The “Breathe into me Holy Spirit” prayer was written by St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430). It’s a short prayer that can easily be memorized and recited daily as a way to invite the Holy Spirit to be active in your life.
We invoke the Holy Spirit when we pray because, as St. Paul teaches us in Romans 8:2-27:
“The Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.”
Let Us Pray:
Breathe into Me Holy Spirit
a prayer by St. Augustine of Hippo
Breathe into Me Holy Spirit, that all my thoughts may be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
I ask all this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
AMEN.
Thank you for praying this ejaculatory prayer to the Holy Spirit. If you’d like to learn more about why we make ejaculatory prayers, read our meditation on blessing the name of Jesus.
Additional Prayers
Prayer of Consecration to the Holy Spirit
This prayer of Consecration to the Holy Spirit was written by the Venerable Félix de Jesús Rougier, a (Marist) priest of the Society of Mary who was born in France in 1859.
Prayer for the Gift of the Holy Spirit
This prayer of petition for the gift of the Holy Spirit should be prayed every day before devotional prayers.
Litany of the Holy Ghost Prayer
The Litany of the Holy Ghost is a prayer that asks for an increase in the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts help guide us and give us grace. These graces help us work to grow in virtue and sanctity.