One of our newcomers asked to meet with me and
took me out to lunch (I like him already). He is
investigating Christianity and is so new to it that
I doubt he could find the book of Genesis if I asked
him. During lunch, he nervously got to his question:
“Will you teach me how to pray?” I laughed and
asked, “Who am I now, Jesus?” He had this blank look
on his face and it hit me, he was unaware the
disciples asked Jesus the same thing.
I took out a napkin and wrote the name God on the
far left … and the Name Jesus on the far right. I
told him prayer begins with talking to God the
Father and usually ends with “In Jesus Name.” That’s
not some mystic incantation. The scripture’s command
that we pray in the Name of Jesus. It’s more of an
attitude than a statement. I then told him that
everything between Praying to God and ending in
Jesus name, the Holy Spirit helps to take your words
and make them perfect. You don’t have to say it
perfect to pray.
We’re promised in Scripture that the Holy Spirit
takes our prayers and then goes to the Father on our
behalf to say exactly what we need to have said.
(Roman’s 8:26-27)
The church copier broke down once early in my
ministry. I don’t know a thing about copiers so I
called the repair shop to see if they could walk me
through the repair over the phone. I quickly
discovered, however, that I didn't even know how to
describe what was broken. I didn't know the names of
the parts. I just knew the copy machine didn't work.
The shop sent out a technician. He also called the
shop. Unlike me, he knew how to describe what was
needed. He used words I didn't understand. And soon
the copier was repaired. My need was met because he
communicated words I could not express.
This is also what the Holy Spirit does for us. When
we don't always know how to pray, the Holy Spirit
knows precisely what we need and prays in a language
the Father perfectly understands.
The Spirit will not pray for us…the Spirit prays
with us. The words translated as the spirit “helps
us” actually means “to join with.” When we pray, the
Holy Spirit will jump in and make those prayers
perfect.
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It was just before prom and my son wanted to use our Dodge Charger.
Imagine with me, I’m watching TV, my son came in and just stood
between me and the television. I asked him what he wanted. He just
stood there with a big stupid grin on his face shaking his head up
and down saying, "You know!" "I know what?" "You know!" Finally my
wife spoke for him, "He wants to know if he can have the Charger for
Prom”. Bonnie knew what he was saying with him just voicing, "You
know!"
I believe it would be spiritually beneficial for us to say a lot
more in prayer than just, "You know!" But for a moment, this passage
came to life for me. He is my son. What's mine is his. And his
request, through my wife, was answered “yes.”
Because of the Holy Spirit, we don’t have to say our prayers
perfectly … we just have to say them. He makes them perfect. This is
just one of the many benefits we received when we received the Holy
Spirit.
[Ron Otto, Lincoln
Christian Church] |
