Praying in the Holy Ghost

Posted Oct 13, 2011 by Bana Puru in Christian Life Style

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In my early beginnings of receiving the message of the Father and the Son, there was some promotion of praying to the Holy Ghost as a separate individual personage as the Father and the Son are. I had conversed with an honest and well respected minister who had promoted that it was legitimate to pray to the Holy Ghost. As our discussions furthered, it was clear that there was no written evidence from the Bible and the SOP to ordain such teachings. The Promotion of this teaching was concluded to be evidenced by other mature Christians who did not see it wrong, and there was no where in scripture to say that you can't pray to the Holy Ghost.

To go of the logic as to it is not written, and therefore we can ......, goes against the Sword of the Spirit and the Written Word. We must use a "thus saith the Lord" or "it is written" to justify why we believe in what we believe in. "How readest thou" or "what is written in the Law" was the familiar words of our Lord. Anything outside of this is but speculation, which leads to deceit and destruction.

As I endeavoured to search on this topic, this is what was revealed to me:

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 1:20-21 (Emphasis added: italics)

What we see in the above text is that “…praying in the Holy Ghost…” is of the opposite of the teaching of “…praying to the Holy Ghost..." as a separate individual personage. Here we find something far exceeding more valuable of “…praying in the Holy Ghost…” rather than what some of our brethren teach and believe“…praying to the Holy Ghost…”

When I read “…praying in the Holy ghost…” I asked the Lord the question, what does that mean to pray in the Holy Ghost? My mind was cast to the following pages, in the book of John, when the Master said this to his disciples:

“If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:14

^"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7

"... Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." John 16:23-24

What does it mean to ask in the name of the Lord? Does it mean that we are to use the name of Jesus at the end of each prayer, hoping that when we do this the Lord will answer? Or is there a far more exceeding great truth to the meaning asking in his name? Is there a connection between praying in the Holy Ghost and asking in “…my name”?

When we get a glimpse and a true understanding as to the name of the Lord, only then can know what it means to ask in his name, or pray in the Holy Ghost.

The question then lies with this, what is the name of the Lord?

When Moses requested for the Lord to show him his Glory, this is what happened:

The word of God reveals His character. He Himself has declared His infinite love and pity. When Moses prayed, "Show me Thy glory," the Lord answered, "I will make all My goodness pass before thee." Exodus 33:18, 19. This is His glory. The Lord passed before Moses, and proclaimed, "The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin." Exodus 34:6, 7. He is "slow to anger, and of great kindness," "because He delighteth in mercy." Jonah 4:2; Micah 7:18. (Steps to Christ p. 10)

What we see here is that the name of the Lord is his glory, and that his character is revealed in his Word. The goodness of God, his love and compassion, his tenderness and fatherly care, all speak in behalf of his holy name. When we come to him in his name, what we are doing is coming to the Lord in the Loveliness of Jesus, Jesus being the expressed image of the Fathers person. When we pray in the Holy Ghost, what we are asking is not so much placing the name Jesus at the end of each prayer, but rather we come with the lowliness, and the meekness of the Saviours person.

If we come to the Lord in prayer with an angry, envious, hatred and judgemental spirit, who are we reflecting? It is written; by their fruits you will know them. But if we come to our Father in a meek and lowly Spirit, then friends we are coming to the Great God of the Universe in the name of the Lord.

To illustrate this truth, we see it in the story of the two men praying in the temple. One was self righteous, relying on his own wealth and merits, the other had nothing to rely on, but realised his worthlessness. One boosted of his own glory and righteous acts, where as the other could barely lift his eyes to heaven. The One who exalted himself went away only receiving the word that came out of his mouth, whereas the one who was humble, receive the peace that passeth all understanding. The difference was not in the temple that they were worshiping, but rather in the persons that were worshiping in the temple.

The man, who had a humble heart, was praying in the Holy Ghost or in the Name of the Lord. His selfless spirit reflected him whom the penitent sinner longed for. His prayer had come before the father, and in the nature of his request, the Heavenly Father delighted. This was far more contrasting, than the spirit of the man who thought he needed nothing.

When we begin to understand "...praying in the Holy Ghost...” we begin to realise that salvation is outside of us, and not by us or of ourselves. We really need a saviour. The blessing is, is this promise...

^"Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." 1John 3:1-2

To be called a child of God is far exceeding more value than to be Called a Registered Nurse, or some other occupied position. When we know whom we come from and see that we do indeed have a "Dad" in heaven who loves us, as he does with his only begotten Son Jesus, what more can a child ask for? Is not this the most privilege gift a child could ever desire?

As Jesus came forth from the waters and the father’s audible voice was spoken to mankind for the first time after his fall, what did he say? Did he say "you are a well behaved person" or "Man you are great"? Did he say "You are Mighty and All powerful"? No, the first words was this "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." As Man's representative, and as a man, Jesus stood spotless to receive this blessing. There fore we see the value of the previous promise:

Pray in the Holy Ghost is synonymous to asking in "...his name...", and coming to the Father in the Loveliness of Jesus. Do we reflect the Lovely Image of Jesus as we should? Is that great work that needs to be done for us happening in the left over time that there is? This is the soul’s eternal question (EW p64).

When we are praying in the Holy Ghost, asking in his name, and have Christ abiding and living in us; by his Word and by his Sprit, Only then, by the faith of the Son of God, take hold of the following promise as our own…

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 1: 24-25