The Church's Prayer to the Holy Ghost (1759)
The Holy Spirit is the Church's Mother, guiding and empowering believers for growth, service, and spiritual renewal.
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.
Text
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.
Sermon Outline
- The Holy Spirit as the Church's Mother
- The Holy Spirit's role in the Church's growth and development
- The Holy Spirit's character and attributes
- The Holy Spirit as the source of the Church's life
- The Holy Spirit as the Church's guide and teacher
- The Holy Spirit's power to quicken and revive believers
- The Holy Spirit's role in the Church's distribution of spiritual food
- The Holy Spirit's kindness, patience, and forgiveness
- The Holy Spirit's role in protecting the Church from temptation and evil
Key Quotes
“Thou, who from the Father hast 'Fore all Time proceeded, Spirit, by whom the Virgin Blest The Son here conceived!” — Count Zinzendorf
“MOTHER! all the Church's Life Is the Father's Kindness, Our Lord's Patience with his Wife, And thy rich Forgiveness.” — Count Zinzendorf
“Amen, Ruach Elohim! Come in th' Name of Jesus, Thy Children's whole Sanhedrim Rule with Instinct gracious.” — Count Zinzendorf
Application Points
- Pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment in your life and in the life of the Church.
- Seek to understand and experience the Holy Spirit's kindness, patience, and forgiveness in your life.
- Recognize the Holy Spirit's role in protecting the Church from temptation and evil, and seek to live a life of obedience to God.