“Praying in the Holy Ghost.” — Jude 20
Mark the grand characteristic of true prayer — “In the Holy Ghost.” Theseed of acceptable devotion must come from heaven’s storehouse. Onlythe prayer which comes from God can go to God. We must shoot theLord’s arrows back to Him. That desire which He writes upon our heartwill move His heart and bring down a blessing, but the desires of the fleshhave no power with Him.
Praying in the Holy Ghost is praying in fervency. Cold prayers ask the Lord not to hear them. Those who do not plead with fervency, plead not at all. As well speak of lukewarm fire as of lukewarm prayer — it is essential that it be red hot. It is praying perseveringly. The true suppliant gathers force as he proceeds, and grows more fervent when God delays to answer. The longer the gate is closed, the more…
vehemently does he use theknocker, and the longer the angel lingers the more resolved is he that he willnever let him go without the blessing. Beautiful in God’s sight is tearful,agonizing, unconquerable importunity. It means praying humbly, for theHoly Spirit never puffs us up with pride. It is His office to convince ofsin, and so to bow us down in contrition and brokenness of spirit. We shallnever sing Gloria in excelsis except we pray to God De profundis: out ofthe depths must we cry, or we shall never behold glory in the highest. It isloving prayer. Prayer should be perfumed with love, saturated with love— love to our fellow saints, and love to Christ. Moreover, it must be aprayer full of faith. A man prevails only as he believes. The Holy Spirit isthe author of faith, and strengthens it, so that we pray believing God’spromise. O that this blessed combination of excellent graces, priceless andsweet as the spices of the merchant, might be fragrant within us becausethe Holy Ghost is in our hearts! Most blessed Comforter, exert Thymighty power within us, helping our infirmities in prayer.
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Producer: Todd Adkins
Voice Artist: Ian Cullen