Prayers Of The Spirit: Benefits Of Prayers Of The Spirit
Study The Word
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
In the month of January we’re going to be going through some devotional teaching on The Prayers Of The Spirit. Looking at our opening verse in light of the context of the prayers of the Spirit we find the opening expression which says “All scripture is given by inspiration of God“. Bearing in mind that the epistles where we find the prayers of the Spirit are scripture, meaning that these prayers of the Spirit were actually given by inspiration of God. To give us a better understanding of this phrase – the Greek word here translated inspiration is theopneustos, which literally means God-breathed! So that means that these prayer points that the apostles wrote for us in scripture actually came from God. They originate from the Spirit of God. When you look at the word theopneustos, you’ll see that it’s a compound word from two words: theo – God and pnuestos – breath. And pnuestos is from the word pnuema which is spirit. Putting that altogether you get a better understanding of the phrase “inspiration of God”. It’s more and very different from the inspiration of an “inspired author or inspired literature”. What it is saying is that the scriptures originate from the Spirit God. They are Spirited by God. That is theopneustos.
θεόπνευστος theopneustos inspiration – God-breathed, divinely breathed, God spirited, divine spirited origin
It means that they were breathed out by God Himself! Think about this: when the apostle Paul sat down to write to the church at Ephesus, to the church at Colossae, to the churches everywhere, and he wrote these prayers in the epistles, he was not writing from his own thoughts. No! He was writing being driven of the Holy Spirit beyond his usual capabilities to mentally put things together. And the prayers of the Spirit were also recorded being part of the epistles for the church. So these prayers reveal to us the the very prayers of God for His children which are according to His will!
So, in our focus this month – the writings of the epistles that are “The prayers of the Spirit”, with this understanding in mind 2 Timothy 3:16 goes on further to say: “is profitable” – meaning they produce profit, they are gainful and beneficial. Amazing, so the next question would be, “profitable for what?”. Firstly, profitable “for doctrine”, the Greek word translated doctrine means for teaching. Now that means that the scriptures, and in our case study of the prayers of the Spirit are profitable for teaching. So the prayers of the Spirit have the ability of God in them to teach us and train us how to pray in accordance with God’s perfect will. Anyone who participates in praying the prayers of the Spirit is actually being taught and trained by the Spirit of God Himself how to pray according to God’s will, glory to God!
ὠφέλιμος ōphelimos profitable – produce profit, helpful, benefiacial, advantageous
Secondly, it says profitable “for reproof”, but the original Greek word translated reproof is elegchos which means “proof or evidence“.
So the prayers of the Spirit contained in scripture are profitable as proof and evidence. Evidence of the reality of God and the intent of God’s will and purpose for the child of God. They are also the evidence of God’s answer for the very prayer itself that’ll prove that God exists. So within the prayer point of the Spirit is also the evidence and proof of God’s answer to the prayer. You get it? I pray that by the Holy Spirit you get it. It is very important to get that part. Simply put, it means God always answers the prayers of the Spirit when a child of God offers the prayer to God. And that answer can also be located in that very Word of God that makes up the prayer. Incredible!
So if you’re one of those people who say “God never answers my prayers”, then the prayers of the Spirit are for you. If you’ve never received answered prayers from God then, God by His Spirit put these prayer points together for you that you can pray and receive your very own experience of answered prayer.
ἔλεγχος elegchos reproof – proof , evidence
Thirdly, it says “for correction“, the KJV translation here is spot on – correction. That is, correction regarding praying in accordance with His will. Correction in getting you to pray the right way. The prayers of the Spirit also bring correction into your prayer life as you begin to pray the perfect will of God over your life or the lives of others. You don’t have to worry whether you are praying amiss when you engage in praying the prayers of the Holy Spirit.
παιδεία paideia instruction – education, tutorage, training
Fourthly, he says “for instruction” in righteousness. The Greek word translated instruction is paideia which literally means “education, tutorage and training”. That means engaging in the prayers of the Spirit will provide for you an education in the prayers of righteousness hallelujah! The prayers of the Spirit contain evidence of the reality of God and also give you a tutorage in the manifestation of the righteousness of God. Your spiritual prayer posture becomes aligned with righteousness, and your prayers will produce manifestations of the life of righteousness. If they are the prayers of the Spirit, they can only yield and produce in you the expressions and manifestations of the righteousness of God, and also produce the results that are the manifestations of the righteousness of God.
So, these are the benefits of praying the prayers of the Spirit; it activates the working and expression of the righteousness of God in and through you, and also the righteousness of God being enforced impacting people, things and the environment around you. Take advantage of the prayers of the Spirit and see how your life will be catapulted into manifestations of the word of God.
Pray The Word
Heavenly Father, I thank Your for the revelation of the prayers of the Spirit in my life. Thank you Father that as I engage in offering up these prayers that are in accordance with Your will, all your purposes and plans concerning them in and through me are fulfilled in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
Speak The Word
The scriptures are profitable and beneficial for teaching and training me, and for providing proof and evidence of the reality of God and provide for me an education in righteousness.