There are many forms of praying open to Christians. However, Paul tells us to

...pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.(Ephesians 6:18 )

Most people would accept this as meaning that we should always let the Holy Spirit lead our prayer without exception, and that this should apply to every kind of prayer.

Collective Prayer

Now, broadly speaking, we can define two broad types of prayer: personal and collective. In the present context, collective forms of prayer may be regarded as being more difficult in applying Paul's advice. The words and forms of collective prayers are often determined for us, either by leaders of prayer or through predetermined liturgies. Since Paul advises us to pray in the Spirit on all occasions, we also need to find ways of doing in these cases.

The first step here is, perhaps, one we should always follow in all cases: begin by asking the Spirit to use and pray through one. The concentrate as much as possible on the form and content of the way collective prayer is being led. In some services this may involve praying in tongues, which then gives one a greater sense of freedom. In fact, however, that really should be no different if we are really concentrating on the way we are being led.

Sometimes we may experience a sense that the Spirit is, in some way, speaking directly to us through the collective prayer. This is always a help if it happens, but we ought not to rely on such things. Often our faith is being pushed deeper when such experiences are not present.

Personal Prayer

Personal or individual prayer seems to give us greater freedom for praying in the Spirit. yet this is only a freedom to surrender our prayer to the Holy Spirit. This surrender takes place at two levels: what we pray about and how we prayer about it.

1. What We Pray About.

Taking a day as a whole, there may be some topics which we are convinced the Holy Spirit always wants us to include in our prayer. Members of our family are an obvious topic, and each of us may have other things about which we have the same kind of conviction. So these always get fitted in somewhere, and it may be that we remember things better by praying for certain intentions at certain, albiet different times of the day.However, such things are still subject to:

2. How We Pray.

Whether we are concerned with something we pray about every day or not, there is really only one way to pray in the Spirit. That is, as far as possible to empty one's mind of all content, put oneself under the direction of the Holy Spirit, and let the form of prayer come entirely from him. By form one includes the topic, the words, or the absense of words, or prayer in tongues, or however else one is led. What else? You tell me! Some people, for example, are led to pray through rears and have a gift of tears which is usually related to prayer.

Even when we pray for the same things or people every day, we must let the Spirit guide and inform our prayer. There may be aspects of what or who we are praying about of which we have no knowledge, and we may find ourselves praying in ways and for things which seem pointless or meaningless. But they will not be!

Praying in the Spirit means that he prays -- not us! How he prays, and for whom and what he prays is entirely up to him. We are merely the vehicles of his prayer. Does Paul not say that the

... Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.( Romans 8:26 )

Sometimes we do not even know what it is that we are praying for. Nor does it matter in the least! Paul goes on to tell us that he who

...searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. (Romans 8:27)

Certainly there will be those times when, through normal human weakness, our minds wonder and concentration falters. This is the common experience of everyone who prays. All we can do on these occasions (and there may be several in any one period of prayer) is to apologise and refocus one's effort on not seeking to pray oneseflf.

Every act of prayer is an act of faith. Every act of faith is an abdication of our own will and strength and a total reliance on God to accomplish whatever it is we pray for. And the best prayer is always the prayer led by the Holy Spirit. Some people skit at Christians who claim that God speaks to them. Such

people never pray in the Spirit.!

850 Words

(ll Scripture quotations from the International Version)

AUTHOR: Anthony Keith Whitehead

Web Site: http://www.christianword.co.uk

This article is copyright but may be reproduced providing that all

this information is included

Over twentyfour years in Christian healing teaching writing

ministries. Wide range of secular employments before being called

by the Lord into full time independent ministry in 1987. With his

wife Iris he has ministered both in the UK and USA. Has written

several books on healing meditation and various aspects of spirituality.

Formal qualifications include: B.A. M.Phil.

Cambridge University Certificate in Religious Studies Post Grad Cert in Education.

Web Site: http://www.christianword.co.uk