Lenten Series: In Need of The Helper
Lent is a liturgical observance and season of reflection; not a biblical mandate. It is simply a time to remind ourselves and appreciate the abundant grace of Christ’s saving work on the cross. It is a time to press in deeper in submission to Christ’s authority as we prepare our hearts to celebrate, with exceedingly great joy, the resurrection that awaits every believer and follower.
In our Lenten daily devotionals, we will focus on our spiritual needs and desires and how the Helper is our Gift for strength and success if we will bow in greater submission to the authority of our King and the terms of His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit.
Reflection: Teaching Me to Pray, Pt I
Digging for Truth: Prayer is the honest communication of love and faith between ourselves and God. Certainly, God knows all about our needs long before we pray, but God desires for us to pursue and seek him in order to commune with him; prayer reveals our sincere dependence upon our Helper. Prayer is necessary when it comes to the will of God. In Scripture, Christ modeled prayer perfectly and let’s not forget the Spirit was upon him to be his Helper. When Jesus wanted to discern the will of the Father, he prayed and when he acted by faith on the Father’s will, the Spirit provided the power to accomplish it.
Grace for the Heart: The disciples saw how prayer worked with Christ and his communication with the Father, as well as how the Spirit moved to answer those requests. Therefore, the disciples came to Jesus and asked him to teach them how to pray and communicate with the Father in order to get the same results. Scripture teaches us how to pray, as well (Matthew 6:9-13).
Romans 8:26, 27 NLT 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Challenge: The Spirit helps us to pray in righteousness, so we need to recognize our limitations as we petition God and ask for the Spirit to intercede for us.
Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; they kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from the evil one. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.