Praying at all times in the Spirit

As I come to the end of this passage on the armor of God I can't help to conclude that even to know how to pray 'in the Spirit' we need to know the Word of God. The Holy Spirit does His work through the Word. I am reminded of 1 Thessalonians 2: 13, 'And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the the word of God's message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs it's work in you who believe.' The Holy Spirit and the Word of God work together teaching, guiding, and motivating us to walk according to truth, to walk in faith believing in Christ, trusting His Word. The Holy Spirit makes God's word come alive to us, deepens our desire to know God.

So as we come to Ephesians 6: 18- "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints," I am often prompted to pray for someone as I am reading the Word. A person or a situation will come to mind as I am reading because the Spirit has shown me that this scripture relates and so I pray that scripture for that person or situation. Another time I may be talking to someone and they may share some burden and the Lord brings to remembrance a verse that can comfort or encourage that person. We may even stop and pray about it right then.

Praying scripture for someone is always beneficial. You know that God's Word is His will for them. We need to be sensitive to the Spirit when He prompts us to pray and pray. Right then, right there!

Praying in the Spirit is praying according to the character and will of the Spirit, just as praying in the name of Jesus is praying according to His character, His will. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are always in unity, in agreement. They are never set against One another or work against One another. We must be careful and sure that we pray in accordance with God. Knowing the Word and praying the Word gives us this confidence.

All of our prayers, petitions, and supplications should be in accordance with the Spirit. Often times we are unsure of what to pray for as we ought and Paul tells us in Romans 8: 26, 27, that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 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." Notice this goes on to say that He causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him to those who are called according to His purpose. God's will is 'for us'- 'toward us'. Even when the burden we carry is so great that we can't even form thoughts for prayer our precious Lord provides. God is always working for us, on our behalf. One reason for this is for our conformation to the image of Christ. All of these things God uses to make us like Christ. This is His will for us! He called us to this.

My point is that as we pray for one another, using scripture, we will pray according to His will, for His purpose to be fulfilled and this will be for His greatest good on behalf of those whom we pray.

Know the Word so you can pray for those you love for God's greatest good,
for the praise of His glory,
Norma