THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US PRAY

Title: THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US PRAY

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Romans 8:26-27
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God."

Supporting Texts:
John 14:26
Ephesians 6:18
Jude 1:20
1 Corinthians 2:10-11
Galatians 4:6

INTRODUCTION:
Prayer is one of the greatest gifts and responsibilities of a believer’s life, yet we often find ourselves unsure of what or how to pray. In times of weakness, confusion, or despair, the Holy Spirit becomes our Helper, guiding and empowering us in prayer. Through the Spirit’s assistance, our prayers align with God’s will and purpose, bringing transformation, clarity, and power into our lives. Let’s explore how the Holy Spirit assists us in prayer and why His help is vital.

1. THE HOLY SPIRIT INTERCEDES ON OUR BEHALF
The Holy Spirit actively prays for us, especially when we lack the words or understanding to pray effectively.

a) Our Weakness in Prayer:
Human understanding is limited, and we often don’t know what we should pray for. The Spirit compensates for our weaknesses (Romans 8:26).

b) Praying According to God's Will:
The Spirit knows the will of God and aligns our prayers with it, ensuring they are effective (1 John 5:14-15).

c) Intercession Beyond Words:
The Holy Spirit’s intercession sometimes transcends human language, as He expresses the deepest desires of our hearts to God (Romans 8:26-27).

d) Assurance of Answered Prayers:
Since the Spirit intercedes in alignment with God’s will, our prayers through Him are assured of responses (1 Corinthians 2:10).

Biblical Example: Jesus promised the Helper would come to guide and support believers, especially in prayer (John 14:16-17).

2. THE HOLY SPIRIT ENLIGHTENS OUR MINDS IN PRAYER
The Holy Spirit grants us insight, revelation, and understanding as we pray, making our prayers meaningful and inspired.

a) Reveals the Mind of God:
The Spirit communicates the thoughts of God, helping us pray with clarity and purpose (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).

b) Helps Us Discern God's Will:
The Spirit provides wisdom and direction, revealing God’s specific will for our lives in prayer (James 1:5).

c) Deepens Our Understanding of Scripture:
As we pray with the Spirit’s guidance, we gain insight into God’s Word, which shapes our prayers (John 16:13).

d) Opens Our Hearts to God’s Desires:
The Spirit aligns our desires with God’s, refining our prayers to reflect His priorities (Psalm 37:4).

Biblical Example: Paul’s prayer life was empowered by the Spirit’s revelation and understanding, giving him boldness and clarity (Ephesians 3:14-21).

3. THE HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERS US TO PRAY WITH BOLDNESS AND FAITH
Through the Holy Spirit, we gain courage, strength, and faith to approach God confidently.

a) Gives Boldness in Prayer:
The Spirit removes fear, helping us approach God’s throne with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).

b) Inspires Faith to Pray Big Prayers:
The Spirit encourages us to pray bold, faith-filled prayers that stretch beyond human limitations (Ephesians 3:20).

c) Helps Us Persevere in Prayer:
Even when answers seem delayed, the Spirit sustains us in continuous prayer (Luke 18:1).

d) Fuels a Spirit of Worship and Thanksgiving:
Spirit-filled prayers overflow with praise and thanksgiving, regardless of circumstances (Ephesians 5:20).

Biblical Example: After receiving the Holy Spirit, the early church prayed with power and boldness, leading to miraculous breakthroughs (Acts 4:31).

4. THE HOLY SPIRIT TEACHES US HOW TO PRAY EFFECTIVELY
The Spirit is our teacher, instructing us on the ways of effective and purposeful prayer.

a) Guides Us in Praying God’s Promises:
The Spirit reminds us of God’s promises, encouraging us to pray with assurance (John 14:26).

b) Models Jesus’ Prayer Life in Us:
The Spirit enables us to pray as Jesus did, modelling intimacy and devotion (Luke 11:1).

c) Develops a Persistent Prayer Life:
He instills a heart of persistence, helping us pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

d) Awakens Our Heart for Intercession:
The Spirit stirs compassion, leading us to intercede for others with genuine love (1 Timothy 2:1).

Biblical Example: Jesus taught His disciples to pray and promised the Spirit would help them maintain a life of prayer (Luke 11:1-4).

5. THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US PRAY WITH SPIRITUAL LANGUAGE
The Spirit sometimes enables believers to pray in a heavenly language or spiritual tongues, which brings unique benefits to our prayer life.

a) Praying in the Spirit:
Praying in the Spirit allows us to communicate beyond our understanding, strengthening our spirit (1 Corinthians 14:2).

b) Builds Us Up Spiritually:
Praying in tongues edifies and strengthens our inner person, especially in times of weakness (Jude 1:20).

c) Brings Rest and Refreshing:
Praying in the Spirit brings peace and refreshment to our souls (Isaiah 28:11-12).

d) Aligns Us with God’s Will Perfectly:
The Spirit’s language ensures we pray in perfect harmony with God’s desires (Romans 8:27).

Biblical Example: The apostles and early believers prayed in tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance, empowering their witness (Acts 2:4).

CONCLUSION:
The Holy Spirit is our divine Helper, interceding, guiding, and empowering our prayer life. Through Him, we gain insight, boldness, and strength to pray effectively. As we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in prayer, our relationship with God deepens, and we begin to experience greater alignment with His will and purpose. May we continually rely on the Holy Spirit’s help in every aspect of our prayer life, letting His presence fill our hearts and guide our words.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, fill me with Your Spirit to help me pray according to Your will.

2. Holy Spirit, empower me to pray with boldness and faith.

3. Father, grant me revelation and understanding in prayer.

4. Lord, stir my heart to intercede for others with compassion.

5. Holy Spirit, help me to overcome weakness in my prayer life.

6. Father, teach me to pray Your promises with assurance.

7. Holy Spirit, guide me in spiritual language to connect with You deeply.

8. Lord, remove every distraction that hinders my prayer life.

9. Holy Spirit, strengthen my faith to pray without ceasing.

10. Lord, may my prayers be powerful and effective in Your sight.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. I declare that the Holy Spirit will strengthen and guide your prayer life.

2. You will pray with power, boldness, and effectiveness.

3. The Spirit will intercede through you, bringing breakthroughs in your life.

4. I declare your prayers will align with God’s perfect will.

5. May God grant you wisdom and revelation through the Spirit in prayer.

6. You will experience spiritual growth and empowerment in your prayer life.

7. I declare that your prayer life will be fruitful and full of God’s presence.

8. The Holy Spirit will fill you with compassion to intercede for others.

9. You will overcome every weakness in your prayer life by the Spirit’s power.

10. May your prayers bring forth divine answers and manifest God’s glory.