Chapter 2 Prayers Of The Holy

CHAPTER 2

PRAYERS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Our Heavenly Father has afforded us a multiplicity of prayer forms; enabling opportunity to commune with Him at all times. There are prayers of the heart, mind, and mouth. There are prayers of petition, prayers of worship, and prayers of intercession. One can meditate in prayer or even sing in prayer (I Cor. 14:15). We also find supplications, prayers, intercessions, and the giving of thanks all as available forms of communion with God (I Tim. 2:1). Additionally, the Scriptures also reveal prayers of agreement, praise, confession, and faith. It is not my intention to address in detail these various forms of prayer in this book, but we need to be aware of their existence and place in the Christian life. God has made Himself available to us through a wide variety of spiritual intimacies and all of them need to be employed.

A LIFE OF PRAYER

The most effective form of prayer is from a life lived in perpetual fellowship with God. We are commanded to “Pray without ceasing” (I Thess. 5:17). The only way we can conform to such a Scriptural command is through familiarity with all forms of prayer made available to us from God’s Word. When our lives thus become a continuous prayer to the Lord, we will be demonstrating a renewed mind as a living sacrifice unto the Lord (Rom. 12:1-2).

PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT

There is an often over looked, certainly neglected, form of prayer identified from Scriptural observation that is called “Praying in the Spirit.” Paul made mention of this necessary form of prayer as he taught on being prepared for spiritual warfare: “And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit ()Eph. 6:17-18. Paul believed that such form of prayer was an absolute necessity in spiritual preparation of supernatural warfare and without it we must assume spiritual vulnerability.

In Jude’s epistle, we again find reference to this important form of prayer: “But ye, Beloved, building up yourselves on your most Holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost” (Jude 1:20). Jude warned against spiritual apostasy in the church and offered instructions concerning building a solid foundation. The Greek term for “building” in this text refers to building upon something which has already been constructed; a foundation. This foundation is “our most Holy faith.” The perpetual act of construction is performed through “praying in the Holy Ghost.” Jude instructed us to build ourselves up, therefore, by a unique form of prayer called “praying in the Holy Ghost.” Apparently Jude believed that spiritual growth and development was achieved through this form of prayer and that without such, we would find it difficult to “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 1:3).

The New Testament closes with the Revelation of John which he saw while exiled on the Island of Patmos for the cause of Christ. John confessed that on the Lord’s day he was “in the Spirit” (Rev. 1:10). The subsequent revelation leaves little doubt that John was indicating a state of intimate prayer preceding the revelation.

The Scriptural evidence is definite. There is a powerful and intimate form of prayer available to us as Believers known by the early church as “praying in the Spirit.” It should also be clear that Romans 8:26-29 gives us specific doctrinal insight to the subject and should be examine carefully.

PRAYERS OF THE SPIRIT

Before focusing specifically on the subject of praying in the spirit, we need to briefly consider the nature of His prayers as seen from our text.

CONCERN

“The Holy Spirit also helps our infirmities.”

We share partnership with one who shows concern for what we face and is willing to assist us in prayer to secure fellowship with our God. He offers to “help” us with those weaknesses through intercession.

CONFIDENCE

“For we know not what we should pray for as we ought: But the

Holy Spirit…”

We often experience a lack of confidence when we pray. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, never lacks such confidence and the contrast is clearly evident in our text: “But the Holy Spirit.” Although we may experience spiritual timidity, the Holy Spirit; our partner, never does and His prayers are bold and without hesitation.

CREDIBILITY

“But the Holy Spirit Himself.”

As was mentioned earlier, it is the Spirit of God, Himself, interceding for us. Thus the very nature of His prayers are (Holy credible). Because of this supernatural credibility, we can be assured that our Heavenly Father is not receiving (second-hand) prayers.

CREATIVITY

“But the Holy Spirit Himself makes intercession for us.”

The Greek term for “maketh intercession”in this part of our text under study, literally means (to make prayers) or to (form) prayers for us. Although we may encounter the inability to express ourselves adequately before the Father in prayer, the Holy Spirit has no such impairment. As God, the Holy Spirit is always able to form [create] the perfect prayer as our intercessor.

CONVICTION

“With groanings which cannot be uttered.”

These are deep spiritual expressions of complete prayers offered to the Father in our behalf which only the Holy Spirit is capable of generating and only God is capable of understanding. These are wordless, in the natural or earthly sense, and offered with great earnestness and conviction.

COMFORT

“Likewise the Holy Spirit also helps our infirmities: For we know not what we should pray for as we ought.”

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is one of love and comfort. He, the Comforter, is sensitive to our discomforts and seeks spiritual stability by making intercession for us as the (One called along side).

CONFIRMATION

“The Holy Spirit makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

The Holy Spirit always seeks to confirm God’s best for us as we pray. Since His prayers are always perfect by nature, God’s will can never be breached. Thus, through intercession, the Holy Spirit provides spiritual harmony through perpetual agreement with God and His will for the Believer.

SPIRITUAL INTIMACY

Praying in the Spirit is spiritual intimacy with God. It is experienced when, as an act of our will, we harmonize our prayers with that of the Holy Spirit’s. The Holy Spirit, as a conductor of a great orchestra, provides balance, continuity, and direction as we pray. When praying in the Spirit, we are offered direct access to the throne of God; where all petitions must be made known by the aid of the Holy Spirit. He conducts, leads, and provides balance in order that our petitions are presented within the will of God. In the following pages, we will examine the true nature of, and purpose of, (praying in the spirit), and how such partnership provides spiritual intimacy with God as the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us.