Moments in Prayer 2023
“The fruit of the Spirit is…faithfulness….” (Galatians 5:22)
“…great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:23)
“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
Our August “Moments in Prayer” is focused on prayers for the Holy Spirit to fill us with Faithfulness (Pistis). This is the seventh quality in the fruit of the Spirit list we find in Galatians 5:22-23. The specific Greek word pistis is commonly translated as “faith” (Matthew 9:22; 15:28; Luke 7:50) but because in Galatians 5:22-23 it is part of a list of Holy Spirit produced character qualities, most modern translations (cf. NIV, ESV, NRSV, NLT, etc.) translate pistis here as “faithfulness” rather than “faith” as in the KJV. Just as God’s character is faithful, so also does the Holy Spirit produce faithfulness in believers.
The word “faithfulness” implies trustworthiness, dependability, and sacrificial loyalty. When we pray for Holy Spirit filling that produces this kind of faithfulness in us and in our churches, we are praying for the presence of an ever-increasing loyalty and dependability that truly benefits family, friends, other believers, and neighbours—and shows the world something about God’s own faithfulness to humanity and all creation.
While this kind of faithfulness might sound like a simple promise to always be present to help and/or rescue people in need, it means more than that here. While police and other first responders are expected to be “faithful” to help and rescue people, we are called to live out a faithfulness in line with the Holy Spirit’s will for each person. God is faithful, trustworthy, dependable, and sacrificially loyal to those who call on his name, but sometimes his faithfulness means that he will not help or rescue people when they are calling on him for rescue but have no desire to repent and pursue God’s Kingdom purposes (cf. Judges 2:16-22; 10:11-14). The Holy Spirit fruit of faithfulness is like this—embodying a faithfulness in line with God’s desire for true life and flourishing for them.
Praying for faithfulness produced in us by the Holy Spirit involves being faithful to embody God’s character and will in the midst of our varied interpersonal relationships. This faithfulness will in many situations mean being present to help others in need as we are able. It will in many situations mean providing a listening ear and honouring confidentiality. But true faithfulness could also be expressed by the word “no” when saying “yes” would only produce movement away from God’s will for that person. The Holy Spirit fruit of faithfulness is deeper and more complex than simply being a person whom others can count on for help. It is a faithfulness that is always in the direction of God’s larger vision for true human flourishing, salvation, and Kingdom life.
May the Holy Spirit fill us with this kind of faithfulness visible to all those around us!
Consider:
What would it look like today to invite the Holy Spirit’s great faithfulness to wash over you, and to flood your inner life?
Where do you need to the Holy Spirit to stream out this faithfulness toward your family, friends, and neighbours?
Pray words of invitation and welcome to the Holy Spirit for your own heart:
- Welcome Holy Spirit! Come and Fill Me Today!
- Welcome Holy Spirit! Wash over me and flood my life with your faithfulness!
- Welcome Holy Spirit! May the faithfulness of Jesus overflow out of my heart upon _________ today! (Repeat this with specific names of those in your sphere of influence. Be especially aware to include those you may find difficult to be faithful toward today.)
Pray words of invitation and welcome to the Holy Spirit for your church family:
- Welcome Holy Spirit! May the faithfulness of Jesus overflow over our church family!
- Welcome Holy Spirit! May the faithfulness of Jesus overflow from our church to each visitor and each neighbour!
- Welcome Holy Spirit! May our faithfulness as a church draw people to a greater interest in responding to the invitation to become disciples of Jesus!
