Praying in the Spirit

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

16Rejoice evermore. 17Pray without ceasing. 18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19Quench not the Spirit.

Colossians 4:2

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

What wonderful habits to get into. Practicing these two examples of prayer and thanksgiving till they become as natural as breathing, will open up the "experience" of "praying in the Spirit" a new level of prayer for most. 

Most people only ever get as far as "praying" a list, a carnal type of participation that was ingrained in us by whomever was responsible for our "religious" upbringing. That usually doesn't change unless we become "students" of Scripture coming across verses like the above and being challenged by posts like these. 

Rejoicing ever more, praying without ceasing, in everything giving thanks, and quenching not the Spirit, is being obedient to God's will in Christ Jesus as it concerns us elevating and deepening our "spiritual awareness" to new heights. We will actually begin to "pray through", have satisfaction in prayer, grow our faith because we "receive" answers to our prayers, and become confident that "Emmanuel, God with us", really is. To say the least that entering into prayer with rejoicing, thanksgiving, and praise is the fastest way to "get into the Holy Spirit" letting Him "pray through you" with groans and utterances that one cannot know. That's the most powerful type of prayer there is. All prayer is effective and necessary but praying in the Spirit is most humbling, edifying, faith building, and powerful application that can be made. Not only that but it also encourages one to "pray" more so as to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit "coming along side" to participate with you.

And yes here is where I add my latest experience of both "entering in" and "participation" with "praying in the Spirit." 

It can happen anywhere and anytime as this "sharing" will attest too.

Most of my deep prayer experiences usually happen between 4 am and 7 am and sometimes will also include new revelation in Scripture: an explanation, or application that I have not known before.

But, this time it took place while Elise and I were watching tv and I felt the Holy Spirit beckoning me into His presence and prayer.

Starting out with praise then moving quickly into thanksgiving with rejoicing, I was drawn into prayer for my wife Elise. My eyes were open but I lost cognizance of the tv and started "praying" with my mind as God gave the words, repeating them quietly, Elise not knowing. Soon, as the Apostle Paul states, "pray with your mind and also with your spirit" this transformation started to take over "mind to spirit". Words began to flow without thought or effort and my heart broke for the privileged of being allowed to participate in such a "sacred oneness" with the Holy Spirit. I was most aware of His leading and "joined" my heart and spirit to His, noting all that was said deep in my heart. I experience, at one time, both prayer, praise, thanksgiving, rejoicing and worship, again all at once, simultaneously. It was a perfect mixture of "participating" with Him, His Spirit, just as I can imagine that it would be like in heaven. In that prayer moment, (I don't know how long it lasted but for sure many minutes), I could see His hand in the "continuance" of my wife, how God has used her to glorify His name, how many people were (and will be) effected by her testimony, not counting the impact this has had on our children, their spouses, and grandchildren, friends and relatives. It was (in the form of a vision/premonition) like trying to take a drink from a tidal wave, to capture it all. Although it consisted only of words given and prayed it also was in form like a canvas coming to life with those words to form a visual presentation. I could not help but to silently weep humbled by the presence of God and His Unconditional Love for not only Elise and I but also for all of mankind from Adam and Eve till "Kingdom come". How that He, the God of all creation, would fulfill His promise to be "Emanuel, God with us" including me, a broke down bricklayer who has nothing more to offer than humbly to serve Him at His behest.

As I have stated before: "this is only a beginners participation" in Christianity. Our faith should be a continuing "experience" in the communing with God our Father. Man with his Creator. As Father and son. Always growing daily in intimacy and familiarity with Him on earth till we are reunited with Him in heaven. 

I exhort you all who read this put this to a challenge. Take time to spend with Him quietly, waiting on Him to move in your heart and reveal His presence to you. 

Invite Him to be your "Emanuel", God with you.

I hope you have been encouraged. I have.

Love in Christ

J&E in Tn

Concerning Babes in the faith.

Ephesians 4:14-16 King James Version (KJV)

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the Truth in Love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in Love.

Close observation in the reading of these Scriptures will bring to light the Biblical witness of "two or more" to confirm that it's God's direction. His Word is True in any rendering but when it brings the same thing up twice it's worth special note and observance.

Verse 14 starts out with "That we henceforth be no more children", a direct warning to "GROW UP", or what follows "will" take place! We "will" be "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine", ect. Mark this statement as a "strong" warning, grow up or be open to deception. it doesn't tie lack of study to avoid this, it doesn't tie lack of reading to avoid this, it doesn't tie lack of memorization to avoid this, it ties "lack of maturity", being a babe too long, failing to "mature" in Christ, as being the "open door" to cunning craftiness and deception.

Verse 15 says: "But speaking the Truth in Love, may grow up into Him in all things."

No explanation needed here as the rendering is self explanatory but do note "grow up into Him in all things" means just that, in ALL things! Not just what we care to accept or deem valid for this time. Jesus stated that He (the Word) is our food and drink that needs to be partaken in for eternal life. It is a complete meal lacking nothing and nothing to be left out just because we don't care for it.

Paul warns us about being "babes" to long:

1 Corinthians 3:1-2 King James Version (KJV)

1. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as to carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

Paul has to speak to the Corinthians as carnal not "spiritual" even like babes in Christ because they have not matured enough in the "faith" to ingest "meat". What are the criteria for this judgement?

3 For you are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

These are the signs of being a babe too long. Scripture cannot lie, if these exist in your personal life or in the church then you are malnourished babes needing an influx of "meat" from the Word. It's presented in Scripture that we are to have the faith like little children. That comes by hearing and that by the Word of God. Little children believe what they hear then want the next "hearing" (step) so they can grow, so it is no different then believers. If a child doesn't receive continued instruction they become bored, mischievous, doing and acting out what is not acceptable, so it is with the Christian. So for the Christian who stops the "maturing" process? Your church? Your denomination? Your pastor? Your Bible studies? Only to a degree is your nurturing a "village" effort as we are part of one body, many members. But mostly "YOU" decide from whence your table is set from. It is your responsibility to make sure that you are in a fellowship that is preaching "Truth that sets free" by witness of the Holy Scriptures that "YOU" have read! All Scripture is "spirit" and must be concurred by the Mind of Christ the Holy Spirit, and "MUST" have a "witness" in your spirit by the Holy Spirit to prove it's authenticity of rendering. So as you are "growing" in Christ, through becoming spiritually familiar with the written Word, your place of community will be preaching and teaching the witness of one or two proving the Word and directing "sound" growth in the faith. Again it is you who must "start" this "unveiling" of the Word, first between you and God by instruction through the Holy Spirit, then getting witness from your local church through participation in preaching and teaching.

It is a madness and a supreme wickedness when the "body" that is nourishing up a babe starves it from the rich nutrients of the "entire" Word. Denominational doctrine that "adds to or takes from" the Word of God for any reason, encourages special wrath presented in His Word. Whether vain or wild surmising on the part of the "local master" (teacher/preacher) that alters any simple forward projection of the Holy Word, for any "good" reason is still at best diabolical and damnable. If we "eat of the body and drink of the blood of Christ (His Word) asking the Holy Spirit to counsel us in it's spiritual meaning, He will be faithful to do so and we can be assured of our spiritual growth by His Divine Hand. 

We are living in a time of spiritual trouble, doubt, derision, doctrines of man, elimination of Scriptures, and fellowship divisions. Truly we are experiencing a time of "if a house be divided it cannot stand." As Jesus said: "you strain at a gnat and swallow a camel." If all Scripture is not True and valid for application today then none of it is True and valid for today! If one Word of God has been eliminated by passing time then none can be trusted to be enduring "until the end." To preach the Word of God but not bring it forth to application (being doers of the Word not just hearers), is the same as to not preach it at all. We must show our faith by our works. 

Those who are "babes" in Christ start desiring the "meat" of the Word so you can "grow" in Christ and faith. Avoid the pitfalls that come with being "content and lazy" by "prayer" and "engrafting" the Word. Those things you don't understand either "wait upon the Lord" or ask some mature trusted mentor. Keep your desires "in His time". There is a time for everything in His creation that includes knowledge and wisdom. Read His Word out loud as faith comes by hearing, and that of the Word of God. Seek God diligently, for those that do so shall receive His reward. 

Ultimately you are responsible for the "fare" on your table. You are what you eat. En-graft the Living Word, grow in Christ, walk by faith, Love one another fervently!

Love

J&E