When I sit down to write this blog each week, I wrestle with two things. First, what to write. There’s so much that I want to share. I struggle with which thought to pass along to you. I’d post a daily blog entry, but reality tells me that my schedule is already too full, and you probably already have too much in your email inbox. Second, how to limit what I write. A heart that is overflowing tends to create an overflowing blog entry. I struggle to keep this to just 300 to 400 words.
This week, I will eliminate part of the struggle by not giving just one thought. Instead, I’ll pass along three quick ponderables. Though the thoughts are an easy, quick read, if meditated on, they might challenge and/or alter your walk in the Spirit.
* Praying in and through the Spirit is a matter of our will. The Apostle Paul wrote, “I will pray with the Spirit”. (1 Corinthians 14:15) Being in a certain location and/or having a certain kind of emotion should have no bearing on our praying in the Spirit. This isn’t a being-at-church thing. Praying in the Spirit isn’t something that is produced because of a certain song being sung or played. All that is necessary is our will.
* Praying in and through the Spirit is a matter of our discipline. Again, quoting from Paul, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.” (1 Corinthians 14:18). Evidently, Paul had learned that praying in and through the Holy Spirit isn’t a matter of convenience. It is a matter of necessity. The discipline of praying in the Spirit causes one to push aside the lesser (the busyness of a schedule) to obtain the greater (the benefits of flowing together with the Holy Spirit).
* Praying in and through the Spirit is a matter of our availability. Paul wrote the Galatian church, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) While I readily recognize that the walk in the Spirit is far, far more than praying in our heavenly prayer language, praying in the Spirit is a part of our walk. To me, that means that throughout the day, utilizing my prayer language is a natural part of my lifestyle. While I am driving my vehicle, I’ll pray in the Spirit. (This would be a HUGE benefit while driving on the interstate.) At times, while standing waiting in line, I can quietly pray in the language of the Spirit. (A great idea for Walmart’s long checkout lines.) I will creatively make time for that which is most important to me.
Meditate on these thoughts. I’ll be back next week. Vickie and I pray God’s richest blessings upon all that you do for Christ and His Kingdom.
(My goal is 300 to 400 words. I almost made it. Including the words in this paragraph, the word count is 482 words.)
