The Apostle Paul labored in prayer to the point of exhaustion for the Christians at Colosse. So much of our praying is calm and comfortable, yet Paul exerted his spiritual muscles the way a Greek runner would exert himself in the Olympic games.

This does not mean that our prayers are more effective if we exert all kinds of fleshly energy. Nor does it mean that we must “wrestle with God” and wear Him out before He will meet our needs. Paul described a spiritual striving: it was God’s power at work in his life.

True prayer is directed to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit is at work in our lives, then we can pray mightily in the will of God.

How does the Spirit assist us in our praying? For one thing, the Spirit teaches us the Word and shows us the will of God. Prayer is not our trying to change God’s mind. It is learning what is the mind of God and asking accordingly.

The Holy Spirit constantly intercedes for us even though we do not hear His voice. He knows the Father’s will and He helps us pray in that will.

Verse for today: “And this; is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us; and if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him” (1 John 5:14-15).

Also read: Matthew 6:9-13; John 14:13-14; 16:13-15;
Romans 8:26-27.

Action assignment: Praying is one of the Christian’s greatest privileges. Make yourself available to God, His Word, and His Spirit as you learn to exercise the privilege of disciplined praying.

WARREN W. WIERSBE
www.backtothebible.in