Holy Spirit

[PhilipEdmund]

Im trying to get the gifts and strength of the Holy Spirit into my life. I have actually started praying in tongues. I just do it. I have wondered about it for 20 years and always thought you had to be kind of taken over by the Spirit, but I recently read to just do it. Open your mouth and pray in another tongue. I want to know of other experiences with this…praying in tongues…what benefit it had on your life. How have you done it and why, how did you start doing it? Do you feel more in accordance with God’s will for your life?

 

[MACHIU]

Congratulations on your gifts of tongue from the Holy Spirit.

Just remember that not being able to speak in tongue does not mean you do not have the Holy Spirit in you. There are many more charisma of the Holy Spirit besides speaking in tongues. Some people could receive one, two or even more. For more on gifts from the Holy Spirit, the following may give you guidance although the gifts are not limited to the list:

• Exodus 31:-1-5
• Isa 11:2
• Acts 10:46; 12:10; 12:28-29; 19:6
• Rome 12:6-8
• 1Cor 2:10; 14:3-28
• Eph 4:11

More importantly, please read the verses that urge to use your gifts to edify the Church. Although it is important to raise your spiritual level, remember to in turn give everything back for the glory of God. See whether you are building your community through your gifts.

In the end, your gifts must bear fruits of the Holy Spirit - see

1. • John 15:4-5
   • 1Cor 13:1-3
   • Gal 5:16-26
   Jesus gave us a beautiful parable for us. Matthew 5:14-30. Receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit is like receiving talents. The important thing is from whatever you received, how can you benefit the Church and “profit” for God.
   
   May Father, Son and the Holy Spirit keeps on blessing you to fulfill your work.
   God Bless…

 

[DebChris]

The gift that you have received is one that you have always had by virtue of your Baptism and Confirmation. What you need at this point in time is support. The Church is a community and we need one another. Does your parish have a charismatic prayer group? It might be listed in the bulletin under a name like Living Waters prayer group or St. Joseph’s prayer group.
Not every parish has one. You might need to check with your diocese Charismatic Liaison Office.
In the meantime, what are the stewardship needs in your parish? A person does not need a particular charism to help out in this way.
Cultivate your prayer life. Use the gift you have received as you begin or end your daily prayers.
Look for a Life in the Spirit Seminar to help you better understand the gift you have received and how to use it. This is again where fellowship with others having the same gift is helpful.
Talk to your parish priest. He might be able to direct you to helpful resources, or help you uncover where best to use your gifts and talents.

 

[PhilipEdmund]

Great advice from both of you, thanks. You see, i kinda wonder if Im just doing it myself. I have been trying to get intirely in God’s will…desperately even. I see how my life has been lived selfishly and pretty much self destructed in many ways.

My speaking in tongues is simply to tap into this power of the Holy Spirit to understand God’s will for me. Im trying to pray in a better way, let the groanings out to God. I must confess, I had no intention of any benefit to the church by any it. But both of you gave coherent advice that went perfectly together. I do need to get into some kind of group that can help me with this. I want to get the benefit out of it…for me and others.

Im in Iraq right now so there probably wont be any groups, unless I start it. I should talk to the priest about it, we have one here at Ramadi.

Do either of you speak in tongues? And what is the benefit to your relationship with God?

 

[DebChris]

Great advice from both of you, thanks. You see, i kinda wonder if Im just doing it myself. I have been trying to get intirely in God’s will…desperately even. I see how my life has been lived selfishly and pretty much self destructed in many ways.

My speaking in tongues is simply to tap into this power of the Holy Spirit to understand God’s will for me. Im trying to pray in a better way, let the groanings out to God. I must confess, I had no intention of any benefit to the church by any it. But both of you gave coherent advice that went perfectly together. I do need to get into some kind of group that can help me with this. I want to get the benefit out of it…for me and others.

Im in Iraq right now so there probably wont be any groups, unless I start it. I should talk to the priest about it, we have one here at Ramadi.

Do either of you speak in tongues? And what is the benefit to your relationship with God?

The chaplain may actually be able to lead you toward a group, but do not start one yourself. Discernment still needs to be developed.
During a personal crisis I made an Easter retreat. A weekly ecumenical prayer group met at the retreat center run by Marianists. I found myself returning as I prayed about major decisions in my life. Before my Baptism in the Spirit (I will explain this terminology) I had stated the priorities in my life as (1) God, (2) Family, (3) Country, (4) everything else. It is one thing to make this statement and another to actually follow through in obedience to God. I knew that I would be praying in tongues by Pentecost. On Ascension Thursday, the prayer group prayed over me for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is not a new Sacrament. It is a release of the gifts that each of us has already received by virtue of our Baptism and Confirmation. One of the signs of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is praying in tongues. My gift is expressed in song.
There is not enough room in the context of these posts to describe the benefit of the gift in my relationship to God. I serve as lector. When I still lived in WI I would have people tell me they looked for my name in the bulletin to decide which Mass to attend. I know that it is not my natural reading ability that touched their hearts. I am well aware of the Holy Spirit reading through me. It is very humbling. I know that people do not understand and when I am praised I simply say “thank you” knowing full well “it’s not me.”
While I was at Ft. Sheridan, before the crisis, I spent 15 minutes a day reading the Bible. At a rate of 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sunday, it can be read in 1 year. I have read several translation from start to finish. On the retreat I discovered the Liturgy of the Hours. The rosary once more became a part of my life (It was a family tradition growing up. My father died with his rosary in his hand). My love and understanding of the Sacraments continues to grow. I have friends I would never have known without the Baptism of the Holy Spirit…

 

[MACHIU]

Great advice from both of you, thanks. You see, i kinda wonder if Im just doing it myself. I have been trying to get intirely in God’s will…desperately even. I see how my life has been lived selfishly and pretty much self destructed in many ways.

My speaking in tongues is simply to tap into this power of the Holy Spirit to understand God’s will for me. Im trying to pray in a better way, let the groanings out to God. I must confess, I had no intention of any benefit to the church by any it. But both of you gave coherent advice that went perfectly together. I do need to get into some kind of group that can help me with this. I want to get the benefit out of it…for me and others.

Im in Iraq right now so there probably wont be any groups, unless I start it. I should talk to the priest about it, we have one here at Ramadi.

Do either of you speak in tongues? And what is the benefit to your relationship with God?

Hi Philip,

I am not more spiritual than you or any of us. I personally do not have the gift of the tongue. I used to be disappointed about this especially when seeing most of my friends do and when we are praying together, my heart aches.

After hard praying and guidance, I realize that my community needs the Holy Spirit to work in different ways through me other that the form of tongues. I was fortunate enough (by God’s grace) to become a sort of counselor for the younger members in our bible sharing community. Sometimes I do not even solve any of their problems, but just being there to listen to them. When I ask this to my group guidance, he told me to read 1Cor 12:-11-14 and pray on it. After that, I felt an overwhelming joy and peace. I realize that God is using me in a special way, different from the rest of the community for the same goal - to strengthen His Church.

I don’t think it is such a bad idea for you to form a community although you definitely need someone to guide you. You can start with someone who is like minded i.e. the same longing of the Words of God. Because only in a community you can put all your learning of your faith to work. Read here. Our bible sharing community starts with just 2 people, then 4 people for the next year. After 4 years, there are more than 30 or us and most have been with us for more than a year. It does not matter how many you start with, the key is to start.

And of course read the Scripture. If you don’t know where to start, do what DebChris do. Otherwise, you can always go to any Catholic Church website and they will have daily readings from the Scripture. The readings in the Church are designed so that within a year, you will have read the important parts, and within 3 years all parts of the Scripture.

Read additional Catholic materials. This website has heaps such as this forum, previous editions of The Rock Magazines, etc.

God Bless