Supplication in the Spirit

EPHESIANS 6:18,19
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Paul said to pray always.

Then he said to pray with all prayer. There are different types of prayer. One type of prayer Paul mentioned is 'supplication in the Spirit'.

There is such a thing as supplication in the Spirit. Supplication in the Spirit is when the Holy Spirit leads us into a special time of supplication, for a specific person, for a special purpose. Supplication in the Spirit is one form of prayer which we can make ourselves available for.

One way the Holy Spirit may lead us to make supplication, is in an unknown tongue. Another way is with our understanding. Another way is a combination of both. The Holy Spirit makes intercession for the saints with groanings that cannot be uttered. When we make ourself available, the Spirit, who knows the mind of God, helps us when we are humanly unable to know what to pray for as we ought.

One thing we can sometimes be led of the Spirit to supplicate for is that a certain person whom God has called into the ministry will be granted utterance.

Another thing we can be led of the Spirit to supplicate for is that a certain minister may speak as he ought - for example, that he may speak boldly.

We can be led by the Spirit - we can supplicate in and with the the Spirit - that God can enable a certain minister, or ministry or church to do what God wills for him to do as he ought to do it.

Examples: a small number of ladies prayed-in the 1879 revival which impacted Ireland; Evan Roberts prayed-in the 1904 revival. They were led of the Spirit, and prayed in the Spirit and with the Spirit for revival - and it happened.

Another lady prayed for a full-Gospel church to start in every town - and it came to pass.

Another thing we can supplicate for is all saints. The Spirit can lead us to pray with the Spirit - to pray-out a perfect plan of God - for any particular saint, or group of saints. Sometimes while we pray in the Spirit, He will impress upon our minds a knowledge of God's will. Other times, we may pray instead in an unknown tongue.

Then Paul said to watch unto the same with all perseverance. This kind of prayer may require watching and perseverance. There is another kind of prayer which does not.

For example, if you are believing something for yourself, something which you desire, and you ask and believe you have received it, then you shall receive it - there is no necessity for watching in the same thing. You just know that you've received it. That's the prayer of asking - for yourself - for something that you desire.

But 'supplication in the Spirit' for all saints - or for a specific minister or church - requires watching because there is more involved than just your own faith and your own ability to receive from God. You're dealing with another person or persons. They have their own will, struggles, trials, temptations and faith. They can have their ups and downs which you cannot control directly any more than you have the right to tell another person how he must arrange the furniture in his house.

When it's something you are asking for for yourself, you can pray and believe you receive it and you shall have it - no watching required. But when it comes to supplicating for others, we can't control what they do, therefore watching is required - an awareness of progress - even an awareness at times of the devil's schemes, is required.

And that takes perseverance. Sometimes the devil does hinder - through no fault of our own; and sometimes through no fault of the person we are praying for either. Sometimes it takes time before Satan is bruised underfoot of a certain Christian community. Nevertheless if we persevere in watching and persevere in all types and occasions of supplication in the Spirit for all saints, we can successfully partner with God in seeing His specific will accomplished - for, in and through one of His people whom we are supplicating for.

Make yourself available to the Spirit on-purpose for this type of prayer. You may even see the results with your own eyes!