Welcome Holy Spirit. Say it out loud this time. Welcome Holy Spirit.
Too often the Holy Spirit is overlooked in the Christian faith. I know this is true for me. And if it is true for you, let’s change that in 2025. Welcoming the presence, recognizing the power, and accepting the comfort and counsel of the Holy Spirit is an easy, but transformational, New Year’s resolution – just by committing to a daily prayer found at the end of this post.
First, let’s take a look at a few ways the Bible emphasizes the importance and need for the Holy Spirit in our lives.
WELCOME HOLY SPIRIT AND HE WILL INSTRUCT AND REMIND YOU ABOUT JESUS’ TEACHINGS AS YOU GO THROUGH YOUR DAY.
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26 NIV).
Jesus understood the idiom: out of sight, out of mind; therefore, he told the disciples He was sending an Advocate to continue His teaching and to jog their memories about what they had learned from Jesus’ teachings, friendship, and leadership. But it wasn’t just for the disciples it was for us too! What a blessing.
Not only does the Holy Spirit instruct, but:
THE HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERS US TO EXHIBIT THE FRUIT OF THE SPRIT
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things” (Galatians 5: 22-23 NLT)!
Gardeners battle weeds constantly. Why? Because they compete for nutrients and introduce pests and disease. That is what happens with sin in our lives. Therefore, we must fight against our old sin nature that competes and distracts from the work of the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the seed of the fruit. As long as the limb stays connected to the tree the fruit grows naturally from the seed. Accordingly, our fruit grows naturally out of our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Therefore, if you pray: welcome Holy Spirit each morning you will focus more on the Spirit and allow the fruit to blossom in your life naturally.
ADDITIONALLY, THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL PRAY FOR YOU
“Also, the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit Himself speaks to God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain” (Romans 8:26 NCV).
Welcome the Holy Spirit into your prayer life each day so that when you are at a loss for words or are not properly focused the Holy Spirit will intervene.
THE HOLY SPIRIT OFFERS ENCOURAGEMENT
“…being encouraged by the Holy Spirit, the group of believers continued to grow” (Acts 10:31b NCV).
Encouragement offers hope and instills confidence in all aspects of our lives. Certainly, this is true spiritually. The book of Acts tells us the church grew stronger and lived as believers should because of the Holy Spirit’s encouragement.
WELCOME HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS UNPREDICTABILITY.
This is perhaps the best part of the Holy Spirit’s nature. He is reliable and consistent in His ministry to every believer. However, He is also like the wind.
“The wind blows where it wants to and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where the wind comes from or where it is going. It is the same for every person who is born from the Spirit” (John 3:8 NCV).
We cannot see the wind nor know where it will be felt next. Similarly, the Holy Spirit will take us to unexpected places – physically and spiritually. Being a believer is an exciting journey if we allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit. He will rejuvenate and strengthen our faith.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him. But is was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit. For His Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets” (1 Corinthians 2: 9-10 NLT).
WELCOME HOLY SPIRIT NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION
So, consider this a New Year’s resolution, a spiritual goal, or simply a commitment for the new year. Seek God with the following prayer every morning in 2025.
Holy Spirit you are welcome in my life. Come in a way that will catch my breath with delight and surprise. Please fill me to overflowing and restore sensitivity to Your guiding presence. I beseech you to impart Your power, comfort and wisdom as You transform, rejuvenate, and direct me through this year. Bring meaning and significance to my life as I glorify and serve You. Additionally, help me to make a difference in other’s lives, meeting their unique needs by sharing my faith and Your love in various ways to all. I plead for your presence in every aspect of my existence throughout this year and forevermore.
Notice the Spirit working in your life. Look for it so you don’t miss it. Perhaps write down the changes you see – even start a blessing jar! You will be amazed at the end of the year.
OTHER IDEAS, COMMENTS, AND SHARING
For another easy New Year’s Resolution that will impact your spiritual life check out a previous post titled: A Foolproof Resolution.
As always, comments are welcome. Do you agree that the Holy Spirit is often the forgotten part of the Trinity? What are some of your New Year’s resolutions? Add to the comment section anything you might want to discuss or share.
