The Spirit's Role in Prayer

 It’s one of those statements — actually an exhortation, a command — that is easily overlooked. It comes at the end of the letter, after the main theme had been laid to rest and the author was bringing his letter to a close. It’s one of those last comments that we often overlook. In fact, we generally skip over it. But when we reflect on it, we find it to be full of wisdom that can enrich our spiritual lives. It teaches us how to pray.

“Pray in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18).

Some understand praying in the Spirit to refer to the phenomenon known as speaking in tongues — a prayer language some people experience. But this exhortation suggests there is more to praying in the Spirit than speaking in tongues. This exhortation teaches us the Spirit plays a vital role in our praying.

The Spirit prompts us to pray, stirring our sense of need to pray as well as our desire to pray. The Spirit assures us that God accepts us unconditionally, freeing us from being hesitant or timid about coming to God in prayer (Romans 8:14-16). The Spirit cultivates the confidence to pray boldly, teaching us to trust God’s delight in giving and generosity in doing so.

“Pray in the Spirit” calls us to allow the Spirit to guide our prayer. In his letter to the church at Corinth, Paul said the Spirit searches “the depths of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10). The Spirit knows the heart and mind of God. Thus, the Spirit knows “what is truly God’s” (1 Corinthians 2:11). The Spirit’s role is to lead us to know God and the ways of God (1 Corinthians 2:12). The Spirit also guides us in connecting with God. The Spirit helps us align our prayers with the will of God. (That’s what it means to pray “in Jesus’s name.” We pray with the spirit of Jesus, in harmony with the will of God.)

When we do not consciously involve the Spirit in our praying, our prayers tend to become monologues. We are like the person who talks non-stop, moving from one topic or story to the next, seemingly not even stopping to take a breath. These people dominate every conversation. In doing so, they control the relationship and keep the focus on themselves. Without the Spirit, we do all the talking when we pray. We control the relationship. And we keep the focus on ourselves. Our prayers tend to be little more than reciting the grocery list of things we want God to do. Without the Spirit, our prayers become something we do — a task — rather than a relationship we enjoy. They become just another item on our “to do” list.

 “Pray in the Spirit” calls us to consciously and intentionally involve the Spirit when we pray. What does that look like? We begin by stilling our hearts and minds. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). We do not rush into prayer. We center ourselves so that we can focus on connecting with God. I use controlled, slow, deep breathing to help me become still. Then we ask the Spirit to guide our thoughts as we pray. As we sit in the stillness, we pay attention to where our thoughts go, seeking to understand what the Spirit wants us to see. We are making space for God to speak. We are listening to what God says through the Spirit. When we share our petitions and concerns, we take time to be still afterwards, seeking to discern the Spirit’s guidance. Even after our prayer time is “over,” we continue to be attuned to what the Spirit brings to mind. Prayer becomes a dialogue that continues through the day.

Prayer is not one of the things we generally associate with the Spirit, but the Spirit guides us into deep, meaningful connection — and conversation! — with God.