A CFC Teaching on

Charismatic Gifts
June 2020
Overview

This teaching is available to all members of CFC and is particularly recommended for preparing
CLP team members for the “Pray-over” Session.

The goal of this teaching is to help the participants appreciate, understand, and to grow their
desire for the charismatic gifts. On a more general level, the teaching can lead the participants
to a deeper experience of the workings of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

CFC clusters are encouraged to regularly schedule this teaching for their members. Chapter
Heads can also arrange for this teaching for smaller groups of participants whenever deemed
necessary.

Schedule

The whole teaching will run for 2.5-3 hours.

30 minutes arrival, registration, and fellowship

15 minutes short worship (2 praise songs)/opening prayer
45 minutes First part: “The 9 charismatic gifts”
10 minutes break
30 minutes Second part: “How to be spiritually prepared for the pray-over session”
20 minutes Last part: “Prayer to the Holy Spirit”

General guidelines:

1. We encourage the CLP Team Leader to give the workshop. (The Unit Head or the
Chapter Head of the area can also give this.)
2. Please religiously follow the flow of the teaching.
3. Our goal is to ask for deeper appreciation, understanding, and empowerment of the
Holy Spirit. Everything will be dependent on the leading of the Holy Spirit. Let us not
overdo the teaching by putting some add-ons or practices that can bring confusion to
our members.
4. The whole procedure will be done in a prayerful atmosphere.

Needs:
1. Registration Team
2. Music Ministry
First Part: “The nine (9) charismatic gifts”

Anchor verse:
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; (5) there are different forms of
service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of
them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To
one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of
knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of
healing by the one Spirit; to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment
of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues. But one and the
same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.” 1
Corinthians 12:4-11 (NABRE)

Objectives:
1. To define what is “charismatic gifts”.
2. To enumerate and explain the nine (9) charismatic gifts with special emphasis on the gift
of tongues.
3. To lead the participants to desire for the charismatic gifts.

Introduction

Couples for Christ Christian life Program introduces many new things to us. Some of us might
experience worship, group sharing, “one-on-one” dialogue, and “pray-over” for the first time. In
the beginning, these things are simply awkward to us until such that we were able to feel
comfortable and at home in our CLP, which led us to (be to) become active in CFC eventually.

Maybe one of the most intriguing and interesting parts of CLP is when our discussion group
leader asked us what particular gift or gifts we would want to receive. When they start explaining
to us these gifts, somehow, it made us realize that having these gifts will aid us in strengthening
and deepening our faith in the Lord.

But what kind of gifts do we specifically ask for? These gifts are the charismatic gifts. According
to Pope Francis, “The charismatic gifts, therefore, are freely distributed by the Holy Spirit, so
that sacramental grace may be fruitful in Christian life in different ways and at every level.
Because these charisms “are perfectly suited to and useful for the needs of the Church”, through
their diverse richness, the People of God are able fully to live their evangelical mission,
discerning the signs of the times and interpreting them in the light of the Gospel. The
charismatic gifts, in fact, enable the faithful to respond to the gift of salvation in complete
freedom and in a way suited to the times. In this way, they themselves become a gift of love for
others and authentic witnesses to the Gospel before all mankind.”1

The Holy Spirit to whom He wishes freely gives these charismatic gifts so that the person who will
receive it will become fruitful in his or her Christian life and become powerful witnesses of the
Gospel, both in personal and service life, especially to the bigger Church.

II. Gifts of the Holy Spirit: The nine (9) Charismatic Gifts

First, we need to understand that there are different kinds of gifts. We have seven (7)
sanctifying gifts found in Isaiah 11:2-3. These are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude,
knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. We first receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit in the
Sacrament of Baptism; these gifts are strengthened in the Sacrament of Confirmation, which is
one of the reasons why the Catholic Church teaches that confirmation is properly viewed as the
completion of baptism.

In Couples for Christ, however, we specifically ask for the nine (9) charismatic gifts. These
charismatic gifts are introduced by St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians
12:1, 4-11). These gifts may be divided into 3 groups: two teaching gifts: wisdom and knowledge;
three sign gifts: faith, healing and miracles; and four revelational gifts: prophecy, discernment
of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.

The nine (9) charismatic gifts are for the upbuilding of the body. It is described as “manifestation”
of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7). Thus, where spiritual gifts operate, the Spirit is at work. The
gifts make us aware of God’s presence. The gifts make us aware of God’s power.

The nine (9) charismatic gifts: 2

a) Wisdom - Concerned with the best way to live. God’s guidance on how to live as a
Christian.
b) Knowledge - More of doctrinal teaching. Speak an understanding of the truth of the
mystery of Christ.
c) Faith - The charismatic gift of faith seems to be a special gift of prayer. Praying with
God-given confidence, which produces extraordinary results. It’s knowing that what one
asks for will be given. Mark 11:23-24.
d) Healing – the Holy Spirit can manifest this special gift through any believer so He can
then heal someone of any kind of disease, illness, or sickness.

1
Pope Francis, Iuvenescit Ecclesia, May 15, 2016
2
Couples for Christ, Training on Spiritual Gifts
 e) Miracles - supernatural activity from Him. (E.g. Jesus turning water into wine at the
wedding of Cana, Jesus feeding 5000 people by multiplying 5 loaves of bread and two fish,
God parting the Red Sea for Moses and the children of Israel).
f) Prophecy - The gift by which God speaks through a person a message to an individual or
a whole community.
g) Discernment of spirits - The gift by which a person can tell whether in a situation what is
at work is the Holy Spirit, an evil spirit, or just man’s own spirit. A kind of a vision or a
sense.
h) Tongues – A gift of praise that is meant to enrich our prayer life.
i) Interpretation of tongues - Does not refer to the abilities of an interpreter of languages.
The one who exercises this gift does not even understand the tongues. What is spoken
in tongues may not even be an actual language. Like in prophecy, there is an urge to
speak words. What is spoken is an accurate interpretation.

III. The gift of tongues

Another controversial practice we have in the CLP is the “speaking or praying in tongues”. Some
feel weird about it, or some may not be comfortable doing it. There were even those who oppose
this practice in the community.

1 Corinthians 12:4-10 says, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there
are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God
who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given
for some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the
expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to
another gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to
another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of
tongues.”

‘Tongues’ is part of our culture as a charismatic community. In one way or another, it makes the
CFC community as unique, vibrant, and spirit-filled. In an article written in the website Catholic
exchange, it says that “It’s certainly possible that God can continue to use people as miracle
workers, healers, prophets and speakers in and interpreters of tongues. Both Pope John Paul II
and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have expressed their support of the Catholic
Charismatic Renewal. In 1979, the pope characterized the Catholic Charismatic Renewal as “a
sign of the Spirit’s action[,]…a very important component in the total renewal of the Church.”3

In the CLP talk, Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the gift of tongues is explained to us.

3
Speaking in Tongues, Amy Barragree, Information Specialist, Catholics United for the Faith, catholicexchange.com
 • The gift of tongues is a common experience when we receive the Holy Spirit, just like the
experience of the disciples described in Acts.
• It is a gift from God.
• But unlike the other spiritual gifts, ‘tongues’ is a gift that may not immediately manifest.
• Once we receive it, it can have great consequences in our spiritual life, especially in our
prayer and worship.

In summary, the purpose of these nine (9) charismatic gifts is for us to be more vividly aware of
the presence and power of God and to build up the community – the Church.

1V. Desiring the nine (9) charismatic gifts

One thing is for sure, all of us desires to receive gifts. What more when it is from the Holy
Spirit? It becomes even more desirable. However, what should be our posture in desiring the
nine (9) charismatic gifts?

1 Corinthians 12:11 says, “But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them
individually to each person as he wishes.” We cannot force nor impose(d) a specific gift to be
given to us. It still depends on the grace of the Lord and the will of the Holy Spirit whom He
wishes to give the gifts. Nevertheless, we can always ask for it in prayer. If it is for us and it will
be beneficial for the growth of our faith and service, for sure, the Holy Spirit will give it to us.

Lumen Gentium 12 also reminds us, “It is not only through the sacraments and the ministries of
the Church that the Holy Spirit sanctifies and leads the people of God and enriches it with
virtues, but, "allotting his gifts to everyone according as He wills, He distributes special graces
among the faithful of every rank. By these gifts He makes them fit and ready to undertake the
various tasks and offices which contribute toward the renewal and building up of the Church,
according to the words of the Apostle: "The manifestation of the Spirit is given to everyone for
profit". These charisms, whether they be the more outstanding or the more simple and widely
diffused, are to be received with thanksgiving and consolation for they are perfectly suited to
and useful for the needs of the Church. Extraordinary gifts are not to be sought after, nor are the
fruits of apostolic labor to be presumptuously expected from their use; but judgment as to their
genuinity and proper use belongs to those who are appointed leaders in the Church, to whose
special competence it belongs, not indeed to extinguish the Spirit, but to test all things and hold
fast to that which is good.”

As we pray for a specific gift that we want to receive, let us also be very careful and discerning.
Let us not be careless in asking and praying for a specific gift. Once again, we are reminded,
that these gifts aim to make us all (of us) fruitful in our Christian life and to become powerful
witnesses of the Gospel, both in personal and service life, and especially to the bigger Church.
Conclusion

“The charismatic gifts “are given to individual persons, and can be shared by others in such ways
to continue in time a precious and effective heritage, serving as a source of a particular spiritual
affinity among persons.” 4

Indeed, all these gifts are beautiful and desirable. It makes us attractive as a community and as
a church. It makes our Christian life and our community alive. It makes our community relevant.

Once we receive the gifts the Holy Spirit wills for us, let us use it to become powerful witnesses
in our personal, community, and church life. It must move us to desire to serve the Lord even
more.

Finally, every gift is precious, thus, must be handled with utmost care. Once you receive the gift
or gifts you prayed and discerned for, use it for the greater glory of God.

4
Pope Francis, Iuvenescit Ecclesia
 Second part: How to be spiritually prepared for the “pray-over” session

Anchor verse:
“But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” 2
Thessalonians 3:3 (NABRE)

Introduction

During the CLP Training, we learn that every CLP is a unique experience. Regardless of the same
process and nature that it has every conduct of it, no CLP is the same, thus, we religiously prepare
ourselves every time we are commissioned to serve. Every CLP is also spiritual warfare. Therefore,
regardless of the number of times we serve the CLP, we come prepared spiritually. We should
not be complacent.

Pray-over session is also one of the spiritual warfare we should all be ready for. We do specific
preparations for this. Again, we are not to be complacent regardless of how many times we
have been doing this. A good soldier hones his skills at any given opportunity. A good servant
does the same. Every training or formation is a completely new experience regardless of how
many times you have attended to it. Humility is the key.

I. How do we spiritually prepare for the pray over session?

The most important thing about the pray-over session is our total dependence on God. We should
not overdo things but only rely on the power of the Holy Spirit and allow ourselves to be vessels
that will allow His grace to freely flow to the ones we are praying over.

Here are five essential things we need to do:

1. Go to confession
We recognize that CLP is spiritual warfare. We will not come unprepared. We cleanse
ourselves from sinfulness and negativities by going to confession.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1422) states, “Those who approach the
sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against
him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by
their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion.”

Satan will disturb us unceasingly, but humility can defeat Satan. Let us humble ourselves
and ask for God’s forgiveness and grace to be upon us as we pray for our brothers and
sisters.
2. Personal prayer and fasting
Prayer and fasting are two powerful weapons to counter Satan’s antics. Before Jesus
started His ministry, He went into prayer and fasting for 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew
4:1-11). It is during those difficult moments when He was tempted by Satan. He was so
hungry and probably restless that made him vulnerable. But He was able to win against
Satan’s temptation.

Pray-over session is one of the most attacked activities in the CLP. We heard countless
sharing of service team getting sick, encountering problems, and making us doubt in our
faith are just some of the glaring challenges we face as we approached the pray-over
session. In moments like this, we will pray unceasingly and ask God’s Spirit to empower
us.

We also offer sacrifices to God through fasting. This will strengthen and empower us as
we go into the spiritual battle. As St Peter Chrysologus reminds us, “Fasting is the soul of
prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. Let no one try to separate them, they cannot be
separated. If you have only one of them and not all together, you have nothing. So if you
pray, (fast); if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the
petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others, you open God’s ear to yourself.”

3. Focus on the Lord

One can easily be out of focus when overwhelmed with so many things. CLP can be
overwhelming from the preparations to its ending. One can easily focus on trivial things
and not on God.

We can easily fall in the trap of focusing on the “service” of the Lord, rather than to the
“Lord” of service. While we recognize the need to be excellent in our service during CLP,
we should never lose sight of the Lord of our CLP.

4. Pray for your participants

Our participants came from different backgrounds, occupations, values, and beliefs. At
some point, we will be having a hard time dealing with them. While we give utmost
effort to inspire them through our witnessing and personal sharing, we will always include
them in our prayers.

Pray for the challenges you face in dealing with your participants. Thank the Lord for the
victories you experience because of them as well. Pray for the good relationship
amongst your group. Pray for their families. Pray that they may be able to finish the CLP.
 5. Allow the Holy Spirit to work
Isaiah 61:1-4 says, “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed
me; He has sent me to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, To
proclaim liberty to the captives, release to the prisoners, To announce a year of favor
from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God; To comfort all who mourn; to place
on those who mourn in Zion a diadem instead of ashes, To give them oil of gladness
instead of mourning, a glorious mantle instead of a faint spirit.”

What then is it for us? We are mere instruments of God’s work. The renewal or
transformation of every person given to us is still in the hands of God. We will not force
not impose a change on people. We allow the Spirit of the Lord to move in that person’s
life. Let us only be open and allow God to use us mightily and powerfully!

Third part: Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Anchor verse:
“The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you
everything and remind you of all that [I] told you.” John 14:26 (NABRE)

Activity flow:

1. After the second part “How to be spiritually prepared for the pray-over session”, the
speaker will ask everyone to dispose in prayer.

2. While the speaker exhorts everyone to prayer, the music ministry will play the song
“Come Holy Spirit”.

3. As the song “Come Holy Spirit” plays, the speaker will recite the “Prayer for deliverance”.
(No drama or special effects needed. Just recite the prayer (by) from the heart.)

Standard Prayer for Deliverance5

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, by the power of his cross, his blood and
his resurrection, I bind you Satan, the spirits, powers and forces of darkness, the nether
world, and the evil forces of nature.

I take authority over all curses, hexes, demonic activity and spells directed against me,
my relationships, ministry endeavors, finances, and the work of my hands; and I break

5
Spiritual Warfare Prayers, www.catholicwarriors.com
 them by the power and authority of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. I stand with the power of
the Lord God Almighty to bind all demonic interaction, interplay and communications
between spirits sent against me, and send them directly to Jesus Christ for him to deal
with as he wills.

I ask forgiveness for and renounce all negative inner vows that I have made with the
enemy, and ask that Jesus Christ release me from these vows and from any bondage
they may have held in me. I claim the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living
God, over every aspect of my life for my protection. Amen.

4. After the “Prayer for deliverance”, everyone will be asked to stand and join the music
ministry in singing the song “Come Holy Spirit”. (After the song, the music ministry will
play instrumental and the speaker will lead everyone to sing their prayers and praise to
God, pray in tongues, or have their silent prayer before the Lord.)

5. As the sounds and noises fade, the speaker will now lead everyone to pray the “Prayer
to the Holy Spirit.”

St. Augustine’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit: 6

“Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.
Amen.”

6. After the “Prayer to the Holy Spirit”, the speaker will now have his short exhortation
that would focus on encouraging and empowering people to stand firm in their faith as
they continue to serve in the CLP.

7. After the exhortation, full worship follows.

6
St. Augustine's Prayer to the Holy Spirit, www.catholic.org