Paraclete & Prayer

Reading: Romans 8:14-28

"The Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express" (Rom 8:26)
 
We cannot overemphasize our need of the Spirit's power today because so much is attempted by mere fleshly enthusiasm and human strength. In today's Church the Holy Spirit is the most ignored Person among the Godhead. Christians are afraid to make even a casual reference to Him lest they would be labelled Pentecostals-as if that matters! God the Father is in Heaven, God the Son is seated at the Father's right hand in Heaven, and it is God the Holy Spirit who in all His personality is here on earth. This is the Dispensation of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is called the "Paraclete," meaning a Helper (Jn 14:26). One of His primary helps is in the area of prayer, because we are all "weak" in it. We know not what to pray and how. The Holy Spirit not only helps us in our prayer but also intercedes for us "with groans that words cannot express" (Rom 8:26). One of the first signs of those baptized with the Spirit is the desire and depth in prayer. The early disciples following Pentecost received a renewed interest in prayer and never missed the hour of prayer! (Acts 2:42; 3:1).

"Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs" burst forth from a Spirit-filled heart. The Holy Spirit excites us to sing and make music in our heart to the Lord, "always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph 5:18-20). All Church leaders agree that one of the greatest contributions of the charismatic movement to the Church is the restoration of "worship," which A. W. Tozer (1897-1963) calls "the missing jewel of evangelical Christianity!" Several Scripture passages are set to music, and the traditional and conservative forms of worship give way to spontaneous and joyful worship. Hallelujah is no more a denominational shout!

Speaking in tongues has a tremendous devotional value in praise and private prayer (1 Cor 14:4,14-17). I spend some time daily in private prayer speaking in tongues since 1962 when I was baptized with the Spirit. It's refreshing! Of the nine gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Cor 12:8-10, the one primarily directed to God is "speaking in tongues."

God is here, and that to bless us with the Spirit's quickening power;
See, the cloud already bending waits to drop the grateful shower.
Saviour, grant the prayer we offer while in simple faith we bow;
From the windows of Thy mercy pour us out a blessing now!