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Welcome to season 2 of the Determined to Dance podcast. I pray that you’ll be uplifted, encouraged, and will move forward each and every day. Today’s episode, Praying in the Spirit, focuses on prayer and the Holy Spirit.
Show Notes: Praying in the Spirit
After thirty-seven episodes of prayer, you have probably figured out that I love to pray. To talk to God about anything and everything. He is truly the only one who totally “gets” me: my quirks, my weirdness, my pain, my joy. I don’t know how I would get through one day without talking to my Father.
I found through my study that the term “Praying in the Spirit” means a lot of different things to different people. Especially among various denominations. In Ephesians 6:18, Paul says: “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” NLT
Jacob Gregory said, “No human can pray without divine help.” I agree that we can do nothing in and of ourselves. We need God every second of every day. Praying in the Spirit is basically God enabling us to pray through His Spirit. I found three ways to pray in the Word:
- In your native language.
- In a spiritual language.
- In groanings too deep to utter.
Here are scriptures I found to support this:
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” Romans 12: 10-13 NKJV
“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.” I Corinthians 14:15 NLT
“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.” Romans 8:26 NKJV
“Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.” I Corinthians 14: 39-40 NKJV
My times in prayer are deeply personal and uplifting to me. I want to be as close to God as possible while on this earth and look forward to an eternity spent with Him. I don’t understand life as much as I would like to but I know God loves me and is even pleased with me. Years ago, I thought of God more as a judge than a Father. I know now that He is both and his judgment is tempered with mercy.
I really can’t wait until the day when we will really know Him:
“For now, we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” I Corinthians 13:12 NKJV
I’ll leave you with this thought. When comparing prayer in one’s native language or a prayer language, Jack Hayford says, “Each form of prayer is at a different dimension, and neither should be described as “less than.” How can the Grand Canyon and the Swiss Alps be compared? It’s impossible and unnecessary to do so. Rather, be it languages we employ or creation we behold, let us all be humbled before all manifestations of His Majesty’s glory. Let us rise together to praise the Creator of all prayer as readily as we worship the Creator of all things. To do so is to be open to experiencing the enjoyment and the blessing available in exploring the dimensions to which each realm invites us.” From The Beauty of Spiritual Language.
Let’s pray: Father God, we thank You for the Holy Spirit and the gifts He bestows on Your children. We love talking and singing to You in all ways and forms. You are good and love each of us as individuals, and that is amazing. We are never a number but are chosen, accepted, and deeply loved. You are awesome beyond words. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.
If you’d like to dig deeper into this topic, I suggest studying the scriptures and books that I’ll list in the show notes.
- Acts 2
- Acts 4
- I Corinthians 14
- The Beauty of Spiritual Language by Jack Hayford.
- Lead Me, Holy Spirit by Stormie Omartian
- Filled With The Spirit by Joyce Meyer
- Praying in the Spirit: What is it and why is it important? (article)
The most important thought today is to ask the Holy Spirit to help you pray, pray, pray.
Today’s featured author is Jennifer Hallmark, the author of Jessie’s Hope, a southern family novel. Years ago, an accident robbed Jessie Smith’s mobility. It also stole her mom and alienated her from her father. When Jessie’s high school sweetheart Matt Jansen proposes, she worries that she cannot hold on to those she loves.
Determined to heal from her past, Jessie initiates a search for her father. Can a sliver of hope lead to everlasting love when obstacles–including a spurned woman and unpredictable weather–hijack Jessie’s dream wedding?
Learn more at jenniferhallmark.com/books
Next week, we’ll begin to wrap up this season of prayer. Until then, stay determined to dance…
Links:
My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope
Remember: Praying in the Spirit
Video of the week:
I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.
