STEPS TO FAITH

WHY PRAY? LED OF THE SPIRIT		STEP 3   PRACTICING PRAYER
BIBLE READING WHY PRAY? Led of the Spirit Read John 3:1–13 Verse 8: "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." Jesus is telling Nicodemus that a man must be born again in order to be saved. This was a foreign spiritual concept for that time. The only way Nicodemus could understand "being born again" was in a physical sense. Jesus explained that the Spirit of God and those born of the Spirit cannot be figured out by the natural mind. This is also stated in 1 Corinthians 2:11b, "even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." We need the Spirit of God to live within us! What the Spirit tells us to do may not make sense to the natural mind, but we will always find out that it is exactly what needs to be done. Let’s say you are about to go out the door to shoot some baskets, and the Spirit may lay it on your heart to call your friend, Jim, to encourage him. Your natural mind may say, "I really would rather play basketball right now. This may be the only chance I will get today to do it. Surely I can call Jim another day." But, let’s assume you had your prayer time that morning, and you had the strength and godly perspective to overcome the barriers of your own desires, and you call Jim anyway. Upon calling Jim, you find out that he had a really rough day and was feeling especially discouraged. Your call is just what he needed to get him back on track. Your heart is filled with joy and thanksgiving that God was able to lead you and use you in His work. This is how the Spirit of God is: not reasonable to our natural minds, but always leading us to what is needed!		Practicing Prayer List here how the Spirit of God moved in ways contrary to the natural mind: Jericho (Josh. 6:6–20)   Gideon (Judg. 7:1–7,19–21)   Lazarus (John 11:1–46)   Catching fish (Luke 5:4–11)   Take a moment to thank the Lord that His ways are higher than our ways!   This is part of the adventure of walking with God, not knowing what the Spirit may ask us to do next. We know it will always be something good! Learning to pray will help us to be more in tune with the Spirit. The salvation or encouragement of others may hinge on our prayers.   Dear Lord, Help me to open up myself to Your ways and Your Spirit. Teach me to put aside my own pre–conceived ideas and listen to that still small voice of Your Spirit. Thank You for sending your Spirit to lead us. (Finish with any petitions that may be on your heart.) Amen.   Helpful Hint: One way the Spirit can lead us is through direction we receive from our authorities. When your parents give counsel, take it as from the Spirit! When your youth pastor asks for volunteers to pray a prayer, take it as direction from the Holy Spirit and do it!