Text: Matthew 20:20-28

20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.   21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou?  She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.   22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask.   Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?  They say unto him, We are able.   23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with:  but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.   24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.   25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.   26 But it shall not be so among you:  but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;  27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:  28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.      

Wednesday, 14^th August 2024

THE HOLY SPIRIT COMFORTS US THROUGH INTERCESSION 2

Text: Matthew 20:20-28

Memory verse: Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

The Spirit’s intercession means more than just our prayers.  Added to our own prayers, the Holy Spirit Himself prays for us.  “The Spirit itself maketh intercession for us.”  He does not only helps us to make our own prayers, but alongside of our own prayers, He Himself prays.  He adds to our petitions.  He does this because, we need it: “He helpeth our infirmities.”  The idea of infirmities is that we have a weakness.  What is that weakness?  That “we know not what to pray for as we ought.”  Our weakness is that we do not always know what to pray.

We should see how specific this is.  Our weakness is not that we do not know how to pray.  The believer knows how to pray.  For example, as a Christian, you have learned the Lord’s Prayer that is a pattern for your prayer-life.  You know that in prayer you should come before God with reverence.  You know that you should pray in the name of Jesus Christ, that God’s blessings do not come to us apart from faith in Jesus Christ.  The believer knows how to pray.

The believer knows also when to pray.  We do not pray as often as we should.  So, we know that we should pray more frequently.  And the believer knows that when he is in need he should look up to God in prayer for help.  We know how to pray, and we know when to pray.  But when we come to prayer, we do not always know exactly what to pray, we do not always know exactly what to ask of God.

CGDS HYMN 6; SS&S 201:

SPIRIT DIVINE, ATTEND OUR   PRAYER

1. Spirit divine, attend our prayers,

and make this house thy home;

descend with all thy gracious powers,

come, great Spirit, come!

2. Come as the light; to us reveal

our emptiness and woe,

and lead us in those paths of life

whereon the righteous go.

3. Come as the fire and purge our hearts

like sacrificial flame;

let our whole soul an offering be

to our Redeemer's Name.

4. Come as the dove, and spread thy wings,

the wings of peaceful love;

and let thy Church on earth become

blest as the Church above.

5. Come as the dew and sweetly bless

this consecrated hour;

may barrenness rejoice to own

thy fertilizing power.

6. Spirit divine, attend our prayers,

make a lost world thy home;

descend with all thy gracious powers;

come, great Spirit, come!

 Prayers 

1.  Holy Spirit, do not top interceding for me in prayers.

2.  LORD God Almighty, I depend on Your Spirit to make intercession for me with groanings that cannot be uttered in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3. Pray for others in this regard.