Feb 11 2025 46 mins
In this powerful message from Ephesians 6:18, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson challenges believers to deepen their prayer lives, moving beyond routine prayers to truly praying in the Spirit. He emphasizes that prayer should not be a mere duty but a sweet and precious communion with God, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Sharing his recent struggles with illness, Pastor Johnson illustrates how difficult it can be to pray when we are weak, yet he urges us to fight for time with Christ, refusing to settle for a shallow prayer life. Instead, he calls us to seek a Spirit-led, fervent, and effectual prayer life that transforms our walk with God.
To pray in the Spirit, we must listen intently to three key voices: the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and an informed, sensitive conscience. The Spirit speaks through Scripture, aligning our prayers with God's will. He also convicts, empowers, and leads us as we pray, giving us the faith and passion to approach God boldly. Additionally, a Spirit-shaped conscience helps us discern how to pray and obey God’s leading in our daily lives. Pastor Johnson reminds us that prayer is not just about speaking to God—it is also about listening. When we are sensitive to the Spirit, our prayers become more than empty words; they become powerful, Spirit-filled petitions that align with God’s heart and bring us into true fellowship with Him.
As we seek to grow in prayer, may we daily ask, "Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me." Let us commit to praying in the Spirit, allowing Him to shape our prayers, our desires, and ultimately, our lives.