06/29/2024
As I prepare to move into the second half of the year reading a daily devotional each morning that was written by Pastor E.M. Bounds (The Power of Prayer), I would like to direct our contemplation today towards the Holy Spirit and the impact that he has on our prayers, and our prayer lives. Will you walk with me as we study some of the important aspects of praying that the Holy Spirit brings into our prayer closets with us? Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as our paraclete, which means our helper, counselor, and comforter. Merriam-Wester’s dictionary defines paraclete simply as the Holy Spirit.
“These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Romans 8:26-27 KJV
After they had been waiting and praying, the Holy Spirit came to the Apostles as Jesus had promised. He instilled in them knowledge, the ability to recall scripture, and many other attributes beyond their capability, but of these, one of the greatest was an enhanced ability to pray. The account of the Holy Spirit's arrival is a powerful one and left no doubt that a new day had arrived....
“And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Acts 2:2-4 ESV
E.M. Bounds writes of our praying in the Spirit using these words: "The Divine Comforter puts the burden of earth's need into human hearts and makes human lips give voice to their unutterable groaning!"
Later, after the Spirit had come, Paul wrote to the Ephesians regarding their praying in the spirit, and spoke to them about the effect of such prayer. He lets them know the power that was contained in those prayers as they prayed for him... their prayers gave him voice. Listen to what he said…
“praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,”
Ephesians 6:18-19 ESV
We are directed to pray in secret, but on occasion we will be led to pray publicly and in those times we will sometimes pray in the Spirit and the utterances will be beyond the understanding of those around us. In those times we are instructed to remove the mystery so that others can share in that prayer.
“Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say "Amen" to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up.”
1 Corinthians 14:13-17 ESV
To biblical Jews and Christians, saying "Amen" to another's prayer was paramount to claiming that prayer as their own. And, if there was a blessing it meant that you would also share in that blessing. Amen is a powerful word and, although this is off our subject today, you should be careful when using it. When someone speaks don’t simply say Amen as if to say “I heard you”. No, Amen means not only “I hear”, but “I agree”, “Let it be so”, and it also has a much deeper Hebrew meaning by saying “I share completely in this thought and all it brings.” Now let’s go back to this morning’s core subject…
All Public prayer is for the edification of the church and those who hear it. Public prayer in the Spirit is no different. It is important that if we pray publicly in foreign tongues that an interpretation follow so that others can hear the message and have the opportunity to claim an Amen. Without an interpretation tongues is like praying loudly on the street corner; just an attempt to appear pious.
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
Matthew 6:5 ESV
So praying in The Spirit is powerful. Praying in this manner privately allows your spirit to commune with the Lord and you feel its meaning and effect, but praying in this way publicly demands interpretation.
Pastor Bounds completes his devotional message on praying in The Spirit with these words:
"What a mighty Christ of prayer is the Holy Spirit! How he quenches every flame in the heart but the flame of heavenly desire! How He quiets, like a weaned child, all the self-will, until we pray only as He prays." – E.M. Bounds
So this morning as we pray secretly in our prayer closets, open yourself to the blessing of praying in The Spirit, and allow this powerful outflow of your own spirit to occur. In this practice the distance between heaven and earth is reduced to a thin film and you are enriched beyond measure. If however this occurs without unknown tongues, don't be disappointed, The Spirit speaks just as boldly in English, Spanish, or whatever your native tongue happens to be as well. He doesn’t intend to lead us into a mystery, but into a close and rich conversation with the divine… The Holy Spirit, leading our spirit, into communion with God’s Spirit, and will.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit who, among many other things of the spirit, such as understanding and remembrance, leads us in our prayers, and gives us the ability to pray in languages that allow others to hear, understand, and claim an Amen to our words and utterances. Thank you for the comfort he brings to our spirit, and the closeness he directs us into with you. Thank you Father for allowing us to not only speak the words of our minds, but the deeper feelings of our heart and spirit to you.
Thank you Abba for those intense moments in prayer, like when a child has died, and our hearts are broken. In such times we experience a fullness of hurt and suffering that is beyond any word our minds can summon, our tongues form, or that our hearts can express on their own. In such moments our spirits join with the Holy Spirit in moans that only spirits can understand, and our hearts begin to bleed our pain before you, and unto you. From the wells of our souls comes an outflow of suffering, and you comfort us, and give us relief from it. In this we thank Jesus for his ascension that the Holy Spirit and Comforter could come.
Praised be your name Father, for wonderful is your mercy, and grace. May all glory be unto you for the coming of your Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit; each sent by you to give us peace, help us know you, and to save us so that your will that none would perish might be realized. Hear our prayers today Lord. Hear us as we pray with our minds, tongues, hearts, and spirits. Hear us in every language, and even in our moaning as we suffer and feel emotions too great for words. Dip into the wells of our souls Father and find us praying and longing for you, and to spend eternity in your presence. Call us children in whom you are pleased, and welcome us to your table forevermore.
And may all who believe and desire say…
Amen!
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
John 114:16-18 KJV
“These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:25-27 KJV
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
Rich Forbes