PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT: DYNAMIC

Did we not learn as children to sing, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so; Little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong”? Yes, we are weak—but He is strong. God’s Spirit within not only gives as a passion for prayer, but gives power in prayer. Consider these words from the pen of Paul, “Likewise the Spirit also helps our weaknesses.” (Romans 8:26a).

Philippians 2:13 speaks to this, “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” He doesn’t just produce the desire “to will” but the dynamic “to do.” My very praying is an acknowledgment of my weakness. I depend on God for everything.

Jesus taught us this truth in the Model Prayer. He said we depend totally on God for daily bread, “give us this day our daily bread”—I wouldn’t have a crust or even a crumb without His provision. We depend on Him for debts forgiven, “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”—I cannot remove the stain of sin apart from His mercy. Likewise, I rely on the Lord for direction given, “lead us not into temptation”—I will make disastrous decisions if left to my own devices. We must lean on God for deliverance granted, “deliver us from evil”—I can’t beat the Devil, but God can. To sum up the message in that: He provides everything in every dimension of life.

The only other time the Greek word rendered “help” in this verse is used in the New Testament is the scene where Jesus is at the home of Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, in Bethany. Martha is working herself into a lather in the kitchen, trying to prepare a meal for Christ and His sizable entourage. Wiping her hands on her apron, she sees her sister Mary, just sitting and listening to Jesus and she asks for “help” from her sister. It’s the same word. She wanted little sis to get up and come beside her and assist her.

Jesus called the Holy Spirit, the “Comforter”—the Paraclete—literally one called alongside to help. So, when we pray—feeble, frail mortals that we are—the Almighty Spirit comes and stands beside us, to strengthen our supplications. How thankful we should be!