In order to communicate with God, we need the help of the Holy Spirit. We will not be able to enter the courts of heaven without His guaranteed stamp on us. Reason many prayers are not answered. Our prayers should be in agreement with that of the Holy Spirit. Paul describes how He intercedes for us: He comes to our aid and bears up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance. And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit because the {Holy] Spirit intercedes and pleads in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God’s will. (Rom. 8:26-27). “For we do not know what prayer to offer, nor how to offer it worthily.” Even after the going through the new birth, the believer is incapable to pray worthily without the help of the Holy Spirit, because only He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit, for He intercedes before God according to and in harmony with God’s will (Rom. 8:27).
The Bible tells us in James’ letter that the earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of the righteous man makes tremendous power available (James 5:16b). The prayer that is earnest is the prayer with power. It is the prayer that causes the Holy Spirit to intercede “with unspeakable yearnings and groaning too deep for utterance.” That’s the prayer that calls the Holy Spirit’s attention to join in and take it to God, who searches the hearts of men. God and the Holy Spirit are one and when the Holy Spirit intercedes for us it is in harmony with the will of God. When we pray, our prayers should be in harmony with the Holy Spirit’s, and not according to our own will. It should be in continuous faith, believing that God answers prayers that are for our own good. Praying in harmony with the Holy Spirit’s desire is a prayer that goes up to the courts of heaven. Paul writes to the Philippians counseling them not to fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God (Phil. 4:6). This model of prayer is welcome in heaven. Presenting our needs with thanksgiving, believing in God to perform His will.
“Pray at all times in the Spirit with all manner of prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints” (Eph. 6:18). Without praying in the Spirit, which means praying in tongues our prayer is not according to Paul’s instruction. I Cor. 14: 14 says: “For I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful”.
So, what does Paul mean when he says to “pray at all times in the Spirit” if not in tongues? When we pray in the Spirit, we are praying with Him, agreeing with Him. It is a life-style of walking with Him every day, every hour, every moment of our life. Paul reiterated that those who are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit; and all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God; the Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit [assuring us] that we are children of God (Rom. 8:5b,14,16). In this relationship, it is normal that we pray agreeing with the Holy Spirit’s desires, which is God’s desires for us.
The prayer that the Lord taught the disciples serves well as a model for us to follow. The prayer must be directed to the Father; with praise and adoration; desiring the will of God to be implemented in our life; praying the need for each day to be met; praying forgiveness as we forgive others. (Matt. 6:9-12). When we pray, the Holy Spirit comes in our aid interceding for us to the Father, “for we do not know what to pray.” Heaven must be always busy with all the prayers going up to God and the Holy Spirit pleading in our behalf with “unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.” When YAHSHUA left this earth, He knew our need to communicate with Him through prayers; He knew the trials we were going to face in our life-time; the need for us to walk according to the Holy Spirit, in order not to fall into temptations. Salvation was the first step through the new birth, but the spiritual life does not end there. The next step which is sanctification through the molding to be like YAHSHUA, is what will lead us to glorification. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, Whom YAHSHUA gave to live in each one of us. He is the gift that keeps on giving until we are no more. Any blasphemy against Him will lead the person to eternal condemnation. YAHSHUA warned the Jewish leaders of His day saying, “Whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world, nor in that is to come” (Matt. 12:32b). This warning was given to them when they accused Him of healing under the power of Satan.
Our Guide, our Counselor, our Teacher, our Intercessor, The Holy Spirit is our true and best friend; He is second to none. Paul warned us not to quench (suppress or subdue) the (Holy) Spirit (I Thess.5:19). We are guilty of that, reason why the churches are dead; we have no power, although it was given to us; powerless, we continue going to church filled with sick people Sunday after Sunday, because we have suppressed the work of the Holy Spirit. Our prayers are not heard nor answered; our spiritual life is barely alive. A revival is needed to start in us personally. Acknowledging sins and confessing them for us to be clean and spiritually ready to receive the revival. We are living in the time the Lord mentioned: When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth? (Luke 18:8). Where do you stand with Him, my friend?
Light from the Word 