Praying in the Spirit
For we know not what we should pray for..
...
[Romans 8.
26] as it may seem, power in prayer is only for those humble enough to acknowledge that they do not know how to pray.
The Holy Spirit is looking for people like that so He can empower them in prayer.
The spirit helps us in our weakness we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express"[Romans 8.
26] only if we have the holy spirit's enablement in prayer can we obey the command given by Paul in [Ephesians 6.
18] "Keep on praying in the spirit..
..
Be alert - watch and pray" What is "prayer" in the spirit"? How is this different from other forms or modes of praying? (a) DIFFERENT FORMS OF PRAYER There are many ways we can approach the Lord in prayer all are important and have their place in the church, and in our walk with God.
1.
Contemplative prayer.
[Meditative] Some religious orders have given their whole life to prayer.
They are devoted to knowing God, and relating to His will through meditation, quite thought and prayer.
Their concern for the world is basically brought forth through "intercession"- prayer on behalf of others.
This is a noble and important form of prayer, however, those involved in this kind of praying seldom [hardly ever] learn to "pray in the spirit".
2.
Prayer books Many read their prayers out of "prayer books" we have a prayer book in the bible it is called the book of Psalms.
When such prayers are read with a heart that is truly seeking after God, the Holy Spirit can bring the life of the living word to the written words.
3.
Directed prayers Others repeat "directed prayers" many of us have had someone help or direct us in our first prayer.
Little children are taught to pray by their parents.
We often lead people in saying the sinner's prayer.
I recently witnessed a heart warming and humorous event related to "directed prayer" in a church at the end of the service; a young man asked a visitor if he wanted to receive Christ as savoir "No I don't believe I am ready yet," was the visitors reply.
The young man then asked, "Would you know what to pray when you are ready?" No, I guess I wouldn't," was the visitor's honest response "would you like to know? "Yes, I believe I would" The young man then said, here is the prayer that you should pray.
Just repeat it after me, he then lead the visitors in a simple "directed prayer" of repentance, he told the visitor what to pray to invite Jesus to come into his heart as his Lord and saviour, as the visitor repeated the prayer, tears began trickling from his eyes his face lit up with joy the Holy Spirit melted his resistance and Christ came into his heart and he was truly born again.
Yes, God honours all kinds of prayer, if we are sincere and ask in faith.
However, as wonderful as this may be - it is not "praying in the spirit".
4) Shopping - list prayers.
Another form of prayer is what some call the shopping-list approach.
Some of us have a list of needs and desires which we bring to God in pray.
We write them down so we don't forget to keep on praying until we receive God's answer.
The list may include request for 1 families, 2 friends, 3 Church and 4 leaders When our motives are right, this too is a form of prayer that results in blessing.
In fact, [James 4:2] tell us that "we have not because we ask not" Example of this is the story of the "prodigal son" [Luke 15; 11-31] the younger brother had asked for and received his inheritance [his part of the family fortune] in rebellion, he then left his father and elder brother and went away to live a sinful life.
Many months, later he repented and returned home.
His inheritance was gone, he was homeless and in poverty.
His father joyful welcomed him home, forgave him, and called for a feast to celebrate the return of the prodigal.
The elder brother complained to his father "you never blessed me with a feast" the father simply replied you are always with me, and everything I have is yours "he could have had a feast anytime he desired".
The elder brother did not ask, so he did not receive, it seems he was living far below his privilege.
If he had wanted more, all he had to do was ask.
This was his right as a first born son.
AMEN ========== This Message was Delivered by Evangelist Elizabeth Saidimu AT DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY to the group called "The Church".
The Church meets every Sunday afternoon from 2.
30pm at Daystar University - Valley Road Nairobi - Room 9.
You are welcome to join us.
...
[Romans 8.
26] as it may seem, power in prayer is only for those humble enough to acknowledge that they do not know how to pray.
The Holy Spirit is looking for people like that so He can empower them in prayer.
The spirit helps us in our weakness we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express"[Romans 8.
26] only if we have the holy spirit's enablement in prayer can we obey the command given by Paul in [Ephesians 6.
18] "Keep on praying in the spirit..
..
Be alert - watch and pray" What is "prayer" in the spirit"? How is this different from other forms or modes of praying? (a) DIFFERENT FORMS OF PRAYER There are many ways we can approach the Lord in prayer all are important and have their place in the church, and in our walk with God.
1.
Contemplative prayer.
[Meditative] Some religious orders have given their whole life to prayer.
They are devoted to knowing God, and relating to His will through meditation, quite thought and prayer.
Their concern for the world is basically brought forth through "intercession"- prayer on behalf of others.
This is a noble and important form of prayer, however, those involved in this kind of praying seldom [hardly ever] learn to "pray in the spirit".
2.
Prayer books Many read their prayers out of "prayer books" we have a prayer book in the bible it is called the book of Psalms.
When such prayers are read with a heart that is truly seeking after God, the Holy Spirit can bring the life of the living word to the written words.
3.
Directed prayers Others repeat "directed prayers" many of us have had someone help or direct us in our first prayer.
Little children are taught to pray by their parents.
We often lead people in saying the sinner's prayer.
I recently witnessed a heart warming and humorous event related to "directed prayer" in a church at the end of the service; a young man asked a visitor if he wanted to receive Christ as savoir "No I don't believe I am ready yet," was the visitors reply.
The young man then asked, "Would you know what to pray when you are ready?" No, I guess I wouldn't," was the visitor's honest response "would you like to know? "Yes, I believe I would" The young man then said, here is the prayer that you should pray.
Just repeat it after me, he then lead the visitors in a simple "directed prayer" of repentance, he told the visitor what to pray to invite Jesus to come into his heart as his Lord and saviour, as the visitor repeated the prayer, tears began trickling from his eyes his face lit up with joy the Holy Spirit melted his resistance and Christ came into his heart and he was truly born again.
Yes, God honours all kinds of prayer, if we are sincere and ask in faith.
However, as wonderful as this may be - it is not "praying in the spirit".
4) Shopping - list prayers.
Another form of prayer is what some call the shopping-list approach.
Some of us have a list of needs and desires which we bring to God in pray.
We write them down so we don't forget to keep on praying until we receive God's answer.
The list may include request for 1 families, 2 friends, 3 Church and 4 leaders When our motives are right, this too is a form of prayer that results in blessing.
In fact, [James 4:2] tell us that "we have not because we ask not" Example of this is the story of the "prodigal son" [Luke 15; 11-31] the younger brother had asked for and received his inheritance [his part of the family fortune] in rebellion, he then left his father and elder brother and went away to live a sinful life.
Many months, later he repented and returned home.
His inheritance was gone, he was homeless and in poverty.
His father joyful welcomed him home, forgave him, and called for a feast to celebrate the return of the prodigal.
The elder brother complained to his father "you never blessed me with a feast" the father simply replied you are always with me, and everything I have is yours "he could have had a feast anytime he desired".
The elder brother did not ask, so he did not receive, it seems he was living far below his privilege.
If he had wanted more, all he had to do was ask.
This was his right as a first born son.
AMEN ========== This Message was Delivered by Evangelist Elizabeth Saidimu AT DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY to the group called "The Church".
The Church meets every Sunday afternoon from 2.
30pm at Daystar University - Valley Road Nairobi - Room 9.
You are welcome to join us.
Source...