THE HOLY SPIRIT & prayer
The Holy Spirit AND & • Sermon • Submitted
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· 6 viewsThe Holy Spirit helps us pray, even when we do not know what to say or how to say it.
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Transcript
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Introduction
Although cell phone coverage is better than it used to be, we all know what it is like to have a called “dropped” in the middle of a conversation
Technology has it’s limits — it can fail at the most inconvenient of times
Illustration: For some reason, Teri’s phone and my phone do not get along. We have sent each other messages but neither of us receive them. The same with calls, most of the time. Why? There is no rhyme or reason to it. I don’t know anyone else whose phone doesn’t get along with my phone. Strange, indeed!
Communication with God does not depend on technology —
Prayer is spiritual communication with God
The moment we speak the name of Jesus, all of Heaven’s attention is drawn to us -
What allows this amazing thing to happen — this communion…this relational interaction between the Creator and us?
The Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to live in active relationship with God — He provides the connection and empowerment that enables us to pray — to speak to God and to hear His voice — loving communication
Most believers struggle with prayer…often becoming discouraged because they don’t feel very confident in their ability to effectively pray.
But here’s a very comforting and encouraging thought from someone who understood the importance of prayer — the Apostle Paul:
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
The Holy Spirit helps us pray, even when we do not know what to say or how to say it.
Transitional: The Holy Spirit helps us grow in faith and love for God, encouraging us to pray more passionately
THE WHY BEHIND SPIRIT-EMPOWERED PRAYER
Exposition:
Acts 3-4 records Peter and John’s encounter with a lame man at the Temple gate in Jerusalem
Acts 3:1–6 (ESV)
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
When the people witnessed this amazing miracle, they were astonished. Peter then stood up and preached to the crowd, proclaiming that this man was healed by the power of Jesus, whom they had condemned to death. He called them to repentance
And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
The next day, the high priest and religious leaders challenged Peter and John — “by whose power did you accomplish this thing?” Peter, full of the Holy Spirit responded...
let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.
The religious leaders knew they couldn’t refute the miracle — they told Peter and John not to preach in Jesus’s name again (yeah…right!) and then released them.
Acts 4:23 (ESV)
When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
…the why behind Spirit-empowered prayer
Prayer is spiritual communication with God - based upon our awareness of our need
We need His help constantly — there is not a moment in time that we don’t need Jesus
Prayer is our response to troubling issues in our lives and the lives of others
James 5:13 (ESV)
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
Prayer should be our first response rather than our last resort
Transition: We should not hesitate to pray specific prayers — Because the Holy Spirit helps us pray
THE WHAT WITHIN SPIRIT-EMPOWERED PRAYER
And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “ ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
…the what within Spirit-empowered prayer
Prayer includes two general components
Praise — Honoring and Adoring God for His greatness (24 ff)
Petition — Requests, concerns (29-30)
Prayer has no limits — bring it all to God
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Prayer is always good when it is honestly expressed toward God
Transitional: The Holy Spirit helps us stay alert to every opportunity to pray, praise, and honor the Lord
THE HOW AND WHEN OF SPIRIT-EMPOWERED PRAYER
Acts 4:24 (NLT)
When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God...
…the how and when of prayer
Prayer is communication with God that is available anytime and any place
Prayer is most often spoken aloud
Prayer has two basic contexts
Individual prayer
Corporate prayer
Transitional: When we pray through the enablement of the Holy Spirit, we will see results
THE RESULTS OF SPIRIT-EMPOWERED PRAYER
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Prayer that is Spirit-empowered is...
Praying from your mind (natural language)
Praying from your spirit (prayer language)
Both are encouraged and powerful in our relationship with God
Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Illustration: My experience with praying in the Spirit — from 13 years of age, all the way til today
CHALLENGE
Reminders to help us pray more consistently and effectively:
Our need for God means we need to pray
Our prayers usually include both praise and petition
Our prayers include both individual and corporate experiences
We MUST have the Holy Spirit’s assistance in prayer
The Holy Spirit helps us pray, encouraging us to keep seeking the Lord, even when we do not know what to say.