Praying in the Spirit

Paul wrote that we should be "praying at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints" (Eph. 6:18). Just as "walking in the Spirit" means walking in conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit, so "praying in the Spirit" means praying in conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit. To pray in the Spirit, you must be filled with the Spirit, controlled by the Spirit, and walking in the Spirit. Carnal Christians cannot really pray in the Spirit.

Haven't you heard people just "blabber" in prayer? They go on and on, praying for whatever pops into their mind. Their prayers contain very little thanksgiving, but a lot of "gimme's." And sometimes, you hear people repeat clichés that they have heard others pray. This can become simply "vain repetition," and Jesus said, "Don't do it" (Matt. 6:7).

When you pray in the Spirit, you will be far more conscious of God than you are of those around you. Hannah was praying in the Spirit when she "poured out her soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:17), and God granted her what she requested.

You have great liberty when you pray in the Spirit, for "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Cor. 3:17). In private prayer, your heart becomes so full that your prayers become the natural overflow of your heart, just like Hannah's prayers were.

Exodus 2:24 says that "God heard the groaning" of the sons of Israel. And when they prayed in the Spirit, God not only heard them, but He "took notice of them" (2:25). When you pray in the Spirit, God will answer your prayers. Remember, "If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear" (Ps. 66:18).

Oh, dear people, "the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words" (Rom. 8:26). We must pray in the Spirit if we are going to have an effective prayer life.

Prayer: Father, You are so wonderful. Thank you for inviting us to pray. Help us to depend on the Spirit to make our prayers real and effective. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Quote for the Day: "God cares more about the love of the servant than the length of the service." —Vance Havner