Effective prayer is always in the Spirit. That’s the reason Paul told us to pray that way “at all times (on every occasion, in every season)” (Ephesians 6:18 Amp).
Why is it so essential for us to pray in the Spirit or, as another translator says, to pray led by the Spirit?
Because we do not know what prayer to offer, nor how to offer it worthily as we ought!
Some people might argue with that statement. “Well, I know the Word of God so I just pray the Word,” they’d say. “The Word always works.”
True, the Word of God does work.
But only the Holy Spirit knows which part of the Word will work most effectively in any given situation. He is the only one who can show us how to use the Scriptures with supernatural power and precision. It is only with His help that the Bible truly becomes “the sword of the Spirit” in our mouths!
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1 – 13
Source: Devotions for the Praying Heart by Lynne Hammond.
On the chilly March night in 1972 when Lynne Hammond took her first step into a life of Spirit-led prayer, she had no idea what was about to happen. All she knew was the hunger in her heart for God wouldn’t let her sleep. In the few short months she’d been born again, her desire to fellowship with Him had grown so strong she could hardly contain it. “Help me, God!” she cried. “I want to know you. I want to be able to talk to you. Please, teach me to pray!”
Suddenly, a heavenly presence flooded the room. Lynne sensed waves of spiritual fire sweeping over her and a beautiful language began to flow like a river from within her. Although she’d never heard of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, she knew instantly, without a doubt—this was God!
What began that night soon blossomed into a life of prayer that ultimately became a ministry of prayer when, in 1980, Lynne and her husband, Mac, founded Living Word Christian Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Under Lynne’s leadership, the prayer ministry at Living Word has become an internationally recognized model for developing effective pray-ers in the local church.
A teacher and an author, Lynne publishes a newsletter called Prayer Notes, has written numerous books, and currently serves as the national prayer director for Daughters for Zion. Her passion for inspiring and leading others into the life of Spirit-led prayer continues to take her around the world to minister to believers whose heart cry, like hers, is “Lord, teach me to pray!”