Praying in the Spirit

 By: Joanne Viola

Prayer still remains such a mystery, leaving much for us to continue to learn. This week let’s continue to seek wisdom and understanding as to the meaning of “praying in the Spirit.”

What does this mean? Samuel Chadwick, in “The Path of Prayer” brings these insights:

“In the same way 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;  and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
(Romans 8:26-27, NASB)

• Cooperation. Prayer is a joint venture in which we, the believer, pray in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. As believers, the Holy Spirit resides in us. He is active and always at work, seeking to guide us. Yes, even in prayer.

“We pray in the Spirit, and the Spirit maketh intercession for us.”

(Samuel Chadwick, The Path of Prayer, page 36) 

• Fellowship. The Holy Spirit does not work to please Himself, but works according to the will of the Father, and upon the completed work of Christ. He works in the believer’s life and prayers in complete fellowship with the Father and the Son. He searches the deep things of God and reveals them to us, His people.

"The Holy Spirit does nothing of Himself, neither does He do anything for Himself. His mission is to glorify Christ, and He does is based upon the finished work of Christ.”

(Samuel Chadwick, The Path of Prayer, page 36)

• Help. Left to pray on our own, we would pray for those things which fulfill our own desires. But are our desires His desires for us? As we pray quietly before our Father, His Spirit aligns our prayers with the will of the Father. It is then, our prayers become inspired and prevail.

“He [the Holy Spirit] sanctifies desire and directs it into the will of God, so that we desire what God wills to give … He quickens desire, purifies motive, inspires confidence, and assures faith.”

(Samuel Chadwick, The Path of Prayer, page 38)

There are times our most powerful prayers are spoken without any words at all. In the quiet presence of our Father, we can sit quietly, permitting Him to guide our thoughts and prayers. In His Presence alone, we can let our tears roll and know He understands the anguish of our soul and will intercede for us.

“He is the power that worketh in us … He it is that makes prayer the mightiest force in the universe of God.”

(Samuel Chadwick, The Path of Prayer, page 39)

The secret of prayer lies in the power of the Holy Spirit.
May He teach us to pray.

 

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash