Praise and Glory to HIS Holy Name!

RCR Ministries Serving God Through Bible Studies
 
 

Pray in the Spirit                                                                                              Lesson 9

First a Review

 We have investigated how the Helmet of Salvation protects our minds from Satan’s half truths so that we do not deactivate our Shield of Faith. We also discussed how when properly used the word of God makes God’s resources and power available to us. So, ultimately, the sword is formed by the word of God. And we were reminded that we must continue to sow the word of God in our hearts, our minds, and accept that Jesus atoned for our sins and gained our eternal salvation. Finally, we ended our time together by discussing the importance of the Holy Spirit.

 

Pray in the Spirit

 

18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

 

Psalms 55:17

 17 Evening, morning and noon cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

 

Daniel 6:10

10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

 

So, God speaks through the word (Bible) we speak to God through prayer. Note that David and Daniel prayed 3 times a day.

 

Luke 18:1

 1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

 

Thought to Ponder:

Why should we not give up?

Prayer is the method in which we unleash the power we have in Christ through the Holy Spirit. For example, bullets are harmless without a delivery system. The Word (Bible) holds the power, Prayer is the delivery system. In other words prayer will put God’s will in motion in order that Biblical promises are realized.

 

 

Matthew 6:10

 10your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

 

Thought to Ponder:

When would we know God’s will and how would we put it into prayer?

If our request is based on Biblical principles and then we standing on scripture.

 

What happens if God’s will is uncertain or unclear?

Start by controlling your thoughts in prayer. Outward actions, like closing your eyes, bowing your head, secluding yourself during prayer will help you to focus; however, it is the inner connection with God that is important. (Development of a personal relationship with our Savior.)  Pray and talk to God throughout the day.

 

Prayer is an acknowledgement that we are not in control and need God to intervene. This attitude opens the door to communications with God who can direct and apply our prayers beyond our understanding.

 

Jude 20-21

 20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

 

We need to invite the Holy Spirit to work in a situation as God wills. The Holy Spirit’s role is to guide us and to plead on our behalf according to God’s will

 

Luke 12: 8-12

 8"I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. 9But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. 10And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11"When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."

 

The Holy Spirit is also a teacher.

 

Romans 8: 26-27

 26In 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 with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

 

Speaking in tongues

 

Paul wrote majority of Bible’s guidance on tongues.

 

1 Corinthians 14

Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues

 1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

 6Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. 13For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.

 18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21In the Law it is written: "Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me," says the Lord. 22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understandcomes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"

 26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. 29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, 34women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. 36Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. 38If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. 39Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

 

Examples of tongues in early church

 

Acts 2:1-13

 1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

 5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"  13Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."

 

Acts 10: 45-47 

45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47"Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have."

 

Acts 19: 5-7 Ephesians Christians filled with Spirit

5On hearing this, they were baptized into[a] the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[b] and prophesied. 7There were about twelve men in all.

 

Thought to Ponder:

Do you have to pray in tongues?

No, your salvation does not depend on it. God does not force gifts (1 Corinthians 13:1, 4-7) on anyone.

Prayer in the Spirit doesn’t require intelligible words just lifting situations to God and trusting Holy Spirit will intercede for us. You can pray with confidence that God will hear remember Jesus is our high priest, your intercessor. The key is to Pray with all kinds of prayer; public, private, secret, social, solitary, solemn, sudden. And with all parts of prayer; confession of sin, petition for mercy, thanksgiving for things received, and in accordance with his teaching. Must pray for all saints.

 

Always remember that while our enemies are mighty and we have no strength, our Redeemer is almighty and in the power of his might we become mighty.

 

Final Thoughts on the Whole Armor of God

 

Are we as Christians complacent? Should we be?

Can you equate a complacent Christian with a watchman who is asleep on the job?

 

Is the absence of conflict peace?

No, peace is living in the assurance that we are victorious through Jesus Christ.

 

13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

 

Fighting against Satan is not about conquering, it is about standing firm. Refusing to yield our mind, will, emotions to the enemy defiant resistance. We need to stand our ground and not let Satan wound us in his death throws. Remember, Jesus has already won the battle, we are already victorious.

 

Many people are saved and never fight because they don’t realize that once you are saved you are in a spiritual battle…

 

Are you in the fight?  Do you have your armor on?

.

About Us

RCR Ministries was born out of a sincere desire to help all who seek God to find Him. It is our hope that by providing you with sound interpretation of the scriptures along with the historical background that you will gain a foundation of God's word that will lead you to a un-shakable personal relationship with him. A realtionship where by you will experience a steadfast confidence  in His love, compassion, and grace.  Learn More

Our Goal

It is our desire to study the word of God by keeping it in context with all the teachings of the Bible. We strive to not add to or take away from God's Holy Word. Instead, we will ask you to move through the old and new testaments that weave the rich fabric that is the Word of God. We stand on His Holy Word which is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

The New International Version is used unless otherwise stated.

Before You Begin

Dear Heavenly Father,

Praise and glory to the one true Living God, the alpha and the omega. Holy, Holy, Holy is   your   name.   Thank   you Father, for your son Jesus Christ who redeemed us from our sins. And thank you for this day and everything you have brought to me. May my prayer rise to you as sweet incense from the alter. I ask that you guide me, Father, through your Word. Please open my heart and mind to recieve your word and please reveal your Holy Truth. Please dwell in me and help me to live each day of my life in keeping with your Word. In the Holy name of Jesus Christ, I pray and ask it. Amen.