The Christian life is not meant to be lived in our own strength. It is meant to be lived in dependence on the Holy Spirit.
Jesus lived this way. Though fully God, He chose to live His earthly life led by the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, and empowered by the Spirit. The early church lived this way as well. Again and again in the book of Acts, believers are filled with the Holy Spirit and given power to live, speak, and witness with boldness.
This is God’s design for us.
When we try to live the Christian life on our own power, we eventually struggle. We grow frustrated. We try harder, but still fall short. God never intended for us to live this life alone. He invites us to live dependent, surrendered, and responsive to the Spirit at work within us.
Living by the Spirit does not mean passivity. We still walk in obedience. We still pursue faithfulness. But now we do so with God’s power, not just our own effort. The Spirit enables what we cannot accomplish on our own.
Being filled with the Spirit is not something we achieve—it is the gift of God to all believers. Yet so often we live with little to no awareness of the Spirit within us. How do we become more aware of the Holy Spirit? We can come to God daily with humility, trust, and expectancy, asking Him to open our eyes.
Take a moment to pause and pray the prayer below. Pray it slowly. Pray it honestly. Let it shape your dependence on God today.
Lord, would you fill me afresh
with your Holy Spirit?
Lord, would you empower me each day
with your Spirit?
Lord, would you anoint me with power
from your Holy Spirit?
Lord, I pray that you would fill me with the fruit of the Spirit,
with the power of the Spirit,
with the gifts of the Spirit.
Holy Spirit, may I never be confused
about who you are—
the third Person of the Godhead.
Holy Spirit, may I certainly never be afraid of you!
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
We need you!
We love you!
We bless you!