In the Spirit

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18 NIV

I confess; classical music relaxes me to the point of distraction. It's not that it bores me or that I don't like it, but after 10 or 15 minutes, while my ears are listening and my brain processes what it hears, my thoughts are elsewhere. So I'm there in body but not fully present.

This attentiveness–the bringing body, mind, and soul into unified awareness–is what Paul means by praying in the Spirit. We are not to be partially present but fully in attendance. We all have many things going on, some significant, yet others are white noise and distractions that keep us from that state of being.

This doesn't mean we have to be in a place of silence–sometimes, the quiet can be as deafening as the sound. So whether we are trapped in traffic on I95, or the relative silence of our homes, it's arriving at that place where we sense God's presence—that locale where there are only two people in conversation, the Holy Spirit and us. Even when we pray communally, it is a dialogue between us as individuals and God.

Arriving at that place of open and fully attentive conversation, we are to offer our prayers. All kinds of prayers, thanksgiving, confession, healing, deliverance, and help. Prayers for ourselves and others, especially our siblings in Christ.

God, help us to find that quiet center, that place of full attentiveness. May we absorb your presence as we arrive and breathe in the Holy Spirit. We thank you for this one-on-one time with you and all your blessings. We confess our sins and ask for forgiveness. We pray for healing for those who are sick and deliverance for those who are struggling. We pray for the lost that they may find you. We pray for the people of your Church that they may be strengthened in faith and be obedient to your will. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim