Does the Holy Spirit Pray for Us?
Allowing the Holy Spirit to pray for us is one of the most powerful spiritual weapons we have as Christians. The Holy Spirit is a priceless gift Who will never be taken away from us.
The primary way that the Holy Spirit prays for us is through a heavenly prayer language, sometimes referred to as praying in tongues or praying in the Spirit. This language is given to a believer upon receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Over the years, I have learned how to let the Holy Spirit pray for me. I do not have to rely on my own knowledge; I can tap into the wisdom of God by allowing the Holy Spirit to lead my prayer times. And what a difference this makes in the outcome!
How Does the Holy Spirit Pray for Us?
The Holy Spirit prays for us by inspiring us to pray certain things in our native language, by using our heavenly prayer language, or with groanings that cannot be uttered.
There are many times in our Christian walk when we do not know what we should pray. Perhaps you are feeling a certain negative emotion and can’t shake it. A good thing to do is pray in the Spirit, or tongues as it is often referred to. The Holy Spirit knows what is at the root of those funky emotions and can pray effectively.
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26
The Holy Spirit has full knowledge of God’s good plan for your life- your divine destiny. As you pray in the Spirit, He is able to pray those things out. The Holy Spirit is praying the perfect will of God for you. The Bible says that when you pray in tongues, you are edifying and building up yourself.
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 1 Corinthians 14:4
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Jude 1:20
We don’t always know what lies ahead, but the Holy Spirit does. He is the Spirit of God, and knows all things. He may be praying about your future or about a trial that is looming and will tell you things to come.
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 16:13
The Holy Spirit will also inspire you to pray certain things in your native language. There have been times where I was awoken in the night with a strong urge to pray for someone. The Holy Spirit is the one inspiring this. Many times He will give me the words in English or I will pray in tongues.
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— Ephesians 6:18
Many times when you are ministering to someone, you will feel inspired to pray about something specific in their life. This is the Holy Spirit inspiring this. For example, you may see the word “heart” in your imagination and know that you should pray for their heart. The Holy Spirit will inspire the words that you should pray.
Do We Need the Laying on of Hands to Receive the Holy Spirit?
In the Bible we see the Holy Spirit being given by the laying on of hands. This is one way to receive the Holy Spirit, but not the only way. You can also receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit simply by asking, just like you did when you received salvation.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! Luke 11:13
You may be in a place where you don’t have any Spirit-filled believers to lay hands on you. That’s OK. The Holy Spirit is a gift given to any born again person who asks. You do not have< to have anyone lay hands on you. Simply ask the Father for this gift, believing that you will receive when you ask.
Does Jesus Pray for Us?
In John 17, Jesus prayed for those who would believe in Him through the word of the first disciples. That’s you and me! Whatever Jesus prays, we can be certain it is accomplished.
I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; John 17:20
Jesus prayed that we would be one in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Wow!
that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. <>John 17:21
Then He says that the very same glory that God gave to Him, He has given to us!
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.John 17:22-23
Jesus goes on to pray that we would be with Him where He is and behold His glory. He prays that the very same love that God loves Jesus with would be in us! Just amazing!
Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them. John 17:24-26
I encourage you to meditate on this prayer that Jesus prayed for you. It has all been accomplished! As you meditate on these words of truth, they will come alive inside you and you can experience this reality!
How Does Jesus Make Intercession for Us?
Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25 tell us that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us.
…He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25
It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34
What does this mean that Jesus makes intercession for us? Under the New Covenant, Jesus is our eternal High Priest.
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. >Hebrews 4:14
When we understand what the high priests in the Old Covenant did, we can get a picture of what Jesus does for us today.
In the Old Covenant, the high priests would enter the Holy of Holies where the presence of God was, to make intercession for the people. One of the sacrifices the high priest would make was a bird offering, a picture of our prayers to the Lord.
The high priest would remove the bird’s feathers before presenting it as a sacrifice. In the same way, Jesus has removed all your sin, imperfections and flaws through His finished work. He has replaced it with His perfection, love, and faith. Now you stand before the Father completely righteous. This is how Jesus makes intercession for you. Wow!
You can trust that Jesus is interceding for you in prayer as well, and even ask Him to do so when you don’t have the words to say. When Jesus intercedes for you, you can be absolutely certain that those prayers will come to pass! Jesus does not have any doubt or unbelief to hinder the results of His prayers. With Jesus interceding on your behalf, you can’t lose!