Desire for Increased Power
It is indeed a matter of great solace that the presence and the power of God within us can be increased. Firstly, the power of the Holy Spirit within us can be recovered, augmented, and enlarged.
For that, first of all, we need to ‘desire’ that increase. Remember the words of Mother Mary, “… he has filled the hungry with good things…” (Luke 1:53). Therefore, we need to get hungry and thirsty for an increased power of God within us. When the power of the Holy Spirit increases in us, we can pray easily, enjoy reading the Holy Bible, have a real ‘live’ experience in the Holy Eucharist, feel the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit wherever we go, and walk easily in the ‘communion’ of the Holy Spirit.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled,” (Matthew 5:6).
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Next, we need to desire the baptism of the Holy Spirit. As mentioned earlier, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an overwhelming experience of being utterly filled with the Holy Spirit. Consequently, this experience will release the presence of the Lord in you, leading to an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon you. After this experience, the Holy Spirit will reside in you in power, activating the spiritual gifts in you. You will begin to experience Him decisively.
“Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit,” (Ephesians 5:18).
Persistent Prayer
If you have not received this experience, you need to pray daily until you do. This experience is for you and everyone! Thus, believe in His promises and pray without losing heart. The first key to elevate the power of God in your life is to pray. Prayer escalates the power of the Holy Spirit within us manifold. Therefore, pray daily and see the difference. Begin with at least half an hour of prayer and increase the duration gradually.
“Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God,” (Luke 6:12).
Power of Prayer
After prayer, “And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them,” (Luke 6:19).
Daily Bible Reading
The second key is to read the Holy Bible every day. Therefore, make it a point to spend time with the Word of God daily. The more you read the Word of God, the more firmly cemented the power of God will be within you.
“… The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life,” (John 6:63b).
Holy Communion
The third key is to receive the Holy Communion with purity and faith, as frequently as possible. Receiving the Holy Communion with faith and reverence will proliferate the graces given to you. Receiving the Holy Communion with purity will cause your relationship with the Holy Spirit to become robust and sturdy.
“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them,” (John 6:56).
Daily Worship
The fourth key is learning to worship God every day. Worshiping God daily will amplify the power of God within you. Therefore, worship the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit regularly.
“… the Father seeks such as these to worship him,” (John 4:23).
Praying in Tongues
The fifth key is to pray in the prayer-language the Holy Spirit has given you. Try to pray in tongues every day for more than half an hour, and keep increasing the time.
“Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves…,” (1Cor. 14:4).
Fasting and Prayer
The sixth key is to fast and pray. Fasting boosts the power of God in our lives. Therefore, try to fast once a day, every week. Begin by skipping a meal or two and gradually increase to a 24-hour fast, with only water.
After the 40 days’ fast of Jesus, the Holy Bible tells us, “Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country,” (Luke 4:14).
Control Your Tongue
The seventh key is to keep your tongue under real control. That means, talk less! Going around talking about things not pertaining to your life will stunt your growth in Christ.
“Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one,” (Matthew 5:37).
Reject Unclean Thoughts
The eighth key is to reject every unclean thought. Do not ponder on any thought that will not build you up.
“Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things,” (Philippians 4:8).
Obedience to God
The ninth key is obeying God. Obey the voice of the Holy Spirit within you. He speaks to us, restrains us, and leads us. Therefore, try sincerely to follow His leading.
“Take heed then how you hear; for to him who has will more be given, and from him who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” (Luke 8:18).
“And we are witness to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him,” (Acts 5:32).
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God,” (Romans 8:14).
Live a Surrendered Life
The tenth key is to live a life surrendered to God. No matter what your vocation is, live a life surrendered to God. People who carry a greater presence and power of the Holy Spirit are invariably those who live a life of absolute surrender to Jesus.
“Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ …” (Luke 1:38).
Attend Prayer Meetings
The eleventh key is attending prayer meetings and Adoration frequently. Spiritual meetings led by the Spirit are places where His power is transferred into our lives. Therefore, sitting silently in the Eucharistic Adoration in spirit and truth will elevate the power of the Holy Spirit in your life.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them,” (Matthew 18:20).
“… in every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you,” (Exodus 20:24b).
Associate with the Right People
The twelfth key is to associate with people who love the power of God in their lives, people who have a desire to grow in Christ. Not only the Scriptures but even secular psychology vouches that ‘we become like the people we associate with.’
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus,” (Acts 4:13).
Discipline Your Life
The thirteenth key is to discipline your life according to the Word of God and the teaching of the Church. No matter what your call is, live a disciplined life. This includes your eating, sleeping, dressing habits, and watching habits. People who have grown in the Lord are those who have disciplined their lives.
“Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion, your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour,” (1Peter 5:8).
Walk in Holiness
The fourteenth key is to love the holiness of God. Hate the sin in your life. Walk in holiness, keep your eyes under control, and go for confession regularly. Also, confess the venial sins. Do it once a week if possible.
“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions,” (Hebrews 1:9).
Attend Retreats
The fifteenth key is to attend a powerful week-long residential retreat every six months. Attend retreats that will encourage you to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. Wonderful things happen in the retreats. There is an incredible outpouring of the Holy Spirit that takes place again and again in the retreats.
Read Spiritual Books
The sixteenth key is to read books that are powered by the Holy Spirit. Read books of the Saints who had power with God. There is an impartation and inspiration that comes from reading spiritual books, especially those written by Saints and about Saints.
Walk in Love
The seventeenth key is to walk in the love of God, love your neighbor, and walk in the fruit of the Spirit.
“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up,” (1Cor. 8:1).
Fellowship with the Holy Spirit
The eighteenth key is walking in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Talk to the Holy Spirit and build your relationship. He is the Source of all the power.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you,” (2Cor.13:13).
Give Glory to God
The nineteenth key to increased power of God in our lives is to give ‘glory’ to God. That means, it is not I but Christ in me.
“I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other,” (Isaiah 42:8).
