In the Groove-Prayer

Staying In-Step with The Holy Spirit Through Prayer

Scriptures: Galatians 5:25 // Jude 1:20 // Ephesians 6:18 // Romans 8:26-27// 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 // Luke 11:1-4

Last week we began to think about being in-step with the Holy Spirit.

The sermon series is entitled, “In the Groove.”

“In the Groove” is a phrase that relates to music.

Dictionary.com says, to be in the groove is to:

Perform very well, excellent … It was adopted up by jazz musicians in the 1920s 

 …  it probably alludes to a phonograph needle running in the groove of a vinyl recording. 

Being in the groove is more than a solo effort.

It is a beautiful thing when a group is in the groove.

Whether it’s in worship or in prayer or in service to others.

“Being in the groove” with the Holy Spirit means being in perfect alignment with God.

With His Word, His will, His timing, His methods — His Heart.

With His Church — our fellow servants.

As we saw in Galatians 5:25 Paul reminds the early church, and us, of the necessity of being in-step with the Spirit.

Let me syncretize a few versions together that maybe gives us a better idea of what this verse is saying:

“Since we are living by the Spirit, since the life of the Spirit is the kind of life we choose, let us make sure that we do not just hold "staying in-step with the Holy Spirit” as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but let us work out its implications in the every detail of our lives.”

One preacher says, ignoring being in-step with the Spirit ...

Is like being on the dance floor and ignoring the music or trying to move ahead of your partner, things can quickly become chaotic and awkward — and painful!

But when we tune into God’s rhythm, listen closely, and let God guide us, the movement of life becomes smooth, natural, and even beautiful.

That’s what it’s like to live in step with the Spirit.

I would think most of us see being in-step with the Spirit as something to which we aspire.

Kind of like what the Apostle Paul said in 

Philippians 3:12–16 (NLT) I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

That sounds like a good approach to the New Year.

As we embark on the journey into and through 2026 let’s...

Let go of the failures of 2025 and before.

Let go of the disappointments, heartaches and pain of 2025 and before

Instead, let’s press into a desire to achieve “being in the groove with the Holy Spirit.”

In-step with Him.

Like we sang a few minutes ago…

Focused on what lies ahead.

Seeing and hearing what the Holy Spirit would reveal to us.

Of course the best way to do that is through prayer.

And I would even go a step further — not just prayer — but prayer in the Holy Spirit.

Isn’t that what the Word tells us to do?

Jude 20 (NASB95) … beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, [through] praying in the Holy Spirit,

Ephesians 6:18 (NASB95) With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, …

We pray in the Spirit because as says:

Romans 8:26–27 (NASB95) … the Spirit … helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but [if we will aloow Him] the Spirit Himself intercedes for us [and through us] with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

As we [ray we pray both in the Spirit and with understanding [or in our native tongue].

1 Corinthians 14:13–15 (NASB95) … let [the] one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.

God’s Will for Us

The Apostle Paul gives us further instructions that will align us with God’s will.

that will keep us in-step with the Holy Spirit.

Those instructions include prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–22 (NASB95) Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.

These are our marching orders given to us through the Holy Spirit.

Remember last week?

I said, the Apostle Paul also had to stay in-step with the Holy Spirit since he was giving us apostolic instructions for life.

As says 2 Peter 1:20–21 (NASB95) … know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

The Holy Spirit, through the Word of God, is giving us instructions on how to stay in-step...

First, we need to rejoice always.

To "rejoice always" is to trust that God is working for good, even in situations we may not yet understand.

Then we are told to pray continually.

This doesn’t necessarily mean being on our knees 24/7, but rather cultivating a mindset of continual communication with God.

Prayer is meant to be an ongoing dialogue or a heart posture where we remain aware of God’s presence in every moment.

This kind of prayer includes adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.

Some in the church have given us an acronym that is easily remembered; A.C.T.S.

We can stay in the groove with the Holy Spirit by using this practical way to live out this continual prayer life.

You could write this on the back of your bulletin.

A - Adoration: Begin by praising God for who He is— Our Father who is in heaven.

We adore His character, power, and love.

This sets the tone of worship and reminds us of His greatness.

C - Confession: We acknowledge our sins and seek God’s forgiveness.

We inviting Him to cleanse our heart and restore our relationship with Him.

1 John 1:9 “ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

T - Thanksgiving: We express gratitude for God’s blessings, provision, and faithfulness, recognizing His work in our lives.

S - Supplication: Bring your requests to God, praying for our needs and the needs of others with faith and trust in His willingness to provide.

I believe the author, CS Lewis states the value in praying in this way when he said,

“The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.”

This way of praying is the right foot, left foot of the Christian faith.

Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication.

In this way we stay in-step and let God guide us each day.

As a part of Paul's instruction, he also calls them to gratitude.

Gratitude shifts our focus from our problems to God's provision and His faithfulness.

Paul doesn’t say 1 Thessalonians to give thanks for all circumstances but in all circumstances.

It’s in Ephesians 5:20 (NASB95) always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

A life marked by joy, prayer, and gratitude reflects the character of Christ and stands as a powerful witness to the world.

It is, as verse 18 says… God’s will for us.

As we stay in alignment with the Holy Spirit — receptive to Him…

We will not quench the Spirit.

We will receptive, but discerning of prophetic utterances.

We will examine prophetic utterances and make sure they align with the Word of God — the Bible.

When we are in alignment with God’s will of praise, adoration, thanksgiving and listening for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will as says …

Philippians 4:6–7 (NASB95) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Starting 2026 Right

I believe that staring the year with fasting and prayer will set the tone for the rest of the year.

There are so many supplications for us to make.

Not just for ourselves but for the many other needs.

We pray for this nation using the prayer guide I put in our bulletin.

Praying for our nation

Oh, how we need prayer!

Pray for an awakening.

It seems that the slumber of sin is being disturbed.

A younger generation is hungry and thirsty for God.

Let’s pray that it isn’t restricted to the younger generation, but that the move of God flows across generational, societal, economic, lines.

Praying for our schools

The need is so great here!

Some school systems have decided they know best about raising children.

It is a natural progression since so many parents have abdicated that responsibility to the school.

Praying for our national leaders

Elections this year.

Praying for our state leaders

Elections this year.

We will be electing a new governor.

That has tremendous implications for our future.

Praying for our local leaders

I was reading in the newspaper about Union County.

Commissioner Collins is trying to have a more transparent budgeting process — a laudable goal.

Praying for our judiciary

All the courts are being given Solomon and the baby situations to judge.

Pray for judges to seek guidance from the Supreme Judge.

Pray for the Supreme Court’s decisions.

Pray for the Supreme Court of Finland as they determine their decision in the Pavi Rasenen case.

Praying for our churches

Pray that we will be the salt and light that Jesus has called us to be.

Prayer for the Nations

But we not only pray for the US, we pray for all the nations.

As our Worldview tells us the needs of the nations are great.

I encourage you to read the vision that the Assemblies of God has for reaching the world.

For not being content to have 42% of the world’s population being unreached (Page 30)

As we saw on the news…

Venezuela needs our prayers

Christians in many nations are being persecuted — many are being killed.

Pray for the persecuted Church.

Commit to Prayer

Yes, let’s commit to prayer in this new year.

Let see prayer as not just a task we check off our to-do list or something we reserve for special moments.

May we see it as an ongoing conversation, a daily communion with our Creator.

Through prayer, we open our hearts to God’s presence, invite His guidance, and experience the peace and joy that only He can provide.

Jesus’ teachings on prayer can transform our lives.

Whether we’re just beginning our prayer journey or looking to grow in our faith, I pray that this morning’s message will help us learn how to align our lives with the heart of God.

To get in the groove of the Spirit through the practice of prayer.

Prayer is not just a scheduled activity but a continuous communion with the Creator.

Through a study of Jesus’ teaching on prayer, we learn practical ways to deepen our personal connection with God.

One of the fundamental truths taught in the Word is that we can live in connection to the God of the universe.

Though this may seem daunting or overwhelming, the Bible tells us that when we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are given the Holy Spirit to live and dwell within us.

It is the Holy Spirit that convicts us, empowers us, and guides us.

This Spirit is meant to be the engine that drives our daily lives.

So, as we wrap up this message, let’s remember…

POINT #1 – PRAYER IS CONSTANT CONVERSATION

Prayer is the way we tune into God’s rhythm.

It’s how we slow down, listen for His voice, and follow His lead.

God says in Psalm 46:10 (NASB95) “[Be still, be at peace, surrender your anxiety] Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Just as staying in rhythm requires focus and intentionality, staying in step with the Spirit requires us to cultivate a daily habit of connection with God.

Prayer isn’t just about speaking—it’s about listening, trusting, and letting God guide the day in day out rhythm of our lives.

Any married couple will tell you that communication is the foundation of a meaningful relationship.

The same thing is true when it comes to our connection and relationship with God.

Over and over the Bible addresses our need for an ongoing dialogue with God.

POINT #2 – PRAYER IS GOD’S WILL FOR US

as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, God’s will for you…

In the church we often hear people ask, "What is God’s will for my life?"

As we saw, 1 Thessalonians 5 God's will is that we rejoice, pray, and give thanks continually.

Prayer is not a mystery—it’s God’s invitation to daily connection.

Through prayer, we align with His heart, experiencing His presence in every moment.

This lifestyle of prayer builds intimacy with God and aligns our desires with His will.

To stay in the groove, prayer must be a consistent, intentional practice.

Prayer is the path that keeps us in step with God, but if we let it slip, we lose the rhythm.

Daily prayer helps us remain focused on God’s presence, guiding us through the chaos of life.

It doesn’t have to be lengthy or complicated; it's simply about staying connected, even in small moments.

It is not just about speaking to God.

It is also about listening to God.

POINT #3 – YOU ARE PRAYING TO YOUR FATHER

As I mentioned earlier, we are praying to our heavenly Father.

When Jesus was asked by His disciples about how to pray …

Luke 11:2 (NLT) Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: “Father, …

It’s fascinating to me that in all their time with Jesus, the disciples asked Him to teach them only one specific thing: how to pray.

They could have requested lessons on performing miracles or feeding multitudes, but instead, they sought to understand prayer.

Why?

Is it because they recognized that prayer was the lifeline of Jesus’ relationship with His Father?

Perhaps they wanted to experience that same deep connection themselves.

The lesson that is offered by Jesus is a model to follow.

He offers the Lord’s Prayer and shows prayer is not about transactions or requests, but about a relationship.

Prayer draws us closer to our Father, helping us acknowledge His holiness, surrender to His way, and trust Him for our needs and forgiveness.

When we pray, we’re not addressing a distant or impersonal deity.

We’re speaking to a loving Father who knows us completely and wants to walk with us.

Jesus shows us how to pray with confidence.

We can boldly come to God because of His love for us as his children.

A story is told of a mighty king who ruled over a vast and powerful kingdom.

He was constantly surrounded by advisors, soldiers, and dignitaries, and no one could approach him without permission.

One day, as the king was holding an important council meeting, the heavy doors to the throne room burst open.

Everyone gasped, expecting the guards to intervene.

Instead, a little boy ran straight to the king and jumped into his arms.

The advisors looked shocked, but the king just smiled and held the boy close.

The child didn’t need permission because he was the king’s son.

While others approached the king with fear and protocol, this child approached him with confidence, knowing that his father’s love gave him direct access.

Prayer is the key to staying in step with the Spirit, to staying in the groove.

Much like the king’s son confidently approached his father whenever he wanted, we too have direct access to our loving Father through the gift of prayer.

It’s not just a task, but a constant conversation that aligns our hearts with God’s heart.

This week, let’s begin to re-learn to embrace prayer as a daily rhythm, deepening our connection with God.

When we commit to this ongoing conversation, we’ll not only hear His voice more clearly, but also discover the beauty of living fully in His presence.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of prayer, the privilege of staying in constant conversation with You.

We invite Your Spirit to guide us, to align our hearts with Yours, and to teach us how to live in rhythm with You each day.

Help us to remain connected, not just in moments of need, but throughout all the moments of our lives.

Thank You for the confidence we have to approach You as our loving Father, and for Your invitation to rejoice, pray, and give thanks in every circumstance.

We commit to making prayer a regular rhythm in our lives.

May we grow deeper in our relationship with You, hearing Your voice more clearly, and responding to Your lead.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Series Title: In The Groove

Week 1: Constant Conversation