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"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
(Jude 20-21)
How do we obey Jude's command to keep ourselves in the love of God? We build up our faith and we also pray in the Holy Spirit. Prayer (talking to God) is absolutely essential if we are to grow strong in our faith, walk with the Lord Jesus, and tell others about Him. No one ever witnesses any better than he or she prays. Prayer is our vital link to heaven! I read this quote on prayer years ago, and it still speaks powerfully to me and challenges me: "You can do many things after prayer, but you can do nothing before you pray."
So, what exactly does "praying in the Holy Spirit" mean? Ephesians 6:18 says, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." This is prayer that is dominated and controlled by the Spirit's leading. This kind of prayer is intense and reliant upon the Spirit's help. Romans 8:26 states, "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. 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." Commenting on this text, Leon Morris writes, "Paul seems to be saying that when we cannot find words in which to express our prayer and can do no better than make inarticulate sounds, the Spirit takes those sounds and makes them into effective intercession. It is an encouragement to all of us who find praying difficult." (Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (p. 328). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.)
Last week, I received a video testimony about the power of prayer from one of our ministry partners, Finny Matthews. A former Hindu became a witchdoctor and began practicing sorcery until someone witnessed to him. He gave his life to Christ and is now a pastor. God is blessing him and using him mightily. He has baptized almost everyone who has become a part of his local church. One particular story I thought was so interesting had to do with this pastor's bull that got bit by a venomous snake and died. Radical Hindus in the area have been very angry and agitated about this pastor and his local church. After the bull died, these Hindus gathered around the pastor's house with weapons and told him that if his God did not raise this bull from the dead, they would kill him. He prayed, and as soon as he said "Amen," the bull arose and stood upright! The mob fled and left him alone! I believe this beloved pastor was doing some serious praying in the Holy Spirit, and God delivered him from danger with a mighty miracle!
Daily infusions of the Word of God and prayer are absolutely essential if we are to share Christ consistently and effectively. In fact, show me a Christian who is abiding in the love of God, enjoying fellowship with Him, praying and reading the Word as they begin their day, and being built up, not torn down by others, and I'll bet they cannot help but share Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit!
I am praying for you even now, as you read today's devotion, that the Holy Spirit would fill you and empower you to live a victorious life for Jesus.
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