Effortless & Light
With Catherine Lannuzel
I spent the first part of my Christian life with no knowledge of who or what the Holy Spirit was. I was brought up in a traditional Anglican church where the word of God and prayer was focused on but not the Holy Spirit. When I was 15 I was confirmed. I remember the Bishop overseeing the service and anointing our heads with oil. We were told this was symbolic of us receiving the Holy Spirit. I remember being intrigued by this but not really understanding what it meant.
In my 20s I began attending a different church and it was here that I first heard teaching on the Holy Spirit. Since then my Christian experience has been totally different. Everything seemed to make sense. Things that seemed impossible or difficult before became natural. Before, praying seemed dry and powerless. Now, especially through praying in tongues, it seems effortless and I can sense the presence of God, what I should pray or that things feel different afterwards.
Usually when I begin praying for a person or situation, I am unsure exactly what to pray, so I usually begin by praying in tongues. After a while certain images, feelings or words come into my mind and I allow myself to be guided by those. For example, recently I have been praying for someone who is unwell. As I prayed in tongues, an image of her walking in green fields came into my mind and I was reminded of Psalm 23: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
I began praying the words and it seemed to fit the situation. I also felt the peace and power of the Holy Spirit as I prayed it and so was encouraged to persist with praying those words over the situation.
Another difference the Holy Spirit has made is in reading the Bible. Before it seemed confusing, dull and just like historical words on paper. Now when I read it, often certain parts jump out at me and seem to come alive. This is what is described by many as a rhema word. A rhema word could be described as God's Spirit taking a general word to everybody from the bible and applying it to you in a personal and practical way.
The rhema word can happen when you’re reading a particular passage of Scripture, perhaps one you have seen many times before, and you see it in a new light and see how it applies to your life personally.
The biggest difference the Holy Spirit has made is in how I feel when praying, worshiping or reading the Bible. Before everything seemed to be grey and monotone, now it’s as though the colour has been added. To me, the Holy Spirit is without doubt an essential ingredient in doing the Christian life. Without it our faith would be like bread without the yeast, a film without the colour or a song without the melody.
