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9 Days to a Deeper Prayer Life with the Holy Spirit
The primary aim of this novena is to seek out a deeper prayer life through a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit. The entire purpose of the spiritual life is to come closer to God through prayer and action. The best way to initiate a better and deeper prayer life is through the giver of life Himself, the Holy Spirit.
29 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 16, 2016
9 Days to a Deeper Prayer Life with the Holy Spirit was exactly as the title described it although it doesn't have to be done in 9 days. I did it that way because I was looking for a traditional 9 day novena preparation for Pentecost, which it does beautifully. It can also be prayed all at once or in any combination of the days which are devoted to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit—wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord (wonder)—as well as absolute love of God and surrender to the Will of God. Although designed for the period between Ascension and Pentecost, it can be done anytime. Highly recommended!
May 6, 2016: John-Paul and Annie Deddens started the Pray More Novenas back when they were still dating because they couldn't remember to say the prayers every day for nine days. Now they are married and working this site full-time. This book supplements their novena, the Original Novena, commemorating the Apostles and Mary in the Upper Room praying and waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit. If you want to pray the novena, today, the day after the Ascension, is the day to begin!
May 6, 2016: John-Paul and Annie Deddens started the Pray More Novenas back when they were still dating because they couldn't remember to say the prayers every day for nine days. Now they are married and working this site full-time. This book supplements their novena, the Original Novena, commemorating the Apostles and Mary in the Upper Room praying and waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit. If you want to pray the novena, today, the day after the Ascension, is the day to begin!
July 4, 2016
I got this short e-book for free when it was first released (in December 2014), but didn’t pick it up and actually open it until 10 days ago. Since the authors, John-Paul and Annie Deddens, run a website called praymorenovenas.com it probably should have been obvious to me that a book called “9 Days to a Deeper Prayer Life with the Holy Spirit” would be a novena to the Holy Spirit…but for some reason it never occurred to me. So, I opened it up to see what this book was all about and discovered it’s an e-book version of a novena the authors wrote for the express purpose of praying for a deeper prayer life. While I’ve been a subscriber to the authors’ site for a couple of years, I have to say it’s been a long, long time since I’ve actually prayed any of the prayers…so I decided to “read” (ie, pray) the book. Below are some thoughts I have about the book!
So, firstly – I’m impressed that the authors made the effort to get an “imprimatur,” which is a simple declaration from a representative of the Catholic Church that a book is “free from doctrinal or moral error.” Essentially, you can be sure there is nothing in the book that will expressly contradict established teachings of the Church. There are lots of books that have one, and lots that don’t. I like it when they have one – then I don’t feel like I have to weed through and be attentive that I’m not leading myself astray.
Secondly, the book gives a nice little background explanation about what a novena is, how it came to be, and why one might consider praying one. I’d never read about the origins of novenas before and so I found this to be quite useful and interesting. The authors also provide some background thoughts on why it’s important to strengthen our relationship with the Holy Spirit. While this is super basic and takes only a few pages, I think it was a great section to include and touches on some important ideas. If you’re interested in understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives, this provides a nice, short explanation.
Finally, the book then goes into the nine days of prayer. The prayers are short and simple and took me between five and ten minutes to pray each night for nine nights. I don’t know exactly that I’d say I have a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit today than I did ten days ago, but I can say that reading the book motivated me to actually pray every night for the past nine nights. As important as my Catholic faith is to me, I fall very, very easily into an “academic” or “intellectual” rather than a truly lived faith. I appreciate and make an effort to understand the doctrine and the “rules,” but have a hard time talking to God or allowing an emotional connection. Alas, all the thinking is nothing without the relationship, and I do feel this book was, for me, one small step in the direction of strengthening that relationship.
What surprised me the most reading this book is how easy and comfortable it felt to simply open up my Kindle every night before bed and pray the short prayers. I’ve tried a lot of different formats in the past with little success (this has more to do with me than the formats, of course), and this, I think, could be a winner for me. It occurred to me that I could even put all the prayers of a novena together (if that’s what I chose to pray) in a Word document and email it to my Kindle…and then just do the same thing I did with this book. It’s occurred to me since reading this book, also, to get an e-copy of the Bible – maybe it would feel less intimidating to read a short passage on my Kindle before bed than to break out the actual book? Who knows… the point is, I think, that the authors accomplished their purpose with me (a year + after gifting me and their other subscribers with the book) – I prayed more because of this book, and I’m thinking about praying more than I had been before. It’s a perfect, almost-effortless way to touch your toes back into the waters of nightly prayer.
5 stars!
*While the book was free, the decision to review was my own. Many thanks to John-Paul and Annie Deddens for the book and the service they provide through praymorenovenas.com.
So, firstly – I’m impressed that the authors made the effort to get an “imprimatur,” which is a simple declaration from a representative of the Catholic Church that a book is “free from doctrinal or moral error.” Essentially, you can be sure there is nothing in the book that will expressly contradict established teachings of the Church. There are lots of books that have one, and lots that don’t. I like it when they have one – then I don’t feel like I have to weed through and be attentive that I’m not leading myself astray.
Secondly, the book gives a nice little background explanation about what a novena is, how it came to be, and why one might consider praying one. I’d never read about the origins of novenas before and so I found this to be quite useful and interesting. The authors also provide some background thoughts on why it’s important to strengthen our relationship with the Holy Spirit. While this is super basic and takes only a few pages, I think it was a great section to include and touches on some important ideas. If you’re interested in understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives, this provides a nice, short explanation.
Finally, the book then goes into the nine days of prayer. The prayers are short and simple and took me between five and ten minutes to pray each night for nine nights. I don’t know exactly that I’d say I have a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit today than I did ten days ago, but I can say that reading the book motivated me to actually pray every night for the past nine nights. As important as my Catholic faith is to me, I fall very, very easily into an “academic” or “intellectual” rather than a truly lived faith. I appreciate and make an effort to understand the doctrine and the “rules,” but have a hard time talking to God or allowing an emotional connection. Alas, all the thinking is nothing without the relationship, and I do feel this book was, for me, one small step in the direction of strengthening that relationship.
What surprised me the most reading this book is how easy and comfortable it felt to simply open up my Kindle every night before bed and pray the short prayers. I’ve tried a lot of different formats in the past with little success (this has more to do with me than the formats, of course), and this, I think, could be a winner for me. It occurred to me that I could even put all the prayers of a novena together (if that’s what I chose to pray) in a Word document and email it to my Kindle…and then just do the same thing I did with this book. It’s occurred to me since reading this book, also, to get an e-copy of the Bible – maybe it would feel less intimidating to read a short passage on my Kindle before bed than to break out the actual book? Who knows… the point is, I think, that the authors accomplished their purpose with me (a year + after gifting me and their other subscribers with the book) – I prayed more because of this book, and I’m thinking about praying more than I had been before. It’s a perfect, almost-effortless way to touch your toes back into the waters of nightly prayer.
5 stars!
*While the book was free, the decision to review was my own. Many thanks to John-Paul and Annie Deddens for the book and the service they provide through praymorenovenas.com.
May 20, 2016
Strengthing Prayer to the Holy Spirit
I liked the fact that it could be read in 9days as a novena, or could be read all in one sitting. I chose the novena way and it brought me to a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit.
I liked the fact that it could be read in 9days as a novena, or could be read all in one sitting. I chose the novena way and it brought me to a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit.
March 1, 2018
Very helpful novena
I tend to pray and commune with God the Father and God the Son. I generally leave the Holy Spirit to quietly pick up my slack. This novena helped me to remember that the Spirit is one part of the Triune God, and is available for,and deserves to be prayed to and worshipped and honored too!
I tend to pray and commune with God the Father and God the Son. I generally leave the Holy Spirit to quietly pick up my slack. This novena helped me to remember that the Spirit is one part of the Triune God, and is available for,and deserves to be prayed to and worshipped and honored too!
February 10, 2019
Great Guidance
Being new to prayer this was extremely helpful. Not that i can pray from my own heart but by being new to prayer this gives me the focus that u think would have otherwise taken me years to find on my own. Now i wont have to flounder around like i have been. Thank you
Being new to prayer this was extremely helpful. Not that i can pray from my own heart but by being new to prayer this gives me the focus that u think would have otherwise taken me years to find on my own. Now i wont have to flounder around like i have been. Thank you
October 19, 2017
Prayers
I would recommend it to anyone looking to be closer to God and their faith. I needed to find my way back to to the things I was taught when I was growing up. My need for God and my faith again.
I would recommend it to anyone looking to be closer to God and their faith. I needed to find my way back to to the things I was taught when I was growing up. My need for God and my faith again.
December 31, 2023
Direction and Guidance
This little book offers direction and guidance for prayer to theHoly Spirit in a sequence of nine prayer subjects. Although I am not Catholic, I found this an excellent resource and help.
This little book offers direction and guidance for prayer to theHoly Spirit in a sequence of nine prayer subjects. Although I am not Catholic, I found this an excellent resource and help.
August 2, 2017
Thank you
Thank You, I found it extremely uplifting. I am experiencing big challenges in my life and praying this novena has given me strength and perseverance.
Thank You, I found it extremely uplifting. I am experiencing big challenges in my life and praying this novena has given me strength and perseverance.
June 4, 2021
Holy Spirit
Good prayers. Theologically sound and meaningful. May the Holy Spirit fill the hearts of everyone who prays this novena with great joy and spiritual consolation.
Good prayers. Theologically sound and meaningful. May the Holy Spirit fill the hearts of everyone who prays this novena with great joy and spiritual consolation.
March 14, 2017
Excellent
If you want to get closer to the Holy Spirit, this is the book that will help you reach intimacy with God.
If you want to get closer to the Holy Spirit, this is the book that will help you reach intimacy with God.
June 17, 2016
What a cool and inspiring help to a Deeper Prayer Life!
I would like to say this was quite an unusual ebook here of 9days to a deeper prayer life that I want to give this five stars and especially recommend for Catholics or anyone else willing to overlook the special prayers said quite frequently in this ebook for a deeper prayer life with the Holy Spirit's help. I received this ebook for free and in return, here is my honest review. Great job John -Paul! By Angela
I would like to say this was quite an unusual ebook here of 9days to a deeper prayer life that I want to give this five stars and especially recommend for Catholics or anyone else willing to overlook the special prayers said quite frequently in this ebook for a deeper prayer life with the Holy Spirit's help. I received this ebook for free and in return, here is my honest review. Great job John -Paul! By Angela
January 17, 2015
Inspiring and spiritually fulfilling. Thank you!
Loved the daily prayers. They were short but so full of meaning. I'm a member of this prAyer community and I'm so thankful that it exists.
Loved the daily prayers. They were short but so full of meaning. I'm a member of this prAyer community and I'm so thankful that it exists.
August 16, 2015
Meh
I was looking for more of a guide on how to focus the mind on prayer & to make room during my day for prayer. What I found was yet another devotional. For me, this wasn't very helpful.
I was looking for more of a guide on how to focus the mind on prayer & to make room during my day for prayer. What I found was yet another devotional. For me, this wasn't very helpful.
February 28, 2015
Glad I prayed this novena
Good to pray this every once in awhile to renew our faith. I subscribe to Pray More Novenas and it has enriched my spiritual life.
Good to pray this every once in awhile to renew our faith. I subscribe to Pray More Novenas and it has enriched my spiritual life.
July 9, 2015
9 days to a deeper prayer life with the Holy Spirit
I have never heard of novellas before so wasn't sure about this at first. Now I understand it and was blessed by this book.
I have never heard of novellas before so wasn't sure about this at first. Now I understand it and was blessed by this book.
July 22, 2015
Great little Novena!
Encouraged me to enjoy a better prayer life. I will say this novena at least once a month. God bless!
Encouraged me to enjoy a better prayer life. I will say this novena at least once a month. God bless!
Read
January 22, 2016I was looking for more of a guide on how to focus the mind on prayer & to make room during my day for prayer. What I found was yet another devotional. For me, this wasn't very helpful.
May 12, 2017
I love this book
I read it at the beginning of every day, before any other prayer. It brings me closers to the Holy Spirit
I read it at the beginning of every day, before any other prayer. It brings me closers to the Holy Spirit
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews