======================================================================== THE CHURCH'S PRAYER TO THE HOLY GHOST (1759) by Count Zinzendorf ======================================================================== Summary: The Holy Spirit is the Church's Mother, guiding and empowering believers for growth, service, and spiritual renewal. Topics: "Holy Spirit", "Church Guidance" Scripture References: John 15:26, John 16:13, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 5:26, 1 Peter 5:8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DESCRIPTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Count Zinzendorf preaches a sermon focusing on the roles of the Holy Spirit in the Church, emphasizing the divine origins of the Spirit from the Father and the crucial part played in the conception of Jesus. The sermon highlights the Holy Spirit as the Church's Mother, bringing clarity and understanding of Jesus' Word to believers and guiding them into the righteousness of God through the distribution of spiritual nourishment. Count Zinzendorf also acknowledges the Holy Spirit's role in sustaining and protecting the Church from temptations and the attacks of the enemy, ultimately praying for the Spirit's continued presence and guidance among believers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Thou, who from the Father hast 'Fore all Time proceeded, Spirit, by whom the Virgin Blest The Son here conceived! 2. Since the Lamb of God, so red, Is his People's Brother, And Christ's God their Father's made, Thou'rt the Church's Mother. 3. Of thy Name, O God, and Breath Grant us still the Nearness! That the Word of Jesu's Shine to Souls with Clearness. 4. Whom from Death-Sleep of the Fall Our dear Lord doth quicken, Fetch into thy Church-Ark all; Help their Abba speaking. 5. As in greatest Things thy Will Meets with Execution: So in small shall it fulfil His Church-Constitution. 6. Of the Righteousness of God Thro' the Blood-Effusion, Of that daily Bread and Food Thou mak'st Distribution. 7. MOTHER! all the Church's Life Is the Father's Kindness, Our Lord's Patience with his Wife, And thy rich Forgiveness. 8. We would fain not tempted be, With none thus distressed; Yet if one's chastis'd by Thee, It to him be blessed. 9. And till once the wicked Fiend Is at God's Feet lying, (Ps. cx.1. Heb. ii.8.) Sleeps within thy Cradle screen'd The Church from his Trying. 10. Amen, Ruach Elohim! Come in th' Name of Jesus, Thy Children's whole Sanhedrim Rule with Instinct gracious. ======================================================================== Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/count-zinzendorf/the-churchs-prayer-to-the-holy-ghost-1759/ ========================================================================