True Prayer from the New Testament Perspective
Romans 8:26-27 "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. 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."
Topic |
Description |
Explanation |
Relevant Complete Scripture |
---|---|---|---|
Prayer is communion between God and man |
Prayer is not only man reaching out to God, but also God reaching out to man |
True prayer is a two-way communication between God and man, like an electric current flowing back and forth |
Romans 8:26-27 "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. 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." |
The Spirit's intercession |
The Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us |
We don't know how to pray, but the Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express |
|
Two-layered prayer |
True prayer is the Spirit expressing God's heart through man |
Outwardly it appears as man praying, but inwardly it's the Spirit praying within and with man |
James 5:17 "Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years." |
Praying according to God's will |
The Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will |
True prayer is God praying through His Spirit within us, expressing God's heart |
Romans 8:27 "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." |
The highest definition of prayer |
Mutual contact between God and man |
The highest level of prayer enables mutual communication and connection between God and man |
While there's no direct scripture quote, this concept is based on a deep understanding of Romans 8:26-27 and spiritual experience |
This table summarizes the key points discussed earlier and provides the relevant complete scriptures in English. It's worth noting that while the "highest definition of prayer" doesn't have a direct scripture quote, it's a conclusion drawn from a deep interpretation of the Bible, especially Romans 8:26-27, and spiritual insight.
*Please refer to the 2024 Memorial Day Conference - The Christian Life, Week Four: Abiding in Christ, the True Vine