The Holy Spirit is given to us, not to just give us a little help here and there, but to abundantly empower, defend, and build up the church and each individual believer. The vibrancy, joy, and growth of the church in the book of Acts is only from one source—the power and constant help of the Spirit of God.
Our Need
Take a minute to pause and prayerfully reflect—where do you feel a sense of need, weakness, or trouble right now? Do you have feelings of confusion, disconnectedness, or dissonance in your relationship with God? What about your relationship with others or the needs of your brothers and sisters in Christ? Take some time to talk to God about these things, laying your needs out before him.
Surrendered to the Spirit’s Leading
Before we move on to the many ways that the Spirit is promised to help us, consider—are you willing to receive the help that you need from the Spirit, even if it’s not the help that you were asking for? Being led by the Spirit of God requires surrender and humility. He is waiting, ready to be our help and defender, but we often aren’t interested in the type of help he’s wanting to abundantly give us.
Sometimes our prayers are centered on “God, please fix my circumstances.” But what the Holy Spirit most delights in doing is not removing all trouble, but pouring the love of Christ into the hearts of God’s children so that they might be transformed, abound, and have joy even in the midst of trouble (for example, Colossians 1:11, Jeremiah 17:7-8). There will come a day when Christ will come back and remove all troubles, but for now the Spirit provides abundant help to make the children of God more than conquerors even in the midst of a broken and dark world.
Rich Supply
The Holy Spirit is ready and willing to provide abundant help to you as a child of God. With a heart open to his leading, consider the following promises. Slowly skim the list below paying attention to which items strike you—are there a couple items that the Holy Spirit might lead you to focus on? Also, as you read this list, consider how the Holy Spirit not only provides for your needs, but also for those of others around you. Don’t look up every scripture reference, but focus on a couple passages that especially strike you.
The Spirit…
- Brings the presence of God to our hearts forever – John 14:16-17
- Prepares our hearts to be a dwelling place for God – John 14:23, Ephesians 2:22
- Teaches us – John 14:26, 1 John 2:27
- Reminds us of Jesus and his promises – John 14:26, 15:26
- Gives us peace – John 14:26-27, Romans 8:6
- Convicts the unbelieving world of sin, righteousness, and judgment – John 16:8
- Guides us into truth – John 16:13
- Empowers God’s people to boldly speak of Jesus – Acts 4:31
- Gives us the deep wisdom of God – 1 Corinthians 2:7-13
- Helps us understand all that we have in Christ – 1 Corinthians 2:12
- Cleanses and sanctifies God’s people – 1 Corinthians 6:11
- Empowers and equips the church to be built up into the fullness of Christ – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Ephesians 4:1-16
- Brings unity to the children of God – Ephesians 4:3
- Guarantees that we as God’s children will receive an eternal inheritance – Ephesians 1:13–14
- Provides access to come to the Father – Ephesians 2:18
- Pours the love of God into our hearts – Romans 5:5
- Sets us free from the law of sin and death – Romans 8:2
- Gives us life – Romans 8:11
- Helps us put sin to death – Romans 8:13, Galatians 5:16
- Leads the children of God – Romans 8:14
- Reminds us that we are children of God – Romans 8:15-16
- Enables us to cry out to God as Daddy – Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6
- Frees us from a sense of fear, law, or slavery to God – Romans 8:15
- Groans with us in our suffering – Romans 8:23-26
- Prays exactly what we need when we are weak and don’t know how to pray – Romans 8:26-28
- Produces the fruit of Christ’s character in us – Galatians 5:22-23
- Makes us abound in hope – Romans 15:13
- Comforts the church – Acts 9:31
- Gives joy even in a time of trouble – 1 Thessalonians 1:6
- Makes us competent for ministry – 2 Corinthians 3:5-6
- Shows us the beauty of Christ and transforms us into that same image – 2 Corinthians 3:18
- Satisfies our thirsty souls – John 7:37-39
- Gives us words in times of opposition – Luke 12:12
What from the above list especially speaks to your current situation or needs? Choose one to two items that seem especially meaningful or relevant to you.
How about the needs of others around you, especially your brothers and sisters in Christ? Choose one or two items that speaking into these relationships or situations.
If you haven’t already done so, go to the relevant Scripture passages for your chosen items and sit with them, talking to God about their impact on you and how the Holy Spirit promises to work in God’s children.
Take some time to write a prayer for yourself and those around you using the items that you chose from the above list. Rest confidently in the promised work of the Holy Spirit, waiting upon him in humble dependence, surrendered to him as he leads forward.
Close with a short time of prayer, thanking God for his abundant help and the gift of the Holy Spirit given to you and all his children.