June 8 Pray in the Spirit

Ephesians 6:18a And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
 
NOW that we are wearing God’s armor, Paul says it’s time to do battle this way: “Pray in the Spirit.”  Prayer is the weapon and the strategy; prayer is the power to win the war if we pray in the Spirit. What does this mean?
    Let’s go back to Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. We learned there that the Holy Spirit is the unifying power between our unholy souls and the holy God. He is the bridge to connect us to the cross, to our salvation and to our sanctification – living more and more as one with God. Thus, as we pray in the Spirit, we are praying with the help and the power of the Third Person of the Holy Trinity.          
    To “pray in the Spirit means: 1) That the Spirit, our Helper, helps us when we pray: Romans 8:26a Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. 2) Continuing on in that verse the Spirit then intercedes (to mediate, to plead) for us: Romans 8:26b 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. 27 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. 3) Praying in the Spirit affirms our adoption into God’s household when we pray: Galatians 4:6 “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” Praying in the Spirit is praying with the Spirit’s help, intercession and affirmation. The power that created the world is with you in prayer!
    As I need an interpreter to preach in Africa and to hear the needs of the people there, you could say in summary that the Holy Spirit is your interpreter to the Father. He moves the human language into the heavenly realm to clearly communicate your petitions to the Father. Then he interprets the Father’s response back to you.
    Put on God’s armor. Wage the war with prayer. Trust the Spirit to help you speak to the one God. With one faith, find victory in Jesus, your one Lord, Savior and Redeemer.
 
Prayer: Holy Spirit, I need you to help me pray. In Jesus’ name, amen.