God The Spirit

O LORD GOD,

I pray not so much for graces as for
      the Spirit himself,
  because I feel his absence,
  and act by my own spirit in everything.
Give me not weak desires but the power of
    his presence,
  for this is the surest way to have all his graces,
  and when I have the seal I have the impression
    also;
He can heal, help, quicken, humble suddenly
    and easily,
  can work grace and life effectually,
  and being eternal he can give grace eternally.
Save me from great hindrances,
  from being content with a little measure
    of the Spirit,
  from thinking thou wilt not give me more.
When I feel my lack of him, light up life and faith,
  for when I lose thee I am either in the dark
    and cannot see thee,
  or Satan and my natural abilities content me
    with a little light,
  so that I seek no further for the Spirit of life.
Teach me then what to do.
Should I merely humble myself and not stir up
    my heart?
Should I meditate and use all means to bring
    him near,
  not being contented by one means,
  but trust him to give me a blessing by the use
    of all,
  depending only upon, and waiting always for,
    thy light, by use of means?
Is it a duty or an error to pray
  and look for the fullness of the Spirit in me?
Am I mistaken in feeling I am empty of the Spirit
  because I do not sense his presence within,
  when all the time I am most empty
  and could be more full by faith in Christ?
Was the fullness of the Spirit in the apostles
  chiefly a power,
  giving the subsistence outside themselves
    in Christ,
  in whom was their life and joy?
Teach me to find and know fullness of the Spirit
  only in Jesus.

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