Empowered Prayer: Partnering with the Holy Spirit

 

Summary

In this session, we explore the profound concept of "praying in the Spirit," as inspired by Jude's exhortation to build ourselves up in our most holy faith. The Holy Spirit, who resides within us, plays a crucial role in our prayer life, acting as a divine partner who aids us in our communication with God. Prayer is not a solitary act; it involves the Father, to whom we speak, the Son, in whose name we come, and the Spirit, who assists us in our weaknesses. This divine partnership ensures that we are never alone in our prayers, as God is actively engaged in listening, interceding, and helping us.

The Holy Spirit's assistance is particularly vital because we often do not know what we ought to pray for. Our human understanding is limited, and we may be unsure of God's will in various situations. The Spirit helps us by using the scriptures to shape and direct our prayers, ensuring they align with God's heart and mind. By allowing our prayers to be informed by the Word of God, we can keep them fresh and vibrant, discovering new insights and inspirations each day.

Prayer can be divided into four parts: worship, confession, thanksgiving, and intercession. In worship, we draw near to God, using scripture to fuel our adoration. In confession, the Bible acts as a light, revealing hidden sins in our hearts that we can then bring before God for forgiveness and cleansing. Thanksgiving is enriched by the Spirit's guidance, helping us find reasons to be grateful even in challenging times. Finally, intercession is made more meaningful as we pray for others, using scripture to guide our requests and keep them relevant and heartfelt.

By integrating scripture into our prayer life, we allow the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into our communication with God. This practice not only enriches our personal spiritual journey but also equips us to support and uplift others through prayer.

Key Takeaways:

- Divine Partnership in Prayer: Prayer is a collaborative effort involving the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Spirit aids us in our weaknesses, ensuring that we are never alone in our prayers. This divine partnership enriches our prayer life, making it a powerful means of communication with God. [01:41]

- Scripture as a Guide: The Holy Spirit uses scripture to shape and direct our prayers, aligning them with God's will. By allowing our prayers to be informed by the Word, we can keep them fresh and vibrant, discovering new insights each day. [04:21]

- Worship Through the Word: Scripture fuels our worship by reminding us of God's attributes and deeds. As we meditate on the Word, we find new reasons to adore and praise God, deepening our relationship with Him. [06:08]

- Confession and Illumination: The Bible acts as a light, revealing hidden sins in our hearts. By confessing these sins, we receive forgiveness and cleansing, allowing us to grow in holiness and align our lives with God's standards. [09:07]

- Thanksgiving and Intercession: The Spirit guides us in giving thanks and interceding for others. By using scripture, we find reasons to be grateful and ways to pray meaningfully for those we love, ensuring our prayers remain relevant and heartfelt. [14:09]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Praying in the Spirit
- [00:44] - Understanding the Holy Spirit's Role
- [01:22] - The Divine Partnership in Prayer
- [02:18] - The Spirit's Help in Our Weakness
- [03:12] - The Need for the Spirit's Guidance
- [04:21] - How the Spirit Uses Scripture
- [05:33] - Four Parts of Prayer
- [06:08] - Worship Through Scripture
- [07:58] - Confession and Illumination
- [09:42] - Identifying Hidden Sins
- [12:18] - Cleansing and Strengthening
- [13:54] - Thanksgiving with the Spirit's Help
- [16:20] - Intercession and Fresh Prayers
- [18:55] - Practical Steps for Praying in the Spirit
- [19:51] - Conclusion and Next Session Preview

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Praying in the Spirit

Bible Reading:
1. Jude 1:20-21 - "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."
2. Romans 8:26 - "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."
3. Ephesians 6:17-18 - "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication."

Observation Questions:
1. According to Jude, what are believers encouraged to do in their most holy faith? How does this relate to praying in the Spirit? [00:44]
2. In Romans 8:26, what role does the Holy Spirit play in our prayer life, especially when we are unsure of what to pray for? [02:18]
3. How does Ephesians 6:17-18 connect the Word of God with praying in the Spirit? What does this suggest about the relationship between scripture and prayer? [04:39]
4. What are the four parts of prayer mentioned in the sermon, and how can scripture be used in each part? [05:33]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of a "divine partnership" in prayer, involving the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, change the way one might approach prayer? [01:41]
2. What might it mean for the Holy Spirit to "breathe new life" into our prayers through scripture? How can this impact one's daily spiritual practice? [05:17]
3. In what ways can the Bible act as a "light" to reveal hidden sins during confession, and why is this important for spiritual growth? [09:07]
4. How can the Spirit's guidance in thanksgiving and intercession make our prayers more meaningful and heartfelt? [14:09]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent prayer experience. How aware were you of the Holy Spirit's presence and assistance during that time? How might this awareness change your future prayers? [01:22]
2. Consider a situation where you were unsure of what to pray for. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers in such moments? [03:28]
3. Identify a scripture passage that has recently spoken to you. How can you incorporate it into your worship or confession this week? [06:08]
4. Think of a person you regularly pray for. How can you use scripture to keep your prayers for them fresh and relevant? [18:05]
5. What are some hidden sins that scripture has revealed to you recently? How can you use this awareness to seek forgiveness and grow in holiness? [09:42]
6. How can you cultivate a habit of thanksgiving, even in challenging times, by using scripture as a guide? [14:09]
7. Choose one aspect of your prayer life (worship, confession, thanksgiving, or intercession) to focus on this week. What specific steps will you take to integrate scripture more deeply into this area? [05:33]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Partnership in Prayer
Prayer is a collaborative effort involving the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit aids us in our weaknesses, ensuring that we are never alone in our prayers. This divine partnership enriches our prayer life, making it a powerful means of communication with God. The Spirit intercedes for us, helping us articulate the deepest desires and needs of our hearts, even when we are unsure of what to pray for. This partnership assures us that our prayers are heard and that God is actively engaged in our spiritual journey. [01:41]

"But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life." (Jude 1:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: How can you become more aware of the Holy Spirit's presence and assistance in your prayer life today?


Day 2: Scripture as a Guide
The Holy Spirit uses scripture to shape and direct our prayers, aligning them with God's will. By allowing our prayers to be informed by the Word, we can keep them fresh and vibrant, discovering new insights each day. Scripture serves as a foundation, providing clarity and direction, ensuring that our prayers are not just expressions of personal desires but are aligned with God's heart and purposes. This practice not only enriches our personal spiritual journey but also equips us to support and uplift others through prayer. [04:21]

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: What specific scripture can you incorporate into your prayers today to align them more closely with God's will?


Day 3: Worship Through the Word
Scripture fuels our worship by reminding us of God's attributes and deeds. As we meditate on the Word, we find new reasons to adore and praise God, deepening our relationship with Him. Worship becomes a transformative experience as we engage with the truths of scripture, allowing them to shape our understanding and expression of adoration. This practice not only enriches our worship but also strengthens our faith as we continually discover the depth of God's character and love. [06:08]

"Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand." (Psalm 95:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use a specific passage of scripture to deepen your worship and adoration of God today?


Day 4: Confession and Illumination
The Bible acts as a light, revealing hidden sins in our hearts. By confessing these sins, we receive forgiveness and cleansing, allowing us to grow in holiness and align our lives with God's standards. This process of confession and illumination is vital for spiritual growth, as it helps us identify areas in need of transformation and invites God's grace into our lives. Through scripture, we gain insight into God's standards and are encouraged to pursue a life of holiness and integrity. [09:07]

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: What hidden sin is the Holy Spirit revealing to you today, and how can you bring it before God in confession?


Day 5: Thanksgiving and Intercession
The Spirit guides us in giving thanks and interceding for others. By using scripture, we find reasons to be grateful and ways to pray meaningfully for those we love, ensuring our prayers remain relevant and heartfelt. Thanksgiving becomes a powerful expression of faith as we recognize God's goodness in all circumstances, while intercession allows us to partner with God in bringing about His purposes in the lives of others. This practice enriches our prayer life and strengthens our relationships with God and others. [14:09]

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." (1 Timothy 2:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone you can intercede for today, and what scripture can guide your prayers for them?

Quotes


Prayer, you see, is a partnership involving the Father to whom we speak, the Son in whose name we come, and the Spirit who helps us in our stumbling efforts to pray. Every time you pray, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are actively engaged. God the Father is listening to you, God the Son is interceding for you, and God the Holy Spirit is helping you. You never pray on your own. [00:01:41]

The Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know what we ought to pray for. God calls you to pray; you never pray alone. God has given you the Holy Spirit to help you. Now think about that word help. You know, Luke tells us that Jesus and his disciples went on one occasion to the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. [00:02:18]

How does the Holy Spirit help us when we pray? Well, there are many answers to that question, but today I want you to see how the Holy Spirit uses the scriptures to form and to direct our prayers. Paul says in Ephesians 6 that we are to take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit. [00:04:21]

When you pray, you are drawing near to Almighty God, and when you draw near to God, you worship. The first thing in prayer is to remember who you're approaching. I'm speaking to Almighty God, and as you come near to him, you can use what you've read in the Bible to help you worship. [00:06:08]

The Bible's like a flashlight shining into the dark corners of your soul, and when you read the Bible, you'll see things that you didn't see before. And again, the beauty of asking the Holy Spirit to shine the light of the word he's inspired into the dark corners of your life is that every time you read the Bible, there will be some new shaft of light shining into your soul. [00:09:07]

Paul says in Philippians in chapter 4, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Now, sometimes, of course, we don't feel like giving thanks. If you're coming to God with a really heavy burden, if you feel that the weight of the world just seems to be pressing in on you, well, you're going to need the help of the Holy Spirit in order to pray with Thanksgiving. [00:14:09]

Think about someone you really love and care about, someone you would want to pray for every day. How are you going to keep your prayers for that person fresh if you pray for them every day for 50 years? Lord bless him, Lord bless him again, Lord bless him real good today. Well, that's going to get old very fast. You're not going to be able to sustain that meaningfully for 50 years. [00:16:20]

If you allow the Holy Spirit to prompt what you should pray through what you read in the Bible, you will always have something fresh to pray for the people you love and the people you lead. So again, let's take our example from 2 Thessalonians 3:5: May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. [00:18:55]

The best advice that I ever received about prayer was always pray with an Open Bible. So find a time when you can sit down with your Bible so that you can feed on Christ through the word. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. I often use the prayer in Psalm 119 and verse 18: Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. [00:19:51]

Then read a few verses of scripture, find a verse or a truth in the passage that you read, and just camp on it for a while. Apply it to your own life and then turn it into prayer: worship, confession, Thanksgiving, and intercession. [00:20:03]

In the first three sessions, we've looked at growing in godliness, feeding on Christ through the word, and praying in the Spirit. Next time, we're going to look at battling temptation. We're going to look at how you can make progress in your fight against sins and temptations that may often have defeated you in the past. [00:19:51]

So I hope you'll join me for session four of Watch Your Life. [00:20:03]

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Transcript
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