Holy Spirit Interactive: Discover the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit in Worship and Prayer

Memory Passage
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:26-27
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:16-18
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Scripture Reading: Jude 1:20
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

Insights
"Paul stresses praying 'in the Spirit' at the end of the spiritual warfare passage (Eph. 6:18). This refers to the Holy Spirit's work of guiding and directing us to pray for specific things. Paul calls us to cultivate a sensitivity to what the Spirit may be prompting us to pray for and then how we should pray about it. Prayer is more that just vocalizing a list of needs to God. Prayer involves asking God how we should pray and then acting on the promptings and impressions the Spirit places on our minds." -Clinton Arnold, Crucial Questions About Spiritual Warfare

"The Holy Spirit is more likely to come in power where the truth about Jesus is being lifted up and made plain. The Spirit loves to come and take the truth about Jesus and turn it into an experience of Jesus. Peter painted such a picture of Jesus that the Spirit saw a very attractive opportunity to come and glorify the Son of God--which is what he is appointed to do. That is his mission. That's the essence of his ministry. So he is very likely to come in power when Jesus is lifted up in truth and made the center of our focus. So if you want the Spirit's power in your life, I encourage you to make Jesus the center of your life." -John Piper, "Exalting Jesus so the Spirit Falls"

Consider this! As you consider "praying in the Spirit", specifically focus your prayer time on exalting Jesus. Focus on Jesus as Peter did in his sermon after Pentecost. Pray that the Spirit will clothe you with power and with a perspective that Jesus is the central person in your life. Pray concerns that you think are the concerns of Jesus. Adore Jesus for who you know Him to be. And experience the Holy Spirit working in you as you do this.

Personal Reflection

1. Consider taking a 20 minute Prayer Walk - with no planned agenda other than to listen for the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Then pray exactly and only what He puts on your heart. Ask Him to lead you, and then - by all means: follow!