Fruit of the Spirit
May 30, 2011
The Power of Prayer
June 10, 2011
There is a connection in the Bible between the Holy Spirit and prayer. Prayer is one of the most important activities that a Christian can engage in, and yet many believers find it to be a difficult practice.
When our prayer life is filled with the Holy Spirit it takes on a whole new dimension. Let’s look at some ways that the Holy Spirit is connected to prayer:
1. The Holy Spirit is Attracted to Prayer
We see several times in the Bible where the Holy Spirit moves and comes upon people in the context of prayer. When the early church was waiting for the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Scripture says that they “continued with one accord in prayer and supplication” (Acts 1:14). They were not just waiting passively; they were praying passionately- and then they were filled with the Spirit.
Look also at Acts 4:31: “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” The church was beginning to experience persecution and so they came together to pray. As a result, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and had a fresh boldness to declare God’s Word.
Even in the case of Jesus being anointed with the Spirit for His ministry there is a connection to prayer. In Luke’s version it says: “When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him” (Luke 3:21-22). We often miss that Jesus was praying when the Holy Spirit came upon Him.
An atmosphere of prayer attracts the presence of the Holy Spirit. To be a Spirit-filled believer you must be a praying believer. To be a Spirit-filled church you must be a praying church.
2. The Holy Spirit Empowers us to Pray
Not only is the Holy Spirit attracted to prayer, He also empowers us to pray. Look at Romans 8:26-27: “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
We do not always know what to pray for, but the Holy Spirit will lead us and empower us to pray according to God’s will. This includes, but is not limited to, praying in tongues by the Spirit’s power. Praying in tongues can be a powerful weapon of prayer and the Lord can use it to pray through us what He desires to pray.
We also must wait on the Lord and allow Him to lead us and direct us in prayer. Too often we come to Him in prayer and we simply go through our “laundry list” of requests. While there is nothing wrong with bringing our requests to God, we must also allow the Spirit to lead us in what to pray. I have personally found this to be one of the hardest parts of prayer; just waiting on the Lord in silence. But I have also found this to be the most rewarding part of prayer, as this is when the Lord reveals Himself to me the most.
Let us become a people of prayer who seek the face of God and call upon Him. Let us cultivate a lifestyle of Spirit-empowered prayer. As it says in Jude vs. 20, let us build ourselves up in the faith, praying in the Holy Spirit!
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17 Comments
Your focus on the Holy Spirit and Prayer is the only and highest spiritual choice and commitment left for the church to return to it. Keep up the pursuit to reviving the Body of Christ. Amen
Matthew, thank you for the comment, and thank you for your committment to the Lord. God bless you in your work in Nigeria!
-Jake
Your works of expounding the scriptures are proofs that you have the word n Spirit of God.may God grant you access to more mysteries in jesus precious name…
I appreciate that Pastor Paul, God bless you!
-Jake
I am so blessed coming in contact with this profound revelation you have shared from the deepest of your spirit and God’s mind.I know no one can write with such passion and anointing unless you have been with God.God bless you.
Thank you so much for this post. We are a fairly new church and im starting up a prayer group. I think this will help me get the group focused on where we need to go.
Glad to see you are interested in the Holy Spirit and prayer. I came across you thru google as I am doing a study on the Holy Spirit and prayer. Not that I dont know anything, as I have been in intercessory prayer for donkeys years, i just feel challenged to go deeper. I would like to rcommend Oswald Chambers if you havent found him yet, esp “If you will ask”, also “My Utmost for His Highest”, a devotional. I think prayer and biblical meditation are keys to victory and moving forwards. God bless
Hey Anne, thanks for stopping by, I hope you were encouraged by the article. “My Utmost For His Highest” is a great devotional; really solid and challenging. And yes, I agree that prayer and meditating on the Word are big keys in our relationship with the Lord. Keep going deeper!
[…] attracts the presence of the Holy Spirit, and when we become a praying church we will truly be the house of God. He wants His people to […]
thank God for using you to bless us. I believe that continuous prayer, firm study of the scriptures and faith will eventually invite the holy spirit into you. Thanks a lot pastor.
Glad you were blessed by this article. May God fill you with His Spirit in a powerful way!
Thanks jake.. U see God gave me this words ” the Glory of God comes with Great power, i surrender myself to the Holy Spirit to guide me, lead me, direct me and teach me in prayers, He will help me to remember the Words of Jesus Christ and He will help me to walk in the way that will please God the Father… I always say it whenever am about to pray and wen i start praying the Holy Ghost will come down upon me an interceeds for me in prayers and the Lord’s will for my life will be made known.. Thanks so much for your article. God bless u.. Am Udeme from nigeria
Thanks for the comment Udeme, I am glad that this article was a blessing to you!
Hello Jake,
Thanks. I do lots of meditation and praying, but always separate. What a beautiful blending of the two I have been missing.
Is it normal to have “dry seasons” in your Christian faith and prayer? I hate this….I feel so empty. Please advise. Thank you
Rhonda,
Yes, there can certainly be dry seasons at times. Sometimes we are in times of “pruning” (See John 15:1-8). I encourage you to not look back on other times, but seek God or the season you are in and what He would have for you in this specific time!
Here is a sermon that might be helpful to you: God’s Due Season
God Bless,
Jake
Beatiful,beautiful site. Kenya is enjoying the fruits of God’s revelation through you