Day 95 - Spirit of the Living God

O Spirit of the living God, thou Light and Fire Divine

Descend upon Thy Church once more and make it truly Thine

Fill it with love and joy and power, with righteousness and peace

Till Christ shall dwell in human hearts, and sin and sorrow cease.

Blow, wind of God, with wisdom blow until our minds are free

from mists of error, clouds of doubt, which blind our eyes to Thee

Burn, winged fire, inspire our lips with flaming love and zeal

To preach to all Thy great good news, God's glorious commonweal.

So shall we know the power of Christ, who came this world to save

So shall we rise with Him to life which soars beyond the grave

And earth shall win true holiness which makes Thy children whole

Till, perfected by Thee, we reach creation's glorious goal.

There is a very well-known chorus, written by Daniel Iverson, that is called Spirit of the Living God. Sung widely by many churches it is often used at Pentecost. Today I am sharing with you another song called Spirit of the Living God.

This song is written by Audrey Assad and features on her third studio album Fortunate Fall. It is a deeply evocative song/hymn that encapsulates themes of surrender, divine presence and spiritual renewal. Known for her ability to blend modern sounds with the ancient depth of liturgical traditions, Audrey Assad enriches this piece with her characteristic poetic writing and her hauntingly beautiful melodies.

Many of her songs are inspired by scripture, prayers and the writings of theologians, and so it is that Spirit of the Living God draws from similar sources. The song title itself is steeped in Christian tradition, referencing the Holy Spirit’s role in renewal and transformation, a theme popular in hymns and contemporary worship music for centuries. Audrey Assad is a classically trained musician, who has roots in church music and has always been drawn to creating compositions that serve as both prayers and reflections. Her work often explores themes of faith, doubt and the sacred spaces between them.

This song, like much of Audrey Assad’s work, is loved not for its grandeur but for its sincerity — a quiet, powerful reminder of the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence in our lives. Take a moment to listen, to read the lyrics and reflect on the songs beauty and grace.

Neil Chappell