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The Holy Spirit’s Presence: Accessing God's Power by Acknowledging Our Weakness
“Are you sure you want to be filled with a Spirit who, though He is like Jesus in His gentleness and love, will nevertheless demand to be Lord of your life?” A. W. Tozer
The great tragedy of the human race is that sin has fallen headlong from the mighty purpose that God had created us for.
In His mercy, God has provided His followers with a Helper, the Holy Spirit. The role of the Spirit is abysmally overlooked in our churches today.
In Relying on the Holy Spirit, Tozer argues for the need for every Christian everywhere to desire earnestly for the filling of the Holy Spirit.
Divine power and strength are available in abundance, if only we seek it sincerely enough.
The problem, Tozer says, is that we do not desire it—not enough to surrender to the Spirit’s Lordship, in unquestioning obedience.
It is a painful surrender, total and inclusive, but it is necessary if the Church is to fulfill the work that her Master requires of her.
The great tragedy of the human race is that sin has fallen headlong from the mighty purpose that God had created us for.
In His mercy, God has provided His followers with a Helper, the Holy Spirit. The role of the Spirit is abysmally overlooked in our churches today.
In Relying on the Holy Spirit, Tozer argues for the need for every Christian everywhere to desire earnestly for the filling of the Holy Spirit.
Divine power and strength are available in abundance, if only we seek it sincerely enough.
The problem, Tozer says, is that we do not desire it—not enough to surrender to the Spirit’s Lordship, in unquestioning obedience.
It is a painful surrender, total and inclusive, but it is necessary if the Church is to fulfill the work that her Master requires of her.
151 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2022
948 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
A.W. Tozer
665 books2,105 followersAiden Wilson Tozer was an American evangelical pastor, speaker, writer, and editor. After coming to Christ at the age of seventeen, Tozer found his way into the Christian & Missionary Alliance denomination where he served for over forty years. In 1950, he was appointed by the denomination's General Council to be the editor of "The Alliance Witness" (now "Alliance Life").
Born into poverty in western Pennsylvania in 1897, Tozer died in May 1963 a self-educated man who had taught himself what he missed in high school and college due to his home situation. Though he wrote many books, two of them, "The Pursuit of God" and "The Knowledge of the Holy" are widely considered to be classics.
A.W. Tozer and his wife, Ada Cecelia Pfautz, had seven children, six boys and one girl.
Born into poverty in western Pennsylvania in 1897, Tozer died in May 1963 a self-educated man who had taught himself what he missed in high school and college due to his home situation. Though he wrote many books, two of them, "The Pursuit of God" and "The Knowledge of the Holy" are widely considered to be classics.
A.W. Tozer and his wife, Ada Cecelia Pfautz, had seven children, six boys and one girl.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 16, 2024
A pupurri of sound teaching
Tozer's burden in clearly for nominal churches and for christians that just got used to "doing things" as orthodoxy determines. He is very keen to point out such a situation and to call those back to the reality of an experimental life with the Lord. As a consequence of being faithful to this burden, Tozer usually does not go deeper in any of the topics anounced in the titles of the chapters of this book.
Tozer's burden in clearly for nominal churches and for christians that just got used to "doing things" as orthodoxy determines. He is very keen to point out such a situation and to call those back to the reality of an experimental life with the Lord. As a consequence of being faithful to this burden, Tozer usually does not go deeper in any of the topics anounced in the titles of the chapters of this book.
September 17, 2024
I felt like I was drinking tea with an old man and he was just telling me about things.
January 14, 2025
He makes it very easy to understand if a person has one foot in this world and one foot out.
June 6, 2024
What would Tozer say about the church today?
Many Christians are content to know God secondhand. Content to know ABOUT God rather than know God himself. Tozer never attended seminary or Bible college. He was not infected with the idea that knowledge of God was the same as a relationship with him.
This excerpt from Faithlife’s biography of AW Tozer says it well:
“Self-taught, with no formal Bible training, Tozer has been called a twentieth-century prophet within his own lifetime. Through years of diligent study and constant prayer, he sought the mind of God. A master craftsman in the use of the English language, he was able to write in a simple, cogent style the principles of truth he had learned. For Tozer, ‘there was no substitute for knowing God firsthand.’”
Many Christians are content to know God secondhand. Content to know ABOUT God rather than know God himself. Tozer never attended seminary or Bible college. He was not infected with the idea that knowledge of God was the same as a relationship with him.
This excerpt from Faithlife’s biography of AW Tozer says it well:
“Self-taught, with no formal Bible training, Tozer has been called a twentieth-century prophet within his own lifetime. Through years of diligent study and constant prayer, he sought the mind of God. A master craftsman in the use of the English language, he was able to write in a simple, cogent style the principles of truth he had learned. For Tozer, ‘there was no substitute for knowing God firsthand.’”
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February 10, 2025What a lovely way to learn of The Holy Spirit!
It was comforting to learn about The Holy Spirit in a way I could have never imagined. The author stated that one could never known as much as God knows, He was never taught! I understand that. As I read this book about The Holy Spirit, the more I want to search and know about Him. God is so perfect that He has thought of everything we need! I enjoyed this book so much! What a Good Read! I pray that everyone would search and learn about The Holy Spirit that dwells within us!
It was comforting to learn about The Holy Spirit in a way I could have never imagined. The author stated that one could never known as much as God knows, He was never taught! I understand that. As I read this book about The Holy Spirit, the more I want to search and know about Him. God is so perfect that He has thought of everything we need! I enjoyed this book so much! What a Good Read! I pray that everyone would search and learn about The Holy Spirit that dwells within us!
May 5, 2025
Tozer speaks to a specific time and culture, and is addressing specific issues in the church then. Thus he doesn't deal with his subjects with any great depth in this book which I found rather frustrating. It is also rather repetitive, and the teaching style too conversational for a book (I suspect this was originally a collection of sermons?). I am however left with a deeper awe for God and a greater longing to understand and experience the Spirit's work in my life.
March 1, 2023
A book to challenge and inspire every Christian
I grew up in a church where the Holy Spirit was not given his proper place. Now I am old and wish I had read A W Tozer's book years ago. If you love the Lord and seriously and sincerely desire to live your life for Him, read this book very soon undergo prayerfully.
I grew up in a church where the Holy Spirit was not given his proper place. Now I am old and wish I had read A W Tozer's book years ago. If you love the Lord and seriously and sincerely desire to live your life for Him, read this book very soon undergo prayerfully.
December 15, 2023
A no varnish view
A W Tozer is so gifted at the presentation of his beliefs. Not all will appreciate his directness, but I find it very refreshing in a world that seems to be dominated by glitter and packaging designed to appeal to the masses. I know where this man stood and remains relevant for so many years since his passing.
A W Tozer is so gifted at the presentation of his beliefs. Not all will appreciate his directness, but I find it very refreshing in a world that seems to be dominated by glitter and packaging designed to appeal to the masses. I know where this man stood and remains relevant for so many years since his passing.
April 18, 2023
Generally good
What prevented me from giving this book 5 stars was that his mode and style of expressing himself was a bit dated, and might be misunderstood if not read carefully. That being said, this is a good book. One could draw encouragement from this book.
What prevented me from giving this book 5 stars was that his mode and style of expressing himself was a bit dated, and might be misunderstood if not read carefully. That being said, this is a good book. One could draw encouragement from this book.
January 12, 2024
This book is both theologically rich and well written. The author helps the reader understand who the Holy Spirit is as a person and to gain a better understanding of His role in our lives as believers.
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June 13, 2024To be a well aged writing, this book read like a current and popular theme. I enjoyed the reminders of long held truths. Truly God's ability to draw people near is timeless and powerful. And we can never comprehend its enormous appeal ( to be near God)
July 11, 2024
A Wonderful Read
Easy to read. Very thoughtful and to the point. I enjoyed the Scripture references.
This book and study is highly recommended to both the young and experienced Christian.
Easy to read. Very thoughtful and to the point. I enjoyed the Scripture references.
This book and study is highly recommended to both the young and experienced Christian.
October 14, 2024
Deeper and wider…
Tozer focuses on aspects of the Holy Spirit and His uplifting role for us all. When you know Him, you will know full salvation and be relieved of your personal daily deficits. Take the time to seek Him and affirm His ways in you.
Tozer focuses on aspects of the Holy Spirit and His uplifting role for us all. When you know Him, you will know full salvation and be relieved of your personal daily deficits. Take the time to seek Him and affirm His ways in you.
June 21, 2025
A life for God.
The writing is full of life. Nuggets of insight lost from our generations. It held me from the first word to the last prayer. And what a power prayer
For newly converted to the seasoned veteran. Be blessed in pages.
The writing is full of life. Nuggets of insight lost from our generations. It held me from the first word to the last prayer. And what a power prayer
For newly converted to the seasoned veteran. Be blessed in pages.
February 4, 2024
Wow
Such deep insight and understanding. Constantly causing me to stop and reflect on his thoughts. Worth every minute of my time spent.
Such deep insight and understanding. Constantly causing me to stop and reflect on his thoughts. Worth every minute of my time spent.
May 16, 2023
This is a very encouraging book. Tozer is so accessible in his explanation and illustration of God's plan for our lives.
August 11, 2025
Be filled with the Holy Spirit
Read this title for comfort from the Comforter and to be empowered to witness as a disciple of the Saviour Jesus Christ
Read this title for comfort from the Comforter and to be empowered to witness as a disciple of the Saviour Jesus Christ
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews