Veni Creator Spiritus

True prayer, by definition, comes from the heart. Many Christians think that praying extemporaneously and spontaneously is the best, most spiritual way to pray, but oftentimes my own prayers seem woefully inadequate. Ancient prayers often say what I want to say better than any words I myself can conjure.

"Veni Creator Spiritus" is a beautiful prayer that does that for me. It addresses the Holy Spirit, reminding us that He is present with us and in us to inspire and empower us to live close to the heart of the Father and to live a life worthy of our high calling in Christ Jesus. The Hymns of the Christian Church, published in the Harvard Classic series, attributes the original Latin prayer to Charlemagne, and the English translation to John Dryden.

CREATOR SPIRIT, by whose aid
The world’s foundations first were laid,
Come, visit every pious mind;
Come, pour thy joys on human kind;
From sin and sorrow set us free,
And make thy temples worthy thee.

O source of uncreated light,
The Father’s promised Paraclete,
Thrice holy fount, thrice holy fire,
Our hearts with heavenly love inspire;
Come, and thy sacred unction bring
To sanctify us while we sing.

Plenteous of grace, descend from high,
Rich in thy sevenfold energy;
Thou strength of his almighty hand,
Whose power does heaven and earth command,
Proceeding Spirit, our defence,
Who dost the gift of tongues dispense,
And crown’st thy gift with eloquence.

Refine and purge our earthy parts,
But O, inflame and fire our hearts,
Our frailties help, our vice control;
Submit the senses to the soul,
And, when rebellious they are grown,
Then lay thy hand, and hold them down.

Chase from our minds the infernal foe,
And peace, the fruit of love, bestow;
And, lest our feet should step astray,
Protect and guide us in the way;

Make us eternal truths receive
And practise all that we believe
Give us thyself, that we may see
The Father and the Son by thee.

Immortal honour, endless fame,
Attend the Almighty Father’s name:
The Saviour Son be glorified,
Who for lost man’s redemption died;
And equal adoration be,
Eternal Paraclete, to thee.