The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are precious tools given by God to strengthen our Christian lives. These gifts help believers become true soldiers of Christ, equipping them to walk a life pleasing to God. According to the prophet Isaiah, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, will be full of these seven spirits.
The prophet Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would be full of the Holy Spirit, embodying the seven spirits of God, which are manifestations of the Holy Spirit.
“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD,” (Isaiah 11:1-2).
This prophecy speaks of Jesus the Messiah, foretelling how the Spirit of the Lord would rest on Him, filling Him with these gifts.
Seven Spirits of God
The Book of Revelation mentions the seven spirits of God. These spirits play a significant role in teaching those who are called, chosen, and faithful.
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who has the seven spirits of God…,” (Revelation 3:1).
“… Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne…,” (Revelation 1:4).
“Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth,” (Revelation 5:6).
Praying for the Seven Gifts
To gain a deeper understanding of the fruit that will manifest through the Messiah, Jesus Christ, read Isaiah 11:6-9.
Seek God’s Spirit day and night for the gifts of Wisdom and Understanding to guide you. Additionally, ask for the Spirit of Counsel and Might to direct you. Furthermore, pray for the Spirit of Knowledge and the Fear of the Lord to instruct you.
Oh! Holy Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, teach me!
Oh! Holy Spirit of Counsel and Might, guide me!
Oh! Holy Spirit of Knowledge and the Fear of the Lord, enlighten me!
Oh! Holy Spirit of Piety, show me the way!
Experiencing the Gifts
While teaching about the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit in the “Know the Holy Spirit” retreats, I encouraged attendees to pray for these gifts. Those who prayed sincerely experienced an increase in the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit. They shared experiences such as, “While I was praying, the Glory of God increased in me,” and “The whole atmosphere in me changed while I was praying.” I also feel the power of God intensify in me when I pray for these gifts. This has taught me the importance of desiring and praying for these gifts. I remember a prophetic word given to me when the Lord said, “I will give you the seven gifts,” through a prophetic girl in Odisha.
Importance of the Gifts
These gifts teach you to walk in the way of God and keep you strong in your faithfulness. Without these gifts, you will waver in your Christian walk. The saints of God walked on this earth as Jesus walked because they had these gifts and were obedient to the Holy Spirit.
The Catechism of the Church
The Catechism of the Church states:
“The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, the Son of David. They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations.”
Jesus Christ shares these qualities with us. They are infused into every Christian at Baptism and sealed in the Sacrament of Confirmation. Known as ‘the sanctifying gifts’ of the Spirit, they help their recipients grow in holiness and make them fit for heaven. Because of their importance, every baptized person undergoes the Sacrament of Confirmation to be enriched by these gifts.
“The reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For, by the Sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church).
