Because we don’t know why we should pray…..[Romans 8.26] As it may seem, the power in prayer is only for those humble enough to admit that they don’t know how to pray.
The Holy Spirit is looking for such people in order to empower them in prayer. The spirit helps us in our weakness, we do not know why we should pray, but the spirit itself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.[Romans 8.26] only if we have the empowerment of the holy spirit in prayer can we obey the command given by Paul in [Ephesians 6.18]
“Keep praying in the spirit…. Be alert – watch and pray” What is “prayer” in the spirit”? How is it different from other forms or modes of prayer?
(a) DIFFERENT FORMS OF PRAYER
There are many ways we can approach the Lord in prayer, all of which are important and have their place in the church and in our walk with God.
1. Contemplative prayer. [Meditative]
Some religious orders have devoted their entire lives to prayer. They are dedicated to knowing God and relating to his will through meditation, thought, and prayer. His concern for the world is manifested basically through “intercession”: prayer on behalf of others. This is a noble and important form of prayer, yet those involved in this type of prayer rarely [hardly ever] learn to “pray in the spirit.”
2. Prayer books
Many read their prayers from “prayer books.” We have a prayer book in the Bible called the book of Psalms. When such prayers are read with a heart that truly seeks God, the Holy Spirit can bring the life of the living word to the written words.
3. Directed prayers
Others Repeat “Leading Prayers” Many of us have had someone help or lead us in our first prayer. Little children are taught to pray by their parents. We often lead people to say the sinner’s prayer. I recently witnessed a moving and humorous event involving “led prayer” in a church at the end of the service; a young man asked a visitor if he wanted to receive Christ as a savoir “No, I don’t think he is ready yet”, was the response of the visitors. Then the young man asked, “Would you know what to pray when you are ready?” No, I guess he wouldn’t” was the visitor’s honest response “would you like to know?
“Yes, I think I would” The young man then said, here is the prayer you should pray. Just repeat it after me, then he led the visitors in a simple “led prayer” of repentance, told the visitor what to pray to invite Jesus into his heart as his Lord and savior, while the visitor repeated the prayer, tears it began to drip from his eyes his face lit up with joy the Holy Spirit melted his resistance and Christ entered his heart and he was truly born again. Yes, God honors all kinds of prayer, if we are sincere and ask in faith. However, as wonderful as this may be – it is not “praying in the spirit”.
4) Shopping – sentence list.
Another form of prayer is what some call the shopping list approach. Some of us have a list of needs and wants that we present to God in prayer. We write them down so we don’t forget to keep praying until we receive God’s answer. The list may include a request for
1 families,
2 friends,
3 Church and
4 leaders
When our motives are right, this too is a form of prayer that results in blessing. In fact, [James 4:2] tell us that “we don’t have because we don’t ask”
An example of this is the story of the “prodigal son” [Luke 15; 11-31] the younger brother had asked for and received his inheritance [his part of the family fortune] in rebellion, he left his father and older brother and went to live a sinful life. Many months later he repented and returned home. His inheritance was gone, he was homeless and poor. Joyful his father received him at home, forgave him and called a party to celebrate the return of the prodigal son.
The older brother complained to his father “you never hurt me with a feast”
the father simply replied that you are always with me, and everything I have is yours “I could have had a party anytime I wanted.”
The older brother did not ask for what he did not receive, it seems that he was living far below his privilege. If he had wanted more, all he had to do was ask. This was his right as the firstborn son.
AMEN
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This message was delivered by Evangelist Elizabeth Saidimu AT DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY to the group called “The Church”. The Church meets every Sunday afternoon from 2:30 p.m. at Daystar University – Valley Road Nairobi – Room 9. You are welcome to join us.
