Novena To The Holy Spirit – Day 2 – Fear Of The Lord

Then Peter addressed them, “I now really understand,” he said, “that God has no favourites, but that anybody who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” …While Peter was still speaking the Holy Spirit came down on all the listeners. Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter were all astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit should be poured out on gentiles too, since they could hear them speaking strange languages and proclaiming the greatness of God. Peter himself then said, “Could anyone refuse the water of baptism to these people, now they have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” He then gave orders for them to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ.” Acts, 10: 34-5; 44-7

Reflection:
During this novena we shall pray for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2-3). We begin with the fear for the Lord. This gift brings us to our knees in reverence and awe before the glory and greatness of God, like Moses before the burning bush. In the heat of His love, we are confronted with all that is unworthy within us – those attitudes and patterns of behaviour which threaten to separate us from Him. In His greatness, we see our smallness. And yet, we are not crushed nor led into despair. For the fear of the Lord gives us not only the desire not to offend God, but also the hope that God will give us the grace that we need in order to truly live lives pleasing to Him. Do I have this hope? Holy fear is not a human panic which paralyses or defeats us, but it is an awe-struck silence we experience when the veil between heaven and earth is removed and, for a moment at least, we see our own reflection in the eyes of our Father.

Prayer:
Come, O Spirit of Holy Fear! Penetrate our hearts with the revelation of Your love, Inspire in us a spirit of reverence and awe Help us to turn away from all that offends You So that we may stand before You in honesty and truth. 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.