Pray In The Spirit

The discipline of prayer is meant to change us, but not in some mere behavioral way. No, the transformation being offered to us is cosmic in nature! Ready?

Humanity has a problem, and by “humanity,” I mean you and me!

Ever since our parents in the Garden of Eden chose self-interest instead of communion with God, we have struggled with a “me-centered” attitude toward others.

One way this manifested itself in my life is the Christianity I was raised in. I was raised as a Pentecostal believer, and if you know anything about Pentecostalism, it is demonstrative and exciting!

And that’s the problem!

What I mean is that when I am focused on my emotions, feelings, and desires, even if it is the good desire to be close to God, that focus, starting with me, tends to keep me in the center of my mind. That leads to feeding my passions, even the good passions of wanting to be a good Christian, in an unhealthy way. It leads to intoxication rather than the sober maturity of deep communion with Jesus Christ.

This weakness in focus, attention, and motivation affects even the very necessary spiritual discipline of prayer. Prayer, even with the best of intentions, becomes “me-focused” rather than the effective medicine the discipline is intended to produce in me - to heal my broken ego and mend my wounded will.

Look at our lesson today in Ephesians 6:18-24:

Brethren, pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Now that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicos the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love undying. Amen.

St. Paul is in jail again, and he’s writing to his spiritual children in the churches he’s established in his missionary work.

As he closes his letter to the Ephesian Church, which is meant to be read by them and then passed on to the neighboring communities around them, he instructs them about the purpose and power of prayer.

He tells them to “pray at all times in the Spirit.”

A “me-centered” focus often reduces this command to “Do I feel the Spirit when I pray?” But that isn’t what is meant here. Your feelings, emotions, and good intentions and desires are not the focus. It’s just the opposite.

To pray “in the Spirit” is to pray with the same priorities, thoughts, and intentions as the Holy Spirit. I am meant to pray in harmony with God and His perspectives and eternal wisdom. That’s what it means to “pray in the Spirit.”

But to do that, I must confront my willingness to humble myself and hunger to know God, His purposes, and His perspective. I must diligently apply my strength, time, and priorities in learning Who God is and What He gives me in the wisdom of the Faith. It is only this God-focused prayer that is in the Spirit.

When you learn to pray in sync with the Holy Spirit, you will develop the strength to persevere, as St. Paul commands the Ephesians. You will be so “God-focused” in your prayer that praying for others will always precede praying selfishly.

Finally, Paul reveals to them the paramount purpose of praying in the Spirit: that boldness would be given to him to proclaim the “mystery of the Gospel.” It is in seeing God’s first priority as the healing of the wounds of people through their hearing and embracing the Faith that is the top priority in God’s economy.

St. Tabitha was a widow in the city of Joppa. The community loved her because of her skills and selfless service to the Faithful of the Infant Church. We read her story in Acts chapter 9. She became deathly ill, and the people sent a message to St. Peter to come quickly to pray for Tabitha. Before St. Peter arrived, Tabitha died. St. Peter went in to see her, prayed to Christ, and said, “Tabitha, get up.” She did and the community rejoiced. St. Peter prayed “in the Spirit” that fosters life, not death!

Today, are you always praying “in the Spirit?” Are you willing to become such a student of Jesus Christ that you discipline your thoughts and actions to be in symphony with Him? We all have a long way to go in this, but let’s make a beginning today and start living a Normal Orthodox life.

P.S. With the flow of the many-streamed river of almsgiving, you watered the dry earth of the needy. Showering alms on the widows and the poor, you shone with the light of your works and were radiant with grace, O Tabitha. Glory to Christ, who loves you! Glory to Christ, who has blessed you! Glory to Christ, whom you followed as a true disciple and a spotless lamb!

Fr. Barnabas Powell is the parish priest at Sts. Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene Greek Orthodox Church in Cumming, GA. He is also the founder of Faith Encouraged Ministries and produces the Faith Encouraged Daily Devotional on Substack. Watch the Faith Encouraged YouTube Channel here - https://www.youtube.com/@FaithEncouragedTV