We invoke the Holy Spirit often - but do we understand all of the things that it does for us? There are three presentations of the Spirit in the New Testament. Acts portrays the descent of the Spirit at Pentecost in very dramatic terms. It gave the fearful apostles the courage to proclaim the Gospel openly and without regard for the consequences. It also removed human barriers, bringing Jews and Gentiles together as one people in Christ. The Spirit in the Gospel of John is understood as the divine breath of creation - just as in Genesis - and when Jesus breathed on the disciples he created them anew. He empowered them spiritually and gave them the same mission he had been given - to reveal the true nature of God to a world trapped in ignorance. Paul saw the Spirit as the force animating the many different but equally important parts of the Christian community. It also transformed members of the community so that they manifested the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is obvious from these readings that the Spirit was not merely some theological concept or doctrine, but a living, dynamic, force in the community and in its members. It could be felt and its work was evident. As individuals and as a church we need to pray constantly for the renewing gift of the Spirit for ourselves and for the world.