Seeking God every day.
We want to help you to read through the Bible without getting lost or giving up. This series has a video for every New Testament book of the Bible that outlines its literary design and main ideas, showing you how it fits into the entire biblical story.
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The constant pressure of being an example to the kids in your life can be tough. None of us are perfect: we snap at our kids, get irritated when they don’t listen, and feel guilty when we give them an extra hour of screen time. We’re human. So, how can we possibly be expected to set an example of perfection when it comes to our little ones? That’s where the Holy Spirit comes in.
God’s Holy Spirit lives inside everyone who follows Jesus, giving us the ability to embody godly attributes (kindness, gentleness, and self-control, to name a few).
The children in our lives need those things just as much as we do. They get frightened, impatient, and frustrated, too.
The concept of teaching children about the Holy Spirit can be overwhelming. But, it’s important that they understand that God loves them so much that He sent His Spirit to be with them forever.
Not sure where to start? Check out Into the Clouds and God’s Wonderful Gift with your kids, and help them learn about the Holy Spirit in ways they can easily understand. Find these story icons in the app to get started:
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Imagine God’s Spirit hovering over the face of the earth. Everything is dark and without form until God breathes out the words, “Let there be light.” In an instant, everything changes. The light pierces the darkness, and what was once invisible is now seen clearly. This is what God’s Spirit does. He is always close, always near, always bringing to light what was once covered in darkness.
He was there with Moses, leading the Israelites through the wilderness. He was there with David, empowering him to defeat Goliath. He was there with the prophet Isaiah, giving him the words to say about the coming of Jesus. He was there with Jesus, setting Him apart as God’s Son. And God’s Holy Spirit is still here. Now, anyone who believes in Jesus can experience the Holy Spirit’s profound presence.
But what does that actually mean? What does experiencing the Holy Spirit look like?
There’s evidence throughout Scripture that the Holy Spirit empowered particular people to take part in His plans and to remind others of His purpose. But Jesus’ sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection changed everything. For the first time in history, anyone who chose to believe in Jesus could receive His Holy Spirit.
The gift of the Holy Spirit is still available to anyone who believes in Jesus. And by receiving that gift, God empowers us to live in a way that honors Him and reflects His character. Essentially, when we ask God to draw near to us, we become more aware of God’s presence and power in our lives. This means that even in our darkest moments, we are never actually alone. The Holy Spirit is closer to you than your own breath.
No matter your situation or background, when you belong to Christ, His Holy Spirit is with you at all times, empowering and strengthening you, and praying on your behalf. He understands your needs because He understands you.
And because God understands you, He is always working on your behalf for your good and His glory. This doesn’t mean you won’t endure suffering or encounter hardships. But even in the midst of those trials, God, through the power of His Holy Spirit, will continue to draw you closer to Himself.
Even when you’re at your weakest, there is nothing that God cannot do through you when His Holy Spirit lives within you.
You are never far from God’s presence. When you make the decision to accept Jesus as the risen Son of God, you get all the benefits that come with that— including the Holy Spirit being with you at all times.
So take a moment and ask yourself these reflection questions:
Do I believe that Jesus is God?
Have I asked Jesus to change my life?
If you can answer “yes” to both of those questions, then you have access to God’s Holy Spirit. But having access to God and going through life with God are completely different things.
When we obey God out of love for Him and acknowledge Jesus as Lord of our lives, we allow the Holy Spirit to thrive in our lives. For this reason, living a Spirit-filled life requires intentionally seeking God every day.
It’s through intentional time with God that you discover how to love Him, love others, and make disciples. It’s through getting to know God’s character that you become familiar with His Spirit’s power, presence, and authority. And it’s through the power of the Holy Spirit that you become aware of how your actions and choices affect your relationship with God and other people.
Ultimately, the Holy Spirit is available to everyone who becomes a follower of Christ, and He wants to empower you to live in a manner worthy of the calling God has placed on you.
If you want to discover how to live a Spirit-filled life—a life that honors God and inspires others—spend some time reading Galatians 5:22-23. Then, when you’re ready, pray through the fruit of the Spirit in this blog post.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
If you consider yourself a follower of Jesus, then the Holy Spirit is always with you, equipping you to live a life that honors God and encourages others. But although we have access to the Spirit at all times, living a Spirit-filled life involves intentionally seeking God every day.
When we allow God’s Spirit to convict, challenge, and change us, He transforms the ways we think and act.
The “fruits” of the Spirit are distinct yet interconnected—together, they prove that we are allowing God to shape every part of our lives.
The choices you make will always mirror what you are allowing to direct and guide your heart. So right now, take a moment to re-read Galatians 5:22-23, and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what areas of your life you need Him to transform. Then, when you’re ready, pray the following prayers with us.
A Prayer for Love
Father God, thank You for showing me what true love looks like. Please perfect me in Your love by showing me the parts of my life that are not in line with Your Holy Spirit. Show me where I am selfish, self-serving, and easily angered, so that I can surrender those things to You and allow You to replace those traits with Your selfless love. Transform me into someone who loves others just like You love me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Prayer for Joy
God, thank You for giving me constant access to Your presence. Because You are always with me, I can experience true joy at all times. Although the joy You give isn’t based on my circumstances, I don’t always live a life marked by joy. Too often, instead of trusting You, I let my problems dictate my reactions. Please forgive me! Fill me with Your joy and peace, so that by the power of Your Holy Spirit, I may abound in hope at all times. Help me to live a life marked by undefeatable joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Prayer for Peace
Father God, I often find myself overwhelmed by circumstances that are beyond my control, and I am easily distracted by things that don’t matter. Please forgive me for not consistently placing my trust in You. Even when I am faced with intense situations, You are still with me. You are the Creator of peace, and I can have access to Your peace-filled presence whenever I draw near to You. So instead of silencing Your Holy Spirit when I start to feel anxious or discouraged, help me to make room in my heart and mind to experience the peace You freely give. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Prayer for Patience
Holy Spirit, create in me a clean heart that seeks the best in others. Help me to show empathy and compassion to everyone, and to do so with gentleness and respect. When people or circumstances don’t meet my expectations, empower me to show grace and understanding. Help me to see my situations from Your perspective so that I can rejoice at all times and show patience when needed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Prayer for Kindness
God, thank You for continually showing me Your steadfast love and mercy. You are so good! Lord, I frequently find myself easily angered, hurt, or offended. Please change the way I think and behave. It is through Your Spirit that I am forgiven and empowered. So today, I invite You to guide me, direct me, and show me how to display kindness to others as You have displayed kindness toward me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Prayer for Goodness
Holy Spirit, there is nowhere I can run to escape Your presence! You won’t give up on me because You are too kind to leave me the way You found me. You guide me, counsel me, and show me the paths that lead to life. Today, make me more aware of Your goodness so that I can share Your goodness with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Prayer for Self-Control
Holy Spirit, let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to You! I don’t want to grieve You by living in a manner unworthy of the calling You’ve placed on my life. Instead, I want to live a disciplined, thoughtful life because I know this honors You. So when I am tempted to give in to anger, selfishness, or pride, help me to consider others as better than myself, and allow me to do this with humility and grace. I surrender control of my life to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Prayer for Faithfulness
God, You make all things beautiful in their proper timing. Nothing is too hard for You to accomplish! You are faithful to keep Your promises. But so often, I forget this and grow discouraged when my situations don’t seem to change. In those moments, it’s easy to forget that You are not done working. Through Your Holy Spirit, please change the way I think and behave. When I start to grow weary, help me to remember that You are with me, You are faithful, and You have given me everything I need to live a faith-filled life today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Prayer for Gentleness
Holy Spirit, help me pay close attention to the ways that You call me by name and draw me closer to You. And as You do that, show me how to live in a manner worthy of the calling You’ve given me. Help me to not do anything with selfish ambition, but instead, show me how to consider others as better than myself. Rather than seeking to immediately correct the wrongs I see in other people, let me first bring my concerns to You and allow You to direct my response. Let the conversations I have with others be filled with gentleness and respect so that nothing in my life detracts people from seeing You through me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Did these prayers encourage or inspire you? Save a couple to your YouVersion Prayer List. Throughout your week, continue to intentionally draw near to God through prayer, and allow His Holy Spirit to shape the way you live.
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The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
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He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters
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he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
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Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
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You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
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Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
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