Devotions - Read Online
Wednesday | 14 November 2018
In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul explained that, as we pray in the Spirit, we progress from not knowing how or what to pray, to praying with understanding. He wrote, ‘For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.’ 1Co 14:14‑15.
Having begun to pray in the Spirit, we are enabled to pray with understanding. This is how the fire ignites the incense of worship with thanksgiving. It demonstrates that we have obtained grace through prayer in the Spirit. As Paul explained, ‘For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.’ 2Co 4:15.
Thanksgiving is also the fruit of faith, which is demonstrated by obedience. Rom 16:26. Jas 2:17. Paul exhorted believers to be ‘established in the faith … abounding in it with thanksgiving’. Col 2:7. As the Holy Spirit enables our prayer, we are able to speak by faith and to proceed to walk by faith in the fellowship of Christ’s offering and circumcision. The fruit of faith obedience is thanksgiving, which abounds to God in the midst of every circumstance of our day.
In this regard, our worship is our own prayer. We are praying with understanding and thanksgiving. This is how we become the incense, and part of the great cloud of witnesses who are journeying with Christ. Our expression as incense becomes a ministry to others as we continue in the fellowship of Christ’s offering throughout the day. 2Co 2:15‑16. This is also an aspect of praying at all times in the Spirit. Eph 6:18.
Further Study:
Revelation 1
Daily Proverb:
References:
1Co 14:14-15
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.
2Co 4:15
For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.
Rom 16:26
But now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith.
Jas 2:17
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
Col 2:7
Having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
2Co 2:15-16
For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?
Eph 6:18
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.