12/29/2020
Do we say that we pray in the Spirit? When we say this it is not altogether true, we mis-speak, because in reality we do not control the Spirit; the Spirit prays of its own accord from within us, and gives utterance to prayer that is within God’s will, while our own prayers are predominately comprised of our will, and weaknesses. Sometimes the Spirit’s prayer is a restatement of ours, but most times it is an intercession that is far beyond our desires and wants. A reconciliation of our will with God’s... a pruning of our wants to conform with what God’s will has planned for us.
“And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
Romans 8:27 ESV
We are meant to seek the will of God, and to pray within it, but how many times do we find our wants to be so dire and pressing that we begin to pray without seeking our Father’s will first? In times such as this we pray with great intensity until at last the Holy Spirit takes the tiller from our hands and mercifully begins to pray in intercession for us. In such times we hear moans and utterances pouring forth from within us, prayers that we can feel, but which are unknown and mysterious to us. Only by the grace of God are we made to understand them.
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
Romans 8:26 ESV
John Bunyan, an English writer, and Puritan preacher of the mid 1600s, expressed his thoughts on this subject in these words...
“Many ask and do not have because they ask amiss. While prayer is in the making, God is searching the heart to see from what root and spirit it comes. That which is according to his will he hears, and nothing else. Men praying without the Holy Spirit are so prone to senseless, hypocritical, cold and unseemly prayers. He helps us in our weakness.” - John Bunyan
So we might not be praying as we should and asking what is in accordance to God’s Will, but if we are believers, God’s children, and love Him, we will find that the Holy Spirit steps forward to help us. In this way our prayer will be culled and possibly modified by the Spirit as he conforms our desires to God’s perfect will, and the result will ultimately be for our good.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 ESV
Are we ready to allow the Holy Spirit to pray for us? Are we obliged to give him the tiller, and allow the moans and groans which erupt from within us to be guided by him? Can we hear them being uttered and let go of ourselves long enough to allow him to pray our prayers as they should be prayed, and let him conform our desires to the will of God? Are we ready to accept the good that will ultimately come from God rather than what we believe to be good... our own adamant wants and self-willed prayers?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the intercession of Jesus as He prays for us, and your Holy Spirit as he conforms our prayers to your will. Thank you Lord for the wonders that you ultimately provide us, and for working all things together for our good, even when we don’t understand your ways, your plan for us, or the prayers of the Spirit that have translated our wants; conforming them to your will. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who leads us to righteousness, and teaches us to pray as we should. Praised be your name as you reveal your will to us, and give us patience to wait for our answered prayers when we ask within that will. Help us Lord during those times when our emotions rule us and bring us to prayer without first seeking your will. Let your Holy Spirit begin to pray for us in such times when we fall short, and give us the faith to allow him free rein as he intercedes in moans and utterances on our behalf. Hear our prayers in those times when we have sought and cone to know your will, and are praying within it in the name of Jesus... in such times fulfill your promise to us, and give to us according to our prayers. Merciful are you Lord for making an abundance of divine intercession available to us, even as you provided redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ... always with us, forever loving us. Wash us clean in the blood of your Son Jesus, hear His intercession for us, and give us understanding and prayer through your Holy Spirit. Judge us worthy Father, and seat us round you at your table forevermore. Let your will be done, and our obedience in it be eternally perfect.
Rich Forbes