{"id":4772,"date":"2016-01-12T07:07:25","date_gmt":"2016-01-12T12:07:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/tomzampino\/?p=4772"},"modified":"2016-01-12T13:38:48","modified_gmt":"2016-01-12T18:38:48","slug":"augustine-a-morning-reflection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/tomzampino\/2016\/01\/augustine-a-morning-reflection\/","title":{"rendered":"Augustine: A Morning Reflection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

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I rarely spend enough time in prayer.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not that I can\u2019t make the time.<\/p>\n

I can.<\/p>\n

But I let my days, all too often, just slip away.<\/p>\n

And other things \u2013 things which feel so much more important, things which feel so much more pressing \u2013 quickly overwhelm.<\/p>\n

They take over.<\/p>\n

And even time spent pursuing\u00a0good things<\/em> can cause us to forget about the power of connection.<\/p>\n

But that power is not necessarily one that can or will change things<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Rather, it is a power that just might\u00a0change us<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a moment to let\u00a0Augustine of Hippo<\/a>\u00a0guide us through a reflection for this day, in the form of a prayer to the Holy Spirit, as he reminds us to ask for grace.<\/p>\n

A Prayer To The Holy Spirit<\/b><\/p>\n

Holy Spirit, powerful Consoler, sacred Bond of the Father and the Son,<\/p>\n

Hope of the afflicted, descend into my heart and establish in it your loving dominion.<\/p>\n

Enkindle in my tepid soul the fire of your Love so that I may be wholly subject to you.<\/p>\n

We believe that when you dwell in us, you also prepare a dwelling for the Father and the Son.<\/p>\n

Deign, therefore, to come to me, Consoler of abandoned souls, and Protector of the needy.<\/p>\n

Help the afflicted, strengthen the weak, and support the wavering.<\/p>\n

Come and purify me.<\/p>\n

Let no evil desire take possession of me.<\/p>\n

You love the humble and resist the proud.<\/p>\n

Come to me, glory of the living, and hope of the dying.<\/p>\n

Lead me by your grace that I may always be pleasing to you.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

You can learn a bit more about Augustine by clicking on the embedded video below:<\/p>\n