Apr 21 2008

Bible Study Week 8 - What Is The Role Of The Holy Spirit In Our Prayer Life?

Published by admin at 8:32 pm under Weekly Reflections

Purpose of This

Today we will examine the role of the in assisting the to pray effectively and to grow in his or her life.

Lesson Objective

This lesson will guide the participants to:

  1. Understand the role of the in prayer.
  2. Understand the ways of in the spirit.
  3. Understand the power of [tag-tec]praying[t/ag-tec] in the spirit.

Introduction

Prayer should be at the center of every who wants to experience a deeper relationship with God in their life. In this regard Christ himself took time to teach his disciples how to pray and because he understands our weakness in , he said he shall send us a teacher who is the who will teach us all things and this includes (John 14:26John 14:26
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
26 But the Comforter, [even] the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.  

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). Paul writing to the Romans said “For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26Romans 8:26
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
26 And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for [us] with groanings which cannot be uttered;  ). We should know the power that is available to us in , even in the of one man. It was the Queen of Scotland who said of John Knox, “I am not afraid of all the armies of England or France but I am afraid of the prayer of this man.” He walked so closely with God that the Queen realized whatever he asked from God, God heard and answered him. God is not a respecter of persons and He can give to us the same power in through the .

Today’s Lesson:

Begin today’s lesson by reading Daniel 10:2-9Daniel 10:2-9
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three whole weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. 4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel, 5 I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz: 6 his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches, and his arms and his feet like unto burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. 7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I fallen into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.  

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and Revelation 1:9-20Revelation 1:9-20
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
9 I John, your brother and partaker with you in tribulation and kingdom and patience [which are] in Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet 11 saying, What thou seest, write in a book and send [it] to the seven churches: unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And having turned I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 and in the midst of the candlesticks one like unto a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle. 14 And his head and his hair were white as white wool, [white] as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 and his feet like unto burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last, 18 and the Living one; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. 19 Write therefore the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the things which shall come to pass hereafter; 20 the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks are seven churches.  .

Thy Kingdom Come

We have been doing the series on and no doubt many of us have began to understand that praying is not easy, it is hard work! Jesus understood this very well and that is why He sent the to help us in our life. In order for us to pray , our prayers should begin in the natural realm (also known as the outer court) and penetrate to the spiritual realm () where God our father dwells. Many Christians end their sessions on the outer courts and rarely enter into the presence of God. This in itself is not bad, but as we mature in our we should desire to enter into the throne of God where we can “obtain mercy and grace” (Heb. 4:16). Without the help and power of the we cannot wrestle with God in and enter in the (Heb 9:1-5Heb 9:1-5
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
9 1 Now even a first [covenant] had ordinances of divine service, and its sanctuary, [a sanctuary] of this world. 2 For there was a tabernacle prepared, the first, wherein [were] the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the Holy place. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies; 4 having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein [was] a golden pot holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat; of which things we cannot now speak severally.  

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). The veil that separated us from God was torn into two by Christ’s death on the cross ((2 Cor 3:14-162 Cor 3:14-16
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
14 but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed [to them] that it is done away in Christ. 15 But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart. 16 But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away.  ), and therefore nothing can come between us and the Father now.

Praying in the spirit cannot be done in the flesh and we should therefore desire to be filled by the . The word of God says that “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing “i.e. to the carnal man and this is why we need the to help us in intercession. The enables our spirit man by the gift of tongues to make intercession for us according to the will of God. The knows exactly how to reach the mark where change for good can be effected.

Daniel and John the revelator are few examples of men who entered saw into the spiritual realms and the heavens opened for them because they were men of resolute . There are many who have not discovered the secret of praying in the Spirit, and therefore their lives as are dormant. We read in James 5:16James 5:16
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
16 Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.  

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(ISV) that “…The of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

This lesson cannot exhaust all the teaching we have on the topic of the . We’ll discuss more of Him in another lesson. A little theology may assist for now. ” For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”, John 3:16John 3:16
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.  

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. This verse distinguishes the role (or Person) of the Father from the Son. Then we read “I will ask the Father to give you another Helper (or Comforter), to be with you always. He is the , whom the world cannot receive, for it neither sees him nor recognizes him. But you recognize him, for he abides with you and will be in you” John 14:16-17John 14:16-17
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever, 17 [even] the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive; for it beholdeth him not, neither knoweth him: ye know him; for he abideth with you, and shall be in you.  . Jesus is talking about the , also called the or of Promise. He abides in and accompanies every believer. Jesus has distinguished between the Father, the Son (Himself) and the in this text. Now Israel was told in Deuteronomy 6:4Deuteronomy 6:4
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
4 Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah:   (KJV) “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD”. Therefore God is One but He has revealed Himself to mankind as three Persons with distinct roles.

I pray that the will reveal Himself to you as you desire to know Him and experience His daily presence in your life, in name I pray. Amen..

Week 8: Questions for Discussion

  1. Briefly describe the role of the according to John 14:26John 14:26
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    26 But the Comforter, [even] the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.      .Please explain……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
  2. What is the relationship that exists between , and the ?Please explain……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
  3. Would you say that the existed in the period?Please use Ezekiel 36:26-28Ezekiel 36:26-28
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep mine ordinances, and do them. 28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.       to explain and refer to any other also…………………………………………………
  4. What is your understanding of ?Please use Romans 8:26Romans 8:26
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    26 And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for [us] with groanings which cannot be uttered;      -27     to explain……………………………………………………………………………………………….
  5. What do you think Daniel was doing in Daniel 10:2-3Daniel 10:2-3
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three whole weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.      ?Please explain…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
  6. Would you say that the spiritual encounter Daniel had in verse 5-9 was due to his actions in verse 2-3?Please explain…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
  7. Can you draw a parallel between Daniel’s encounter in Daniel 10:5-9Daniel 10:5-9
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    5 I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz: 6 his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches, and his arms and his feet like unto burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. 7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I fallen into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.       and John’s encounter in Revelation 1:10-17Revelation 1:10-17
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet 11 saying, What thou seest, write in a book and send [it] to the seven churches: unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And having turned I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 and in the midst of the candlesticks one like unto a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle. 14 And his head and his hair were white as white wool, [white] as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 and his feet like unto burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last,      ? What do you think John had in common with Daniel according to this parallel?Please explain…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
  8. Read Matthew 3:11Matthew 3:11
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    11 I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and [in] fire:       and Acts 10:44-47Acts 10:44-47
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?       and briefly explain how somebody who is a believer in can receive the .Please explain……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

For Meditation: Isaiah 40:31Isaiah 40:31
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
31 but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.  

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: Eagles or Chickens?

“… But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles”
Scientists have said that an eagle is a strong bird that can reach great heights with its strong wings and also has great vision, as it sees its prey from a great height. This is the kind of bird that the prophet Isaiah has likened the people who will wait on the Lord. Let us therefore desire to be eagles as we wait on the Lord in prayer, so that He may empower us through His and show us great and mighty things. Amen.

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