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Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Baptism of the Holy Spirit - A Survey
by Francis MacNutt (from the Jul/Aug 2003 issue)
As a follow–up to the last newsletter on our need for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Tommy Tyson’s testimony, here’s a startling survey on the actual results of praying for the release of the Spirit. The Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut got responses from 100 people who had taken the Life of the Spirit Seminar and then prayed; these respondents had spent an average of ten years in charismatic renewal and parishioners in 15 different churches.
Among their findings:
1) Time spent in daily prayer:
Before After
20% had no time 0% spend no time
65% spent no time 90% spend 30 minutes to 2 hours
15% no response 10% no response
2) Time spent in daily reading the Bible:
Before After
75% spent no time 15% spend no time
25% spent an average of 30 minutes 85% spend an average of 30 minutes
3) Receiving Communion:
Before After
30% did not receive 4% do not receive
70% received weekly 96% receive weekly
4) Time spent daily reading spiritual books:
Before After
70% spent no time 19% spend no time
30% spent 5 minutes to 1 hour 81% spend 15 minutes to 2 hours
When asked if the Fruits of the Spirit changed after the release of the Spirit 30% said they increased moderately, 60% said they increased significantly (10% reported no change).
When asked about their Faith, 23% said that it increased moderately, 75% that it increased significantly (only 2% said that it stayed the same).
When asked if the release of the Spirit inspired them to be more active in their parish’s spiritual or social ministries, 82% said yes.
This survey was prepared by the Charismatic Renewal Office of Hartford in January, 2002. For more information email at: cro31@juno.com or phone (860) 243–8234.
