Praying in the Holy Spirit

PRAYING in the HOLY SPIRIT
By H. A. Ironside

Introduction ................................................. 3
What Is Prayer in the Holy Spirit? .................... 4
Why Should We Pray? ..................................... 7
Hindrances to Prayer .................................... 10
Prayer and the Unseen Enemy ....................... 15
Prayer According to the Will of God ............. 19
In My Name .................................................. 22
Prayer and Communion ............................... 26
Prayer Answered in Judgment ..................... 29
Prayer and the Work of Evangelization ........ 33
Conclusion ................................................... 36

Introduction

In this booklet, we will meditate a little on prayer and try to learn a few things about it from the Word of God. The Word of God is the foundation on which we build. Prayer keeps the soul in touch with the power by which alone we build aright. Mere Bible knowledge may make one heady and doctrinal. Prayer alone, if unguided by Scripture, tends toward fanaticism; but the Word and prayer together give a good, firm base on which to develop a sturdy Christian character.

Prayer is almost universal in mankind.
“O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come” (Ps. 65:2).
Unsaved men pray. All nations pray. It is the sense of need, of weakness, that leads men to cry out for help to a Higher Power; and it is wrong to say, as some have said, that the prayers of unconverted people are never heard. The man whom our Lord healed of his blindness said, “Now we know that God does not hear sinners” (Jn. 9:31). This is true, in the sense that he meant it. But the cases of Hagar in the wilderness, the heathen mariners mentioned in Jonah, and other similar instances must not be overlooked. Both Scripture and history testify to prayers answered in wondrous grace, even when those who prayed were ignorant of the One to whom their entreaties were directed.

What Is Prayer in the Holy Spirit?

In Jude’s brief letter—a fitting preface as it were to the book of Revelation—we find the expression, “Praying in the Holy Spirit” (v. 20). The Christian must be prayerful in the Holy Spirit. He must take time to speak to the One who speaks to him in the written Word. In this, unsaved people can have no part whatever, for no one can pray in the Spirit who is not indwelt by the Spirit.

In Old Testament times, people prayed according to the Spirit as they were controlled by Him, though He did not then indwell believers as He does now. “He has been with you. He shall be in you.” This latter is the characteristic truth of the present dispensation. It is His abiding presence in the children of God that distinguishes this period from all that preceded it.

But though the Holy Spirit dwells in all believers now, all do not recognize this marvelous fact. To many, it is only a theory, a mere doctrinal statement. “Believe in the Holy Spirit,” say many real Christians without the least understanding of the wonderful meaning of these words.

“Having believed you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13). This divine person dwells in you if you are a believer. Your body is His temple. He has come to make His permanent residence in you. Have you recognized and welcomed Him at home there?