Praying in the Spirit (Remastered)

A Sermon on Praying in the Spirit from Ephesians 6.18 https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book... "Armor of God" playlist:    • Introduction ― A Sermon on Ephesians 6:10 ...   "Let me put it in one question. Do you enjoy prayer? Have you ever enjoyed prayer? Is it to you the most delightful occupation? If it isn't, it's because you have forgotten that the operations of the Holy Spirit are absolutely essential to prayer." ―Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Description Nothing is more fatal than beginning the Christian life thinking trouble and problems are finished. In this sermon on praying in the Spirit from Ephesians 6.18, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that the New Testament actually indicates the opposite of this. Rather, Christians should expect attacks as never before. What is the connection between “praying always” and the “armor of God”? Prayer is something Christians do in addition to putting on the armor. The armor provided by God cannot be used except in communion with God. Prayer is essential to the Christian life, for without it the Christian is faint. The apostle Paul speaks of “all prayer,” then “supplication.” First, he means all kinds of prayer in general — private, public, with or without words, orderly prayer, groans, etc. Then he specifies a certain kind of prayer: supplication, which is petition. The secret of true prayer is “in the Spirit.” Vain repetitions, merely uttering words out of habit or custom, is not praying. Praying in the Spirit means being concentrated and submitted to the Spirit, so that He creates, directs, orders, and empowers praying. It means recalling that the only way into the presence of God is in Christ. Praying in the Spirit is having fellowship with God, which ends in true worship. Sermon Breakdown The apostle Paul instructs Christians to pray always in Ephesians 6:18. Paul provides detailed teaching on prayer to supplement his instruction. There are two types of prayer: all prayer (general) and supplication (petition). We should pray in all forms and bring our requests to God. The secret to true prayer is praying in the Spirit. This means prayer directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Praying in the Spirit is the opposite of vain repetition, reliance on form or ritual, or cold and heartless prayer. Praying in the Spirit requires being in the Spirit yourself, realizing your access is through Christ, realizing the presence of God, and results in worship, freedom, and boldness. Examples of praying in the Spirit include times when prayer becomes eloquent, freedom is experienced, and you lose sense of time. This is needed today. We must pray without ceasing, watching diligently and persevering in prayer. Prayer should be constant, not sporadic. Knowledge of doctrine and the whole armor of God is essential, but prayer brings these to life and allows us to experience God.