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Lord our God, you gave your peace to us and sent down upon your disciples and apostles the gift of the Holy Spirit whose power opened their lips by tongues of fire. Now open the lips of us who are sinners and teach us how to pray, and what to pray for. Direct us in all things, for you are the calm harbor of all who are driven by the tempests of this life. Make us know how we ought to live. Renew your good Spirit within us, and in him let our sliding thoughts find stability, so that day by day we may be guided into what is right and be found worthy to fulfill your commandments, and always have the memory of your glorious and longed-for presence among us. Lord, do not allow us to be deceived by the facile allurements of our time, but strengthen us so that we can reach out to grasp the treasures of the age to come: for you are blessed and praised, in the company of your saints, to the ages of ages. Amen.
St. Basil of Caesarea, c. 330 – 379, Monastic leader and Nicene theologian
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After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.