2 Corinthians 1:10: “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again.” We may face dangers that threaten our souls, families, jobs, children, and ministries. These include the fear of death, attacks of the devil, and unexpected troubles. But the Lord promises to deliver us. God’s Word reminds us of three important truths: He has delivered us, He is delivering us even now, and He will deliver us again. Therefore, let us place our hope in Him.
First, let us thank the Lord for saving us from the danger of death. How much we ought to praise Him for preserving our lives! We may have faced dangers without even knowing it, including the schemes of wicked people, jealousy, and the consequences of sin. Yet the Lord has rescued us from destruction. Let us praise His holy name, saying, “Thank You, Lord, for saving me from destruction!”
Secondly, the Lord continues to protect us every moment. We are sustained by His grace and mercy, which never come to an end. Every morning, He provides fresh mercies to strengthen and preserve us. Therefore, let us continually thank Him for His unfailing love and care.
Thirdly, the Lord will deliver us again. Believing this promise, let us hold firmly to Him. However, we must not live carelessly, assuming that He will rescue us regardless of our choices. Instead, we must walk in holiness, live uprightly, honour God, and faithfully obey His Word. As we remain steadfast in Him, we can trust His continued protection.
Now, let us receive the blessing from Psalm 91:2–10 and make these words our personal confession of faith: “You are my refuge, my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” He will save us from the fowler’s snare and deadly pestilence. He will cover us with His wings, and under His feathers we will find refuge. His faithfulness will be our shield and buckler.
We need not fear the terror that comes by night, the arrow that flies by day, the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday. Though a thousand may fall at our side and ten thousand at our right hand, we need not be afraid, for the Lord is our refuge. We may witness the consequences of wickedness around us, but we can rest securely in His protection. When we make the Most High our dwelling place, no evil shall befall us, nor shall any plague come near our dwelling. Let us hold firmly to these promises and declare them in faith. Thank You, Father, for guarding us according to Your Word. Thank You, Jesus, for delivering us. Grant us the grace to walk in holiness and reverence, and bless us abundantly.
My dear one, Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is not merely against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places. We face spiritual battles against evil forces, but Jesus Christ has triumphed over them through His victory on the cross. Through Him, we can trust God to sustain us through the dangers these forces seek to bring into our lives. There is tremendous power in the name of Jesus, and the Lord places His name upon His children. Therefore, be courageous and trust in His mighty name.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for delivering me from every danger and protecting me by Your grace and mercy. Thank You for saving me from the dangers of death, hidden threats, jealousy, wicked conspiracies, and every evil power. Be my refuge, fortress, shield, and protector. Deliver me and my family from every danger, and guard our children, jobs, ministry, and homes. Help us to walk in holiness, righteousness, reverence, and obedience to Your Word. Strengthen our faith and teach us to trust You every day. Cover us under Your mighty wings, place the name of Jesus upon us, and make us prosper. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Novena to The Holy Ghost
(especially for use from the Ascension of our Lord to the Vigil of Pentecost)
Begin with this prayer each day:
O HOLY Spirit, my Lord and my God, I adore thee and humbly acknowledge here in thy sacred presence that I am nothing, and can do nothing, without thy operation within me. Come, great Paraclete, thou Father of the poor, thou Comforter of the blest, fulfill the promise of our Saviour, who would not leave us orphans, and enter my mind and heart as thou didst descend on the day of Pentecost upon the holy Mother of Jesus and upon his first disciples. Grant that I may have a part in those gifts which thou didst so prodigally bestow upon them.
Take from my heart all that is not pleasing to thee and make of it a worthy dwelling-place for Jesus. Illumine my mind, that I may see and understand the things that are for my eternal welfare.
Inflame my heart with pure love of the Father, that, cleansed from attachment to all unworthy objects, my whole life may be hidden with Jesus in God.
Strengthen my will, that it may be conformable to the will of my Creator and guided by thy holy inspirations.
Aid me to practice the heavenly virtues of humility, poverty and obedience which are taught me in the earthly life of Jesus.
Descend upon me, 0 mighty Spirit, that, inspired and encouraged by thee, I may faithfully fulfill the duties of my state in life, carry my daily cross with patience and courage, and accomplish the Father's will for me more perfectly. Make me, day by day, more holy and give to me that heavenly peace which the world cannot give.
O Holy Spirit, thou Giver of every good and perfect gift, grant to me the intentions of this novena of prayer. May the Father's will be done in me and through me. And mayest thou, 0 mighty Spirit of the living God, be praised and glorified for ever and ever. Amen.
Vent Creator Spiritus
COME, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, And lighten with celestial fire, Thou the anointing Spirit art, Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart. Thy blessed unction from above, Is comfort, life, and fire of love, Enable with perpetual light The dullness of our blinded sight. Anoint and cheer our soiled face With the abundance of thy grace. Keep far our foes, give peace at home; Where thou art Guide, no ill can come. Teach us to know the Father, Son, And thee, of both, to be but One; That, through the ages all along, This may be our endless song: Praise to thy eternal merit, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
OUR FATHER.
HAIL, MARY.
Then either the following prayer, or else one of the proper prayers below:
Let us pray. GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit: grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Day
Come O Holy Ghost, the Lord and Life-giver; take up thy dwelling within my soul, and make of it thy sacred temple. Make me live by grace as an adopted son of God. Pervade all the energies of my soul, and create in me a fountain of living water springing up into life everlasting.
Second Day
Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, and power, and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Show me the way by which I may be able to attain to them, and possess them, and hold them hereafter, my own forever.
Third Day
Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten my mind, that I 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 the clear vision of thee and the Father and the Son.
Fourth Day
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 path of thy commandments to the goal of eternal life.
Fifth Day
Come, O Spirit of Fortitude, and give courage to my soul. Make my heart strong in all trials and in all distress, pouring forth abundantly into it the gifts of strength, that I may be able to resist the attacks of the devil.
Sixth Day
Come, O Spirit of Knowledge, and make me understand and despise the emptiness and nothingness of the world. Give me grace to use the world only for thy glory and the salvation of thy creatures. May I always be very faithful in putting thy rewards before every earthly gift.
Seventh Day
Come, O Spirit of Piety, possess my heart; incline it to a true faith in thee, to a holy love of thee, my God, that with my whole soul I may seek thee, and find thee my best, my truest joy.
Eighth Day
Come, O Spirit of holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set thee, my Lord and God, before my face forever; and shun all things that can offend thee so that I may be made worthy to appear before the pure eyes of thy divine Majesty in the heaven of heavens, where thou livest and reignest in the unity of the Ever-blessed Trinity, world without end.
Ninth Day
Come, O Holy Comforter, and grant me a relish for heavenly things. Produce in my soul the fruits of virtue, so that, being filled with all sweetness and joy in the pursuit of good, I may attain unto eternal blessedness. (Saint Augustine's Prayer Book - pages 314-319)
