Pray In The Spirit Series

Pray “in the Spirit”:

Have you ever done that – pray “in the Spirit”? Is this any different than praying in your mind, or praying with your spoken word? I think it is. Let me get practical and tell a few stories.

This week, someone poked their head into my office and said “hey, I was praying for “x” and a sort of strange idea popped into my head which I don’t really know what to do with, so I’m going to share it with you… I felt like the Holy Spirit was leading me to pray against guilt –that person “x” was not to blame themselves for the things going on in their life. It didn’t really seem to relate, so I prayed about it and thought I’d just tell you in case it means something.”

Well, a little later in the week I was talking with this other person, and as we visited the topic of guilt came up – I didn’t bring it up, but there was the opportunity and so I shared this other persons’ prayer. And it made a big difference – person “x” was really encouraged, the prayer spoke to the need. That was prayer “in the Spirit”.

As we began our season of prayer, one of our first prayer gatherings was focused on our mom’s morning out ministry. As I sat in the circle, and was praying along with the others who were verbalizing prayer, I started to think of the experience each of those preschool children have had – of being welcomed, loved, comforted, taught, prayed for: and I started to pray that those experiences would be like a seed, pushed deep into the soul of each of those children, and that God would at the perfect time begin to grow that seed, build on that foundation, and draw each of those children to Himself. I prayed that those seeds of faith would be protected and nourished, and that God would bring the growth. My mind and my voice was involved, yes, but it was more than that – I believe it was the heart of God for those kids, and that the Holy Spirit led me to pray that for them. That is prayer “in the Spirit”.

This morning we celebrated our year of Sunday school, and as we planned how to do this as an act of worship during this season of prayer, I believe that the Holy Spirit led us as staff to the idea that we experienced this morning. That is prayer “in the Spirit”.

I want you to notice that none of those stories are earth-shattering, miraculous, or sensational. They are, however, examples of God walking and talking with His people in ordinary, normal ways – about ordinary, normal things – and making a difference for the Kingdom of God. I could find and tell sensational stories, mostly second hand but certainly earth-shattering, miraculous examples of God’s power and continued reign in our world. But I’m convinced that when we focus on those types of stories, we mis-represent the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is about God reigning in every area of our lives, and about our response of loving obedience to Him. When He chooses to act in miraculous ways, I praise Him and so should we all. But there is a deeper life, to which I call you today: a life of daily, consistent, loving obedience.