A devotional reflection on prayer as communion with God and learning to pray from the deepest places of the heart as the Holy Spirit leads.
“With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints.”
— Ephesians 6:18 (NASB)
What Is Prayer?
The simplest definition of prayer is communicating with God.
Prayer is more than speaking words toward Heaven. It is drawing near to God in fellowship, worship, thanksgiving, confession, intercession, petition, and quiet listening.
It is the communion for which we were created.
Prayer is the restored conversation made possible through Jesus Christ.
What Does It Mean to Pray in the Spirit?
Paul tells believers to pray “at all times in the Spirit.”
While praying in tongues is certainly one biblical expression of prayer in the Spirit, Scripture does not limit Paul’s instruction to that expression alone.
One word captures the heart of this truth:
Rawness.
Not raw emotion. Not uncontrolled feelings. But a spiritual rawness—a heart stripped of pretense, pride, self-sufficiency, and religious performance.
It is coming before God honestly from the deepest part of our being, allowing the Holy Spirit complete access to our hearts.
That rawness is produced by surrender.
The indwelling Holy Spirit searches the deep things of God and aligns our hearts with the Father’s will.
Definition
To pray in the Spirit is to communicate with the Father from the deepest inner man as the indwelling Holy Spirit directs, empowers, and aligns our hearts with the Father’s will through Jesus Christ.
The Goal of Prayer
Prayer is not primarily about changing God’s mind.
Prayer changes ours.
As we remain in His Presence, our thoughts increasingly reflect His thoughts, our desires become His desires, and our prayers align with His eternal purpose.
Prayer in the Spirit strengthens the believer, advances the Kingdom, and reveals Jesus Christ.
Kingdom Truth
Prayer is communicating with God.
Praying in the Spirit is communicating with God from the deepest places of the redeemed heart as the indwelling Holy Spirit directs, empowers, and aligns the believer with the Father’s will.
Prayer begins with communication.
Prayer matures into communion.
Reflection
Am I simply saying prayers, or am I drawing near to God?
Have I allowed the Holy Spirit access to the deepest places of my heart?
Is there still religious performance where God desires surrender?
Are my prayers becoming more like the Father’s heart?
Prayer
Father, thank You for opening the way into Your Presence through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit.
Teach me to pray with honesty, humility, and spiritual rawness before You. Strip away every mask, every form of self-reliance, and every trace of religious performance.
Holy Spirit, reveal Jesus more fully to me, guide my prayers according to the Father’s heart, align my desires with His eternal will, and empower me to walk in loving obedience.
May my life become an ongoing communion with the Father through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, revealing His Kingdom wherever I go.
In the Name of Jesus, I pray.