"Ask and you will receive." (John 16:24)
At the Last Supper, Jesus promised his disciples that he would give them the Holy Spirit. But how would they—and how would we—know the love and help that the Spirit has come to give? Jesus’ answer is simple: Ask!
So what will we receive if we ask for the Spirit?
First, and most important, we will receive revelation. One of the Spirit’s most vital gifts is that he shows us Jesus in a new and more glorious light. We see him not only as a man who died on the cross centuries ago but as our own Lord and Savior. Through the Spirit’s power, we see Jesus as a living person, the Son of God whose love for us is constant, perfect, and intimate. And not only do we see Jesus; we experience his presence in a powerful way. We feel his joy, his mercy, and his freedom in our hearts.
Along with this gift of revelation, the Spirit gives us a peace that the world cannot give (John 14:27). He helps us stay rooted in Jesus and his love for us, so that we can weather the storms of life. By constantly reminding us that we are treasured children of God, the Spirit helps calm our fears and anxieties. He brings us to a place of rest and trust. And he convinces us that we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us.
St. Paul tells us that the Spirit also prays with us and for us "according to God’s will" (Romans 8:27). Even as we are asking, so is the Spirit. Only he is asking for the things that we don’t even know we need. He is asking for the yearnings in our hearts that we don’t dare speak. In other words, we don’t have to worry about a thing. All we have to do is keep seeking the Spirit and trying our best to submit to him. Then the Spirit, who searches our hearts, will give us every good and perfect gift we could ever need.
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