Worship: Basil the Great on the Holy Spirit in Worship

Basil the Great (d. 379) wrote "On the Holy Spirit" partly to defend the traditional doxology: "Glory to the Father, with the Son, together with the Holy Spirit." He argued that the Holy Spirit is the one who enables true worship: "Through the Spirit, we are restored to paradise, led back to the kingdom of heaven, and adopted as children." Without the Spirit's work, worship is mere human performance.

Basil taught that the Spirit is present in every aspect of Christian worship: in the reading of Scripture (illumination), in prayer (intercession), in the sacraments (sanctification), and in praise (inspiration). "It is impossible to worship in truth except by the assistance of the Spirit."

Practical application: Before worship, pray specifically for the Holy Spirit's presence: "Come, Holy Spirit, and open my heart to worship in spirit and in truth." During worship, pay attention to moments when you feel genuinely moved, drawn beyond yourself, or convicted -- these may be the Spirit's particular work. Basil teaches that awareness of the Spirit's presence transforms passive attendance into active worship.