"Likewise
the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we
should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh
intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
-Romans
8:26 [KJV]
In
all our prayers, in all our approaches to the throne, our mercy and
wisdom will be to seek to possess the mind of the Spirit; to desire
to know the will of God, and do it; to look up more believingly and
continually to the Lord Jesus, that He
Himself
would teach and guide us; that He
would by His
Spirit and grace conform us more inwardly and outwardly to His
suffering image; that He
would grant unto us to know Him
more, and serve Him
better; that our prayers may day by day be more and more fervent,
earnest, and sincere, more spiritual, more in accordance with
the will of God; that thus they may be more and more manifested as
the interceding breath of the Spirit of God in our hearts, and as
such may bring more clear and evident answers down.
Pray
for the manifestation of Christ to your soul, for a revelation of the
Person, blood, righteousness, and love of Jesus; seek to have your
signs and evidences of divine life more cleared up; your Ebenezers
and tokens for good more brightly shone upon; your doubts and fears
more plainly dispelled, and a fuller and sweeter assurance of
personal interest given in the finished work of Christ. Desire also
to have the promises applied to your heart, the word of God brought
with divine power into your conscience, and a living faith raised up
and drawn forth to mix with the truth which you read or hear. Beg, as
the Lord may enable, for submission, patience, resignation,
brokenness, contrition, humility, godly sorrow for sin, heavenly
affections, and that sweet spirituality of mind which is life and
peace. Above all, seek an inward assurance that your prayers are
heard and accepted, and then watch for the answer. This will give you
the surest and best of all evidences that the blessed Spirit is
Himself interceding for you with groanings which cannot be uttered.
-Gospel
report by preacher J.C. Philpot (1802–1869 A.D.)
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