18 February 2024 AM – Text: Jude 1:20-21 – Topic: Prayer
Introduction: Read Jude 1:20-21. Many Charismatic churches seem to overemphasise the Holy Spirit. In contrast, most Independent Baptist churches underemphasize the Holy Spirit. He is rarely mentioned other than in doctrinal lessons. Perhaps that is the reason I was attracted to the phrase “praying in the Holy Ghost” as I read the book of Jude several weeks ago. It has been on my mind a lot since then. I asked myself, “What does it mean to pray in the Holy Spirit?” I also asked, “Do I obey this scripture and pray in the Holy Spirit?”
Transition: Praying in the Holy Spirit is a topic on which I have heard very little preaching. However, in our text this morning, Jude places it second in a list of three spiritual duties that will help to keep us in the love of God. So, what does it mean to pray in the Holy Spirit, and how are we to do this? Let’s take a look at this.
To pray in the Holy Spirit …
1. We must live in harmony with Him.
a. I want us to first examine the word “in”.
1) This word is found over 2,000 times in the N.T. It is most often translated “in”, but is also translated “by”, or “with”, etc.
2) Thus, it may mean to pray in harmony with the Spirit, or by his direction, or with his aid, or a combination of all three. A closeness and harmony with the Holy Spirit is necessary to do this. This cannot be done if we have unconfessed sin in or lives.
b. To pray in, by, or with the Holy Spirit, we must be…
1) Filled or allow ourselves to be controlled by Him. (Ephesians 5:18) “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” (I.e., submission).
2) Clean to be close to Him. He is God. (1 John 1:6-7) “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (I.e., nothing between my soul and him).
3) Living in obedience to Him. (Romans 12:1) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.“
4) Walking in fellowship with Him. (Galatians 5:25) “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.“
To pray in the Holy Spirit …
2. We must pray as God directs in His Word.
a. The Holy Spirit would not lead us contrary to the Bible.
1) He wants us to pray continually (Jude 1:20). The word “praying” is a present tense verb of continuing action. Just as the Christians are to continue building up themselves spiritually, so they must continue praying in the Holy Spirit – in His harmony, by His direction, and with His aid. Day by day, we are to be praying in the Holy Spirit.
2) He wants our prayers to continue steadfastly. (Romans 12:12) “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” We must pray faithfully, during sunshine or rain, during hardships or pain. By day and by night, we are to be praying in the Holy Spirit.
3) He wants us to pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) “Pray without ceasing.” In other words, incessantly or without intermission. This cannot mean “non-stop”, for Jesus did not pray every moment of every day. However, if we are living in harmony with God as we just noted, we will always be able to talk with God at any moment.
4) He wants us to pray according to God’s will. (1 John 5:14-15) “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” The Holy Spirit authored these words. He wants our prayers to be God’s will.
5) As part of our spiritual armour, the Lord tells us to pray always, both to fellowship with God and to express our burdens and needs. (Ephesians 6:18) “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;“
b. When God tells us to pray in the Holy Spirit, it is praying in obedience to the Bible (Read James 4:1-5).
1) Selfish prayers are not praying in the Spirit.
2) Asking for something that God forbids is not praying in the Spirit.
3) Even living worldly lives will keep us from praying in the Spirit. The Spirit wants our dependence on Him.
To pray in the Holy Spirit …
3. We must depend on His help (Romans 8:26).
a. He promises to help our weaknesses.
1) God simply tells us to give our burdens to Him. (Philippians 4:6) “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (1 Peter 5:7) “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.“
2) However, many times, we do not know what to say or how to pray. This is a great infirmity or weakness.
3) I have often caught myself telling God how to fix a problem or how to correct a sinful person. That is so wrong. Who am I to tell our sovereign Creator how to resolve the situation? He knows exactly what to do. He knows the very best solution to my burden. In comparison, I know so very little.
4) Romans 8:26 promises us that one of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is to help you and me pray when we do not know what to say.
5) William Nicoll wisely said, “In order that we may pray, and pray aright, He [the Holy Spirit] must move our hearts and direct our petitions.” Expositors Bible
b. He will pray for us.
1) God promises you and me that when we do not know how to pray, that the Holy Spirit will make intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. He expresses our grief or sigh in words that no human could utter.
2) Praying in the Holy Spirit is depending on Him to aid us in prayer so that we pray aright.
3) If we let Him, the Holy Spirit will put our clumsy prayers in perfect form and present them to the Father in heaven. This will also prevent us from praying foolishly.
4) I believe that one aspect of praying in the Holy Spirit is simply crying out to Him and saying, “Holy Spirit, I do not know how to fix this problem. I do not know how to pray. Would you please express my burdened heart in the right words to the Father?”
Conclusion: From what we have learned, praying in the Holy Spirit is praying in harmony with Him, by His direction, and with His aid. If we are walking in harmony with Him, He will lead us as we pray, and pray for us when we know not what to pray.
If you have not been in the habit of depending on the Holy Spirit as you pray, I challenge you to begin doing so today. Include Him in your prayers. When you are praying about a burden, instead of giving God your opinion on how to fix the problem, talk to the Holy Spirit about it, and ask him to intercede for you in the right way.
Let’s seek to pray in the Holy Spirit in a balanced, Scriptural manner.
If you have not yet trusted Christ to save you from hell, you cannot pray in the Holy Spirit. You first need to repent and trust Christ. I urge you to do it right now.
