This prayer to the Holy Spirit, which is attributed to St. Augustine, is one of my favorite prayers. I have given it to confirmation candidates in printed form, but I like it for everyday use also. It is all about the call to holiness, which our Holy Father recently focused on in his apostolic exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad) — The Call to Holiness in Today’s World.
I love the action words in this prayer: breathe, act, draw, strengthen, guard. They remind me that God wants to be active in my life. I need to recognize that and give the Holy Spirit permission to enter my being and take me where I need to be.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.
