prayer:
Come, O Spirit of Understanding! Enlighten us with Your grace. Renew in us a childlike faith and trust Be the beginning and end of all that we do so that we may reveal to others the depth of Your love. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, body and soul to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, “Speak Lord for Your servant is listening.” Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Lord Jesus Christ, before ascending into heaven You promised to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples. Grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and only desire the things that are eternal; the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth; the Spirit of Counsel that I may always choose the way of pleasing God and gaining heaven; the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation; the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and myself and grow perfect on the path to holiness; the Spirit of Piety that I may seek to serve God and His Church; and the Spirit of Fear and Awe that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and inspire me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.