Pray it Off 6/9/2011 12 Step Christian Recovery Program

12 Step Christian Recovery Program*

Jesus said; “ I am the way, the truth and the life, no one can come to the Father except through Me”. From the Gospel of John chapter 14 verse 6

The first three steps are about making your peace with God.

Step One is recognizing your brokenness.

Step Two is about the birth of faith in you.

And Step Three involves a decision to let God be in charge of your life

Steps Four through Seven are about making peace with ourselves

Step Four involves self-examination.

Step Five is the discipline of confession.

Step Six is an inner transformation sometimes called repentance.

Step Seven involves the transformation or purification of our character

Steps Eight through Ten are about peace with others.

Step Eight involves examining our relationships and preparing ourselves to make amends.

Step Nine is the discipline of making amends.

Step Ten is about maintaining progress in
recovery.

Steps Eleven and Twelve help us keep the peace we have established.

Step Eleven involves the spiritual disciplines of prayer and meditation.

Step Twelve is about ministry.

The Steps kept Simple


The First Step tells us that our flesh and our spirit are always at war with one another and we are powerless in respect of trying by ourselves to win the war.

The Second Step tells us that coming to believe in Jesus Christ is the only way to overcome the flesh.

The Third Step tells us that unless we turn our entire will and lives over to the care of Jesus we will be still be acting as if we have the power to overcome.

The Fourth Step tells us that Jesus wants us to begin the process of healing our relationships both past and present so that we can become a disciple who can witness with no hanging baggage.

The Fifth Step tells us to continue the healing process by confessing our sins to another human being.

The Sixth Step tells us to be sure that this is what we want to do and if it is then we must be entirely ready for God to heal us of all sinful effects brought upon us by either our doing (victim) or someone else (perpetrator) or both.

The Seventh Step tells us to ask God outright to heal of the effects of our sins.

The Eight Step tells us to be willing to partake in the healing of the relationships we discovered in Step Four.

The Ninth Step tells us to actively move in conjunction with the Holy Spirit towards healing all of our relationships.

The Tenth Step tells us how to keep a Daily Inventory about our relationships and when we are wrong to try to promptly admit it. Note: our relationships include that with God as well!

The Eleventh Step tells us to talk to God (prayer), to praise Him, to meditate on His word, and to ask that His will be done for us in our lives.

Step Twelve tells us to go and do the "great commission" given in all four gospels by Jesus.

STEP ONE

I ADMIT THAT I AM POWERLESS
OVER THE EFFECTS OF MY SEPARATION OR LACK OF FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, AND THAT MY LIFE HAS BECOME UNMANAGEABLE.

What is meant by being powerless? It means that there is nothing we can do with our own power or will. No amount of effort, no amount of money, no amount of wishing and hoping and even no amount of programs or medications can alleviate the effects of our separation or lack of fellowship with God

The Book of Galatians chapter 5 verse 17 states For the flesh has desires against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want..

But praise God, there is One who can help us! The Apostle Paul tells us in the Book of Romans Chapter 7 verses 15, 17 and 24-25.

What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate. I know nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Now, note the word through because it is Jesus Christ who is going to get you through the steps.

Now what has caused this separation from God? The Book of Isaiah tells us in chapter 59 verse 2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.

This separation or lack of fellowship with God causes a sense of emptiness inside that we need to fill so we can feel better.

So, we try to fill the empty feeling with excessive drinking, drugging, gambling, pornography, overeating, and many substitute money and material items as their god. These excesses can lead to illness and sometimes death. But as someone once said; the temporary or seemingly good is often the deadly enemy of the permanent best.

And what does God say about these works of the flesh? Again, its the Book of Galatians that tells us in Chapter 5 verses 19-21 Now the works of the flesh are obvious, immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, act of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Ever since the creation of man, we have been rebelling against God. And right before He destroyed the world by a flood God said: how great was mans wickedness on earth, and how no desire that his heart conceived was ever anything but evil From Genesis chapter 6 verse 5

What we need is a clean heart. A heart that accepts God for who He is, and a heart that desires to be filled on a daily basis not of worldly things or desires but to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God. As David says in Psalm 51 verse 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Here is an excerpt from the great book Faith in the Night Seasons by Chuck and Nancy Missler. They talk about Gods will for us, the purification of the body, soul and spirit.

Gods will for the believer is sanctification-the purification of our body, soul and spirit-so that Christ can be formed in us and we can experience His fullness. This aspect of Gods will is the one Christians
understand the least.

The purpose of salvation is so that we might be reconciled to God and be
delivered from sin. God wants us freed from sin so that we might fellowship and commune with Him. He wants to dwell among us. We were created for that purpose. Gods whole purpose in creating mankind was for loving fellowship.

Sanctification is the process by which God brings this perfection and
this completion. Scripture tells us that when we first believe in Christ, we are sanctified. In other words, it’s a fact that we are set apart and holy unto God. However, in order to experience this sanctification and all the benefits that go with it, we must allow God to conform us into His image, so that we can enjoy an intimate, love relationship.

The purpose of sanctification is twofold: outwardly to reflect Christ in
all that we do (abundant Life), and inwardly to experience His presence
(and His fullness). Abundant Life is simply experiencing Gods Life (His
Love, Wisdom and Power) in and through us in place of our own. Fullness of God is being totally filled up with him (inside and out). As Colossians 3:11 expresses it, Christ (has become) all and in all.

The key here is, that before God reveals Himself to us, we must first be willing to unconditionally obey Him. The more we trust and obey Him, the more He leads and guides us; the more we allow Him to lead and guide us, the more we will get to know Him; and the more we get to know Him the more we’ll experience and see His presence in our lives.

Now let us look at the Book of Romans chapter 12 verses 1 and 2
I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.

You must now answer the following questions before going onto the next step. Do you believe that no human power can relieve your problem and that God can and will if He were sought? Do you admit that you are powerless over your circumstances and that your life is unmanageable? Do you believe that you have acted in a manner that is not very sane? What are you willing to do to get well?

When do you want to get well?

*http://www.recoveredthroughchrist.com/synopsis.htm

Pray it Off 6/9/11 Christian 12 Step Recovery

Christian 12 Step Recovery
By Dr. Richard J. Krejcir* (Edited)

This recovery program works! There has been no better way that earnestly helps people recover from their past hurts, addictions and dependency than the Twelve-Step program.


Is the 12 Step program good for a Bible-believing Christian?

YES! The twelve-step program developed and used by Alcoholics Anonymous www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/ has its roots in the research and teachings of Episcopal priest Rev. Samuel Moor Shoemaker, Jr., and Dr. Frank N.D. Buchman, a Lutheran pastor from an Oxford Christian group in England who gleaned their ideas directly from Scripture. Thus, the 12-step method is based on Christian biblical precepts.

The Alcoholics Anonymous program is based from:

• informal home-like settings for meetings, intended to highlight the pleasures of spiritual fellowship;
• an expectation that members would remain in their own churches, turning to A.A. not for theological interpretations, but for support in living a moral life;
• a focus on gradually realizing a "changed life" by passing through "stages," a concept that presents sobriety as something positive rather than merely the absence of alcohol or drunkenness;
• the policy that A.A. workers, especially its founders, should never be paid;
• an emphasis on helping others in order to change one's own life.

The Oxford Group's teachings in the early 1930’s are based on the following six, basic, biblical principles:

• Human beings are sinners.
• Human beings can be changed.
• Confession is a prerequisite to change.
• The changed soul has direct access to God.
• The age of miracles has returned.
• Those who have been changed are to change others.

In addition, A.A. incorporated the philosophy the Oxford Group's five procedures, which were:

• Giving in to God.
• Listening to God's directions.
• Checking guidance.
• Restitution.
• Sharing, both confession and witness.

Alcoholics Anonymous, in a 1937 book, by one if its founders, Wilson laid down six steps of a successful Christian recovery program, based on what he and other A.A. members experienced and learned from Pastor Shoemaker and the Oxford Group. The six steps were:

1. We admitted that we were licked, that we were powerless over alcohol.
2. We made an inventory of our defects or sins.
3. We confessed or shared our shortcomings with another person in confidence.
4. We made restitution to all those we had harmed by our drinking.
5. We tried to help other alcoholics, with no thought of reward in money or prestige.
6. We prayed to whatever god (As a follower of Christ we seek the One TRUE GOD) we thought there was for power to practice these precepts.

The twelve steps now are:

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of our selves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us, and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

12 Christian Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous & Biblical References

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol ... that our lives had become unmanageable. "I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." (Romans 7:18)

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. "... my grace is sufficient for you, for my POWER is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
..for it God Who works in you to will and act according to His good purpose.. (Phil. 2:13)

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of GOD as we understood Him. "... If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of our selves. "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord." (Lamentations 3:40)

5. Admitted to GOD, to our selves, and to another human being the exact nature
of our wrongs. "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." (James 5:16)

6. Were entirely ready to have GOD remove all these defects of character. "If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land." (Isaiah 1:19)

7. Humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings. "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4:10)

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23, 24)

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Give and it shall be given you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38)

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith GOD has given you." (Romans 12:3)

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with GOD, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will, and the power to carry that out. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly..." (Col. 3:16)

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and practice these principles in all our affairs. "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ." (Galatians 6:1-2)

In my nearly thirty years of experience in this area, I have come to understand that when an addict does not do these 12 steps, especially 1, 5 and 8, they almost always go back to their dependency! That is why these steps are so essential and timeless and they work if you work them!

You cannot help someone who does not want to be helped. We have to realize that for us to go anywhere in our recovery as well as in our life as a Christian we have to surrender it and our will to Him. As our Lord moves among us, He will only ask this question of those who want to be healed. Do you want to be healed (John 5:6)? He may say nothing to those who do not or will not look to Him. It has been my experience and research that most Christians may not yet have reached the place this man in John 5 had reached. They are not helpless enough yet. They are not ready to give up on human efforts to solve their problems. They have not realized their need or the plan that God has for them. They are not ready to admit they cannot make it on their own. They are still determined to get into the water by themselves when it is stirred, when they determine to do so, when it is their will—regardless of God’s will.

Jesus usually works within the parameters of what we will allow, so when we put up barriers, although He could easily penetrate them, He chooses to do nothing for those who do not want His help (Psalm 139 1-24; Isaiah 40:29; Jeremiah 29:11; Matthew 7:7-11; 9:12-13; Mark 9:23-24; John 3:16-18; 14:1-3; Philippians 2:12-13).

Do you want to be healed?

*http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=43597&columnid=4188

Pray It Off June 2, 2011 The Ascension and The Novena to the Holy Spirit

Ascension of Our Lord*

The Feast of the Ascension (from the Mass of St. Pius V)

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who believe Thine only-begotten Son, our Redeemer, to have this day ascended into heaven, may dwell in spirit amid heavenly things. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
History: The Ascension of Our Lord, which occurred 40 days after Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, is the final act of our redemption that Christ began on Good Friday. On this day, the risen Christ, in the sight of His apostles, ascended bodily into Heaven (Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9-11).

The reality of the Ascension is so important that the creeds (the basic statements of belief) of Christianity all affirm, in the words of theApostles' Creed, that "He ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead."
The denial of the Ascension is as grave a departure from Christian teaching as is denial of Christ's Resurrection.
Christ's bodily Ascension foreshadows our own entrance into Heaven not simply as souls, after our death, but as glorified bodies, after the resurrection of the dead at the Final Judgment. In redeeming mankind, Christ not only offered salvation to our souls but began the restoration of the material world itself to the glory that God intended before Adam's fall.

The Feast of the Ascension marks the beginning of the first novena, or nine days of prayer. Before His Ascension, Christ promised to send the Holy Spirt to His apostles. Their prayer for the coming of the Holy Spirit, which began on Ascension Thursday, ended with the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, ten days later.

*http://catholicism.about.com/od/holydaysandholidays/p/Ascension.htm

Novena to the Holy Spirit*

The Novena begins on the day after the Solemnity of the Ascension, Friday of the 6th Week of Easter. The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit
on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

To be recited daily during the Novena

On my knees I before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body 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 and am. 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 heareth." Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

To be recited daily during the Novena

O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to 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 aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit on Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear 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 animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

FIRST DAY(Friday after Ascension) Holy Spirit! Lord of Light! From Your clear celestial height, Your pure beaming radiance give!

The Holy Spirit Only one thing is important -- eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared--sin? Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for "The Spirit helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asketh for us."

Prayer Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Spirit, and hast given us forgiveness all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

SECOND DAY(Saturday) Come. Father of the poor. Come, treasures which endure; Come, Light of all that live!

The Gift of Fear The gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. "They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls."
Prayer Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set you, my Lord and God, before my face forever, help me to shun all things that can offend You, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Your Divine Majesty in heaven, where You live and reign in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God world without end. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

THIRD DAY(Sunday) Thou, of all consolers best, Visiting the troubled breast, Dost refreshing peace bestow.

The Gift of Piety The gift of Piety begets in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect for His sake persons and things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested with His authority, His Blessed Mother and the Saints, the Church and its visible Head, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of his religion, not a burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labor.

Prayer Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God, that I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

FOURTH DAY(Monday) Thou in toil art comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the heat, solace in the midst of woe.

The Gift of Fortitude By the gift of Fortitude the soul is strengthened against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and energy which move it to under take without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot human respect, and to endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation. "He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved."

Prayer Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from Thee, my God and greatest Good. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

FIFTH DAY(Tuesday) Light immortal! Light Divine! Visit Thou these hearts of Thine, And our inmost being fill!

The Gift of Knowledge The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth--in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and directs us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else. "Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it."

Prayer Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for Thy glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to Thee, and Thy eternal rewards. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

SIXTH DAY(Wednesday) If Thou take Thy grace away, nothing pure in man will stay, All his good is turn'd to ill.

The Gift of Understanding Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Spirit, helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our holy religion BY faith we know them, but by Understanding we learn to appreciate and relish them. It enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of revealed truths and through them to be quickened to newness of life. Our faith ceases to be sterile and inactive, but inspires a mode of life that bears eloquent testimony to the faith that is in us; we begin to "walk worthy of God in all things pleasing, and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Prayer Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Thy Light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

SEVENTH DAY(Thursday) Heal our wounds--our strength renews; On our dryness pour Thy dew, Wash the stains of guilt away.

The Gift of Counsel The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must done, especially in difficult circumstances. Counsel applies the principles furnished by Knowledge and Understanding to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public servants, and Christian citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. "Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct thy way in truth."

Prayer Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

EIGHTH DAY(Friday) Bend the stubborn heart and will, melt the frozen warm the chill. Guide the steps that go astray!

The Gift of Wisdom Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of wisdom it is written "all good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands." It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Saviour: "Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light.

Prayer Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them for ever. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

NINTH DAY(Saturday, Vigil of Pentecost) Thou, on those who evermore Thee confess and Thee Adore, in Thy sevenfold gift, Descend; Give Them Comfort when they die; Give them Life with Thee on high; Give them joys which never end. Amen

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit The gifts of the Holy Spirit perfect the supernatural virtues by enabling us to practice them with greater docility to divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as Fruits of the Holy Spirit. These Fruits in turn render the practice of virtue more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God, to serve Whom is to reign.

Prayer Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits, Thy charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and temperance, that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts


*http://www.ewtn.com