How to Pray in the Spirit – Adrian Rogers

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 8:26-27

How to Pray in the Spirit – Adrian Rogers

As Christians, prayer is our greatest privilege, yet our greatest failure. Knowing this, God has given us a Helper: the Holy Spirit. Because we are up against the world, the flesh and the devil, it is crucial that we know how to pray in the Spirit.

Romans 8:26-27 says, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, for He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

The Spirit activates our will to pray. Our flesh resists prayer; but the Holy Spirit in us recognizes God for who He is, and reignites our will to pray.

The Spirit animates our bodies to pray. When our minds wander and grow weary, we must yield to the Holy Spirit and receive His energy and power.

The Spirit adapts our requests. Sometimes we’re not sure how to pray; but, glory to God, the Holy Spirit is the ultimate transformer. Simply pray with a clean heart, and He will adapt our prayers.

The Spirit administrates our access to God.

Ephesians 2:18 says, “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

God has given us the royal invitation to pray, and the Holy Spirit is our guide into the throne room.

The Spirit articulates our words. The Holy Spirit understands our groans and wordless heartache. Even when we don’t have the vocabulary to express our thoughts, God knows our hearts.

The Spirit enunciates our confidence. We know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28) His plans are for our holiness, not our happiness.

The Spirit amplifies our victory.

When we pray in the flesh, we are no match for Satan; but when we pray in the Spirit, we remember: if God is for us, who can stand against? (Romans 8:31)

Apply it to your life

Prayer is warfare; have you prayed in the Spirit today?

Adrian Rogers says, “The Holy Spirit wants to think through our minds and speak through our lips; He wants to weep through our eyes and groan through our spirits. It is the Holy Spirit in the human spirit, together with and instead of.”