Scripture
But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
— Jude 20 (ESV)
Devotional
Mark the grand characteristic of true prayer–“In the Holy Ghost.” The seed of acceptable devotion must come from heaven’s storehouse. Only the prayer which comes from God can go to God. We must shoot the Lord’s arrows back to him. That desire which he writes upon our heart will move his heart and bring down a blessing, but the desires of the flesh have no power with him. Praying in the Holy Ghost is praying in fervency. Cold prayers ask the Lord not to hear them. Those who do not plead with fervency, plead not at all. As well speak of lukewarm fire as of lukewarm prayer–it is essential that it be red hot. It is praying perseveringly. The true suppliant gathers force as he proceeds, and grows more fervent when God delays to answer. The longer the gate is closed, the more vehemently does he use the knocker, and the longer the angel lingers the more resolved is he that he will never let him go without the blessing. Beautiful in God’s sight is tearful, agonizing, unconquerable importunity. It means praying humbly, for the Holy Spirit never puffs us up with pride. It is his office to convince of sin, and so to bow us down in contrition and brokenness of spirit. We shall never sing Gloria in excelsis except we pray to God De profundis: out of the depths must we cry, or we shall never behold glory in the highest. It is loving prayer. Prayer should be perfumed with love, saturated with love–love to our fellow saints, and love to Christ. Moreover, it must be a prayer full of faith. A man prevails only as he believes. The Holy Spirit is the author of faith, and strengthens it, so that we pray believing God’s promise. O that this blessed combination of excellent graces, priceless and sweet as the spices of the merchant, might be fragrant within us because the Holy Ghost is in our hearts! Most blessed Comforter, exert thy mighty power within us, helping our infirmities in prayer.
Reflection
True prayer’s mark is “in the Holy Ghost.” Only what comes from God can go to God. Fleshly wishes have no power with Him; the desire He writes on the heart moves His heart. Ask the Comforter to help your infirmities—to make prayer fragrant with heaven’s own spices. The gospel does not leave you to manufacture devotion. It gives you the Spirit who teaches you to pray.
Goad
Whose desires are you still shooting heavenward tonight—the flesh’s wishlist, or prayers the Spirit Himself is writing on your heart?
Tie-In
Morning cast nets at His word. Evening prays in the Holy Ghost. Obedient labor; Spirit-born asking. Work and prayer under the same Lord.
Closing
Spurgeon’s classic text with a brief reflection to help today’s reader.
If these words have stirred something, sit with it.
NewGrapes Ministries. Making disciples, not pew-fillers. Soli Deo Gloria.