“…The Spirit Himself makes intercession for us.” Romans 8:26
Dear Ones:
Scripture is quite clear with regard to our ignorance of what we truly need. This is, in part, due to our lack of capacity to understand all things. Another reason has to do with our fallen, selfish nature, which puts “self” in the forefront of the considerations of life. It is for these reasons, and others, that God has provided the Spirit of God to pray for us, “…according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26,27) It is perhaps the greatest of ministries towards believers, that the Lord Jesus intercedes for them. Indeed, the author of the book of Hebrews writes: “He (the Lord Jesus), EVER LIVES to make intercession for them.” (7:25) When we look at the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and the Son of God, coupled with the fact that our Father, “…knows what things we have need of before we ask Him,” we are shut up to God, not only to teach us how to pray, but to trust Him for the FULL outworking of His will, in answer to the intercession made.
How does this apply to us? When God revealed by His word, that He would send rain upon the earth after a drought of three years, Elijah went to the top of Mount Carmel and prayed, waiting to see the first visible confirmation of the promise. This occurred when he saw the small cloud rising from the sea. When Daniel read in the writings of Jeremiah, the word of God to him, concerning the return of the people of Israel to the promised land after the deportation, he gave himself to prayer. There was the consequent realization of the promise. Lastly, the Lord Jesus, knowing that the time of His betrayal was at hand, with the cross looming before Him, partakes with His disciples what we call “…the Lord’s supper.” What does He then do, knowing the will of God? He goes to the Mount of Olives to pray. How does He pray? Though He is perfectly submitted to the will of His Father, He asks if there is another way to go but to the cross. It is confirmed to His heart and mind that there is not. Therefore, prayer is made that “…Thy will be done.” What was the result in answer to prayer, in the will of God? It was the sufficient grace and enabling of the Father by the Spirit to accomplish His work, to finish it, and to obtain for all mankind a perfect salvation.
If we would have the fire of faith, the faithfulness to be what we should be to God, and strength to accomplish His will, bearing much fruit, then we must be those who pray according to the promises. We must also be those who pray according to the revealed will of God to our hearts. Seeing we do not know what we should ask, except in the measure that the Lord Jesus has taught us by His Spirit, and seeing that Christ as our High Priest WILL pray according to the will of God, with the Spirit ever making intercession for us, we should be those who seek FIRST the reign of Christ, and the knowledge of His will. Secondly, we should be those who trust Christ fully, implicitly, according to His promises, for as Abraham discovered, and believed, “…what He (God) had promised, He was able also to perform.” (Romans 4:21)
Dear Father, teach us, not only the necessity to pray, but HOW to pray. Grant us submitted wills, faith-filled hearts, and the courage to go forward, praying according to the will of God. Enable us to believe Thee for the fire of the Holy Spirit, that blessed zeal of Christ in our hearts, and His faithfulness, so that much fruit will be born for Thy glory and honor. We praise and thank Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad