Praying in the Holy Ghost
Today's Verse:
Praying in the Holy Ghost, ~Jude 20b
This morning, we are looking at the second means by which we can overcome a faith attack. A faith attack is a satanically inspired assault against God, His Word, and our faith. It is meant to undermine God’s authority in our life and lead us to failure. Yesterday, we considered the means by which we must build up our faith. This morning, we are considering what Jude calls praying in the Holy Ghost. The apostates with whom we are contending with do not have the Spirit of God (v. 19). They are fleshly, lascivious, and ungodly in their character and attack. Praying in the Holy Ghost is praying that is dynamic, different, and definite. It is praying that takes time, effort, and great dependence. What is praying in the Holy Spirit?
There is the essential addiction.
Praying in the Holy Ghost demands a complete reliance and dependence upon Him. It is praying that is inseparable from the Holy Spirit. It is a stark contrast from the work of the apostates who are sensual, filthy dreamers and despise dominions. Praying in the Holy Spirit is seeking His complete control over our thoughts, our desires, and our words. It is being overcome with awe at the supreme holiness of God. It is realizing, like Isaiah did, that we are men who are undone with unclean lips. It is approaching the throne of grace in complete surrender for God’s will to be done through our praying. It is placing our feelings, fears, frustrations, and philosophical ideas into His filtering and refining process as we pray.
There is the enabled assistance.
The ministry of the Holy Spirit is that of a Comforter or One Who comes alongside of us. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities” (Romans 8:26a). Praying in the Holy Ghost is allowing Him to help us in our praying. There are several important ways how He helps us. He helps us to understand God’s mind on all matters. He helps us by restraining corrupt desires from our flesh. He helps us bear the trials and troubles that come into our life. He helps us to do great and glorious things to honor God. He helps our infirmities. Much of our praying is contrived, manufactured, copied from other people, and frankly, insipid and powerless. Prayer is asking God to do what we cannot do. Praying in the Holy Ghost is enabled assistance. We need His help to get to the next level of answers to our praying. Do you pray with the sense that you need the Spirit’s help?
There is the expressive articulation.
Praying in the Holy Ghost is allowing Him to do the speaking to God for us. “For we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26b). Let our heart be without words, rather than our words be without heart. We must approach God with the idea, “Lord, I don’t know what to say. Lord, I don’t know how to express with my words what is on my heart.” I believe expressive articulation is simple, but powerful praying. It is a father praying, “Lord, I believe; Help thou mine unbelief.” It is a desperate mother praying, “Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.” It is a man on his death bed praying, “Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight.” It’s the Holy Spirit taking what is on our heart and expressing it so that we have God’s ear on our concerns.
There is the extraordinary advantage.
Praying in the Holy Ghost gives us an advantage over the power of darkness, doubt, and distress. It is incredible strength in our moment of weakness. It is the wind that opens the Red Sea before us. It is finding grace to help in time of need. It is consistent answers of souls being saved, lives being restored, and fruit that remains.
Are you praying in the Holy Ghost? Are you willing to take the time and effort to master the art of effective praying?
Have a prayerful God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Jeremiah 14-17
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