We all know that prayer is essential, but knowing how God wants us to pray is equally significant. The how is so vital because when He reveals that, it puts us in direct alignment with His perfect will and order regarding the person, place, or situation we’re praying for. It's a glass slipper moment, if you will. Meaning our prayers will precisely fit the purpose for which God wants us to pray, and not just what we think or assume is the best way.
Sometimes, in our enthusiasm or when we're hurried, we can take off praying down our own course using our own thoughts and emotions. The problem with this is that our human wisdom and understanding don't always line up with the higher wisdom and understanding of God. And, if we aren't careful, we might end up praying soulish prayers instead of true Spirit-led prayers.
We must be intentional in our prayer life, and this means we need the counsel of God's Spirit to guide us. We must ask, listen, and then wait for direction from Holy Spirit regarding how to pray in any given matter, whether it’s for ourselves, our family, a friend, church, community, or nation, etc.
We must get our prayer directives from the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of truth (John 16:13), and then pray what He shows us to at any given time; nothing more and nothing less. I've learned it really is that important.
Sometimes, praying in our spiritual or heavenly language is the only way to accomplish what the Father wants. Said another way, it is often the how. The Scriptures refer to this as praying in the Spirit because only the Spirit of God [Holy Spirit] truly knows the will of God (Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 6:18).
Let me interject something.
When one of the disciples inquired of Jesus how to pray, we know He revealed, what we call, The Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 6:9-13), and clearly, this is an essential instruction from the Lord himself; I pray it often. However, when we are praying about specific matters, we require specific prayer instructions and strategies relevant to the need or circumstance. This is exactly what the Holy Spirit shows us, according to the Father's will, which is why we must seek Him.
We must get our prayer directives from the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of truth (John 16:13), and then pray what He shows us to at any given time; nothing more and nothing less. I've learned it really is that important.
Sometimes, praying in our spiritual or heavenly language is the only way to accomplish what the Father wants. Said another way, it is often the how. The Scriptures refer to this as praying in the Spirit because only the Spirit of God [Holy Spirit] truly knows the will of God (Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 6:18).
Let me interject something.
When one of the disciples inquired of Jesus how to pray, we know He revealed, what we call, The Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 6:9-13), and clearly, this is an essential instruction from the Lord himself; I pray it often. However, when we are praying about specific matters, we require specific prayer instructions and strategies relevant to the need or circumstance. This is exactly what the Holy Spirit shows us, according to the Father's will, which is why we must seek Him.
Our prayers will be most effective when we pray according to the will of the Father; this is where the how comes into play. Praying how He wants us to pray is to pray in accordance with His will. And when we pray the will of the Father, we are ultimately entering into agreement with Him and His purposes.
In short, the Holy Spirit will always define "the how" as we seek Him because knowing how to pray matters just as much as knowing when to.
Blessings.
Michelle
In short, the Holy Spirit will always define "the how" as we seek Him because knowing how to pray matters just as much as knowing when to.
Blessings.
Michelle
Michelle Holderman
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