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.