Praying In The Spirit
Ellen and I were discussing some things tonight pertaining to what I call "faith" matters. You know the things you can't see. The stuff that is hard for us consumer-minded Americans to grasp. Hebrews 11:1 says that "Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see." That is really tough for us I think. Especially when we're taught from childhood things like, "we can know ALL the truth simply by reading our Bible," and "God is rational and logical and predictable." I'm sorry, but I think that a God who can cause donkeys to talk and kings eat grass for years is not very rational, at least in our sense of the word.
So, I said all that to pick the minds of the great scholars who read this BLOG, which by the way, I am very grateful for the things you folks say. I also enjoy reading your thoughts.
Here's my question, What does it mean to "pray in the Spirit?" Look at Ephesians 6:18 and Jude 20. I'm wide open and listening in!
So, I said all that to pick the minds of the great scholars who read this BLOG, which by the way, I am very grateful for the things you folks say. I also enjoy reading your thoughts.
Here's my question, What does it mean to "pray in the Spirit?" Look at Ephesians 6:18 and Jude 20. I'm wide open and listening in!
posted by Keith Davis at
11:14 PM
3 Comments:
Like meowmix, I am a non-professional as well but for what it's worth, here's my take:
It seems that in light of chapter 6 and one of the themes of Ephesians (Get into Christ with both feet / stop acting like pagans during the week and then like Christians at church) he is asking them to do some things that in light of their past performance, might seem next to impossible. They have some tough habits to overcome in order to take off their masks before God and other people. The behavioral changes that Paul wants them to make (verses 1 – 9) must have seemed impossible. Perhaps this is why he asks them to pray in the Spirit? The power they need (and us as well) won’t come from pulling up your boot straps and relying on will power. As an African American brother of mine once said, “They need Holy Ghost power!”
There’s my shot. O.K. you professionals out there – blast away.
taqtlkh
By
cwinwc, at 8:46 AM
I've been preaching for about 10 years now and haven't been paid a dime, so I am the very definition of a non-professional.
Contextually, I find it interesting that both Paul and Jude had just referenced the Holy Spirit before using this phrase. I have a tendency in my study to try to keep things as simple as possible. So I believe the instruction that's being given here is to let the Spirit guide your praying. To give yourself over to Him as He translates your groanings to God. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are truly able to pray according to God's will and if we use His guidance, we will be overwhelmed with the desire for HIS will, and not ours, to be done.
By
Thurman8er, at 10:08 AM
I'll jump into the discussion not as a scholar or professional but as an interested reader.
You raise a good and interesting question. It is likely that prayer was not a new idea for the people who first read these words. People have been praying for centuries to all sorts of things. I think the admonition to "pray in the Spirit" carries two connected meanings. In these thoughts I will echo what has already been said.
First, consider to Whom you are praying, why you are praying and for what are you praying. You are not talking to some lifeless rock, paper or scissors. You are making a request of the God who made heaven and earth.
Second, consider the power and effectiveness of your prayer. Left on our own with our own limited prayer language we're stuck in the muck of spiritual narcissism.
Praying "in the Spirit" allows the Spirit to work in us, through us and for us to give power and presence to our prayers. When I am praying in the Spirit I am allowing the Spirit to search my heart and carry my petition to the Father.
Romans 8:26-27 (NCV) Also, the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself speaks to God for us, even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain. God can see what is in people's hearts. And he knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit speaks to God for his people in the way God wants.
I'm not sure it's all that complicated. It's certainly not another form of prayer like people argue with "the baptism of the Holy Spirit."
But, hey, I could be wrong.
By
Anonymous, at 10:15 AM
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