PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT
”Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26).”
Praying in the Spirit is the most effective way for us to pray as Christians. But praying in the Spirit is in two parts. The first is when your spirit prays by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, giving you words in the Spirit in other tongues. As you pray in those tongues, your spirit is energised, built up like a towering edifice: Jude 1:20, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.”
1 Corinthians 14:4 says, “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself….” This is why we tell God’s people to speak in tongues a lot. It keeps your spirit, soul and body supercharged with the power of God. You’re edified, fortified, strengthened with might in your inner man by the Spirit. Hallelujah!
But then there’s also a second level of praying in the Spirit that’s also of great blessing and benefit. This time, it’s not your spirit that’s praying but the Holy Spirit Himself praying or making intercession through you. That’s what we read in our opening scripture.
In the first one, He gives you utterance, you speak words in tongues. But in this case, there’s no utterance; you don’t speak in a known or unknown language; rather, what comes out of you are deep sighs and groanings of the Spirit. At that level, the Holy Spirit takes over completely, praying through you in perfect harmony with the will of the Father.
When you allow the Holy Spirit to intercede through you this way, the result is always glorious. The scripture says, “…He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit…” (Romans 8:27). It’s not your mind or your understanding; it’s the Spirit’s mind being expressed through you. The ensuing verse 28 reveals part of the outcome, “…all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Yielding to the Holy Spirit to intercede through you causes all things to align and work out in your favour, including adverse or challenging situations. That’s the power of praying in the Spirit, amongst several other blessings and benefits. Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit, who helps me to pray according to your perfect will. Even now, as I pray in the Spirit, I’m filled with your power, and my life is aligned with your purpose, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
If you’re blessed by this devotional, believing every words you heard by faith in your heart, and would love to make Jesus the lord of your life, then speak the confessions below out loud, and mean them with your heart:
“O Lord God, I believe with all my heart in Jesus Christ, Son of the living God. I believe He died for me and God raised Him from the dead. I believe He’s alive today. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life from this day. Through Him and in His Name, I have eternal life; I’m born again. Thank you Lord, for saving my soul! I’m now a child of God. Hallelujah!”
If you just said the prayer of salvation, we have a free gift for you, but first kindly click on this link, so we can connect with you, and help you grow in Christ.
Then click here to get your free gift. Thank you and God bless you.
Message by Rev. Chris Oyakhilome Dsc. Dsc. DD.
FURTHER STUDY:
Romans 8:26-28 AMPC
*“So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance. And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God’s will. We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.”
Ephesians 6:18 (KJV) *”Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”
Acts 1:8 (KJV)
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Matthew 27:27-44 &
Exodus 40
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Acts 17:1-9 &
Psalm 11-13.
