Read: Ephesians 6:18-24
Watch: The Holy Spirit (BibleProject)
Pray in the Spirit at all times!
Stay alert, and be persistent. After teaching the Ephesian believers what it looks like to live together in Christ—and how to put that faith into practice—Paul leaves them with this final, vital admonition: Pray in the Spirit.
But how exactly do we “pray in the Spirit?”
We do it by humbly entering into Trinitarian union with the Spirit of God. God created you for relationship with Himself. When you were adopted into the Kingdom of God, you were immersed into this divine fellowship. You were brought out of darkness (sin) and into His marvelous light (righteousness) so that you may live in the strength of His power.
When we pray, “Holy Spirit, breathe on me… breathe on me, Breath of Life,” we are humbly calling on Almighty God to continuously send His life-giving presence to fill us with His glory. This is a high and holy prayer. We must approach Him in complete surrender, submission, and humility, seeking His grace and mercy.
Oh, What Joy!
This intimacy is exactly what He desires for us. God wants to pour out His Spirit upon us! So we ask, and He answers.
Residing within us is the Paraclete—our Counselor, Comforter, Encourager, and Advocate. We carry the very energy, influence, strength, and power of Creator-God. With every physical breath and every heartbeat, we can unceasingly call upon, trust in, and depend on His presence. Just as breathing and a heartbeat sustain our physical bodies, immersing ourselves in the Holy Spirit sustains our spiritual lives, giving us life abundant and eternal.
Our Prayer for the Week: Come, Holy Spirit, come! And His faithful answer to us is always peace, love, and grace.
Discussion Questions
- The Shift from Independence to Interdependence Praying in the Spirit requires “complete surrender and submission.” In a culture that highly values self-reliance and control, what makes surrender feel so difficult or uncomfortable? What is one practical area of your life this week where you need to shift from trying harder to surrendering more?
- Recognizing the Paraclete in the Mundane The Holy Spirit is our Counselor, Comforter, Encourager, and Advocate. Looking back at your past week, in which of these four roles did you most need the Spirit? How might actively reminding yourself that the Spirit’s “energy and power” resides within you change how you handle daily stress or difficult conversations?
- Spiritual “Breathing” We are challenged to unceasingly depend on the Holy Spirit just as automatically as our bodies rely on a heartbeat and breath. What does “breathing in” the Holy Spirit look like for you in the middle of a busy, chaotic day? What are the spiritual “pollutants” or distractions that tend to disrupt your connection to His peace, love, and grace?