Grace Group Lesson - Praying in the Spirit
Praying in the Spirit
Ephesians 6:18
Eph. 6:18 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,
Eph. 6:19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
Eph. 6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
The Purpose of Prayer: To fulfill God’s will
RC Sproul provides a helpful explanation of this point:
“The simplest answer is that God ordains both the ends and the means. That is, our Creator has determined what will happen as well as the means that will make happen what He has determined will happen. For example, He has not only ordained that the gospel will go forth to all nations, but He has ordained that the gospel will go forth through the means of the Great Commission as the church makes disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18–20). In the case of prayer, we know that God has ordained that He will make certain things happen in response to our intercession.”
QUESTION: How has this helped your understanding of prayer?
The Power Of Prayer: In the Spirit
Eph. 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit
The power of our prayers is wrapped up in this simple phrase: “in the Spirit.” This is not an experience, this is not some emotional connection, we don’t first try to find some warm feeling before praying.
Eph. 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, Eph. 5:19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
The Spirit controls us through singing? When we are giving each other the knowledge of God’s word, the Spirit uses this knowledge to control our thoughts and desires. This is why we are called by Paul to never pray apart from the Spirit. We would end up praying for our selfish fleshly desires instead of in God’s will. But when we pray in the Spirit, in the knowledge of God’s will, the Spirit uses our prayers to change the world. Just as sinners come to faith by preaching the Gospel, God advances and cares for his church by prayer.
We have God’s guaranteed answer and his power using the Spirit when we pray prayers that the Spirit would agree upon. The more of the Bible we know, the more “in the Spirit” we can pray. That means the power in our prayer is not our emotional status, effort, dedication, or level of intensity. The power in our prayer comes from God keeping his promises. We need to use his means. Like preaching the gospel brings to life the lost, prayer fulfills his will in and through his people.
QUESTION: Understanding the power of prayer comes from God’s word, how does this help you in your prayers?
The People of Prayer: Thinking of others
Eph. 6:18 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,
Eph. 6:19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
Rom. 15:30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,
Phil. 1:19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,
2Cor. 1:11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
When we pray, keeping God’s will in our hearts and minds, we will see the actual power of God come to life from our words. God wants to move when you speak. God promises to move when you pray. God will save the world by the means of our words. We, sinful, weak, helpless beings, bring forth God's final purpose and will when we pray in the Spirit.
QUESTION: Knowing this truth, how can we find ways to pray more often together? What do you believe we should be praying for according to scripture?