In Romans Paul shares some of the most mystical words in the Bible; “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. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27)

This “know not what we should pray for as we ought:” in the Spirit goes much further then just our communication (our prayers) with God for the things we need from Him. In the Psalms David shares these words, “ 4Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psalms 37:4) This is a great example of progressive truth and of the Spirit helping “our infirmities” by praying for the things we know not. Now prayer is an amazing and mysterious function of God. I will be honest I do not know how it all works, but I do know we must not spend our prayers (direct communication with God) on our self. God’s intention in our prayers is for us to spend our time praying for other’s needs not ours. The word “Delight” has nothing to do with being happy or joyful in God. For those who have walked with the Lord some time know there is not much joy and happiness associated with spiritual growth and development. Joy and happiness comes out of doing God’s will. This word “Delight” (in the Greek) means: pliable, moldable, bendable, like clay in the potter’s hands. Become “pliable, moldable, bendable, like clay in the potter’s hands in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of thine heart.” If we can become pliable, moldable, bendable, like clay in the potter’s hands God, who looks at our heart and knows the things we will ask before we pray (Matthew 6:8), will give us “the desire of thine heart” according to His will. The Spirit of God knows what we need and as we pray for others and become pliable, moldable, bendable, like clay in the potter’s hands God’s Spirit will give us what we need. Thus the spiritual principle of receiving from God is not the asking, but the praying for others and becoming pliable, moldable, bendable, like clay in the potter’s hands. Now this application of God’s Spirit functioning in our lives goes deep into our spiritual life, into the depths of our “hearts,” even into the knowledge of the “mind of the Spirit . . . according to the will of God” for our lives, and my friends into the preaching of the Word of God.

I just returned from two and one half weeks of ministry in India . On my way over this trip God reminded me of my first trip to India back in 2001. I had a marvelous time sharing the Gospel from village to village. God never sends me to the fancy places the capital cities, oh no God sends me to where the real people are and where the real hurt, hunger, and despair of the nation is, but also where the hunger and thirst for God’s word is. Jesus never had much time for the big cities, He too always seemed to do much better in the villages with the people. When He would go into the big cities He would get into trouble, me too. After two weeks of ministering, in spite of exhaustion and dehydration from the intense heat and diarrhea from my diet, I was waiting before the Lord for what to share that night at the crusade during my last opportunity this trip before heading home in the morning. I remember saying, Lord this is my last shot at them please give me something powerful. As I laid down on the bed God took me to John 4:1-26, where Jesus had an loving encounter with a Samaria woman who was living in adultery. I told the Lord please, give me something powerful, I do not want to share on this topic this is my last opportunity this trip I need something powerful. A second time He drew me to John 4:1-26, and a second time I resisted these verses by saying, I need something powerful to share with them, this is my final opportunity don’t you understand? A third time (I do not believe there would have been a fourth time or another trip to India if I would not have surrendered) God drew me to John 4:1-26, this time I submitted and allowed God to open some thoughts from these verses. During the crusade when I shared the Word I felt God wanted for the night it was like pulling teeth, it took all that I had they just sat there and looked at me with no expression or emotion on their face. When I gave the alter call no one came forward they just sat there looking at me. I thought to myself, I have failed I missed it in God. I departed the next morning excited to see my family, but in my spirit I was troubled. When I got home I checked my email and sent one to Pastor S.J. Peter informing him I arrived home safe and sound. On his reply, and to my utter bewilderment, he thanked me for the powerful message I shared at the crusade. Little did I know the churches in attendance that night were wife swapping, seemed they picked this ungodly practice up from some churches in the States. I did not know the situation going on, but God did and by His Spirit He knew, by His Spirit; 27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:27) My message that night brought great correction to the churches and they turned from their sin and was restored back to fellowship with God and could now look their fellow Brothers and Sisters in the eye again without shame in their hearts. I too learned a very valuable lesson to go along with the Lord, the first time, when He lays a burden on me. For it is by His Spirit we share His words and thoughts for people, not by our Bible School intellect and polished speaking skills. Oh no my friend, “not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord.” (Zechariah 4:6) Not by our upward mental ascent into theory and doctrine or our emotional decent into our soul whereby we are stirred by our feelings to be moved into an emotional experience, but it is by God’s Spirit we minister the Word of God unto life for all those who will receive. Sadly many ministers of the Word today are unwilling to pay the price to be able to minister by the Spirit of God. The broken and contrite (crushed and ground to powder) in spirit alone are useful to God and alone can minister light and life to a dark and dying world. And sadly this is why many churches have lost their effectiveness to reach those around them in the world. Preachers and ministers try to share the message of the Gospel; the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ from their personality and abilities, thus excluding the power of the Holy Spirit and His ability to minister the things we know not, but is needed to touch the heart and lives of people.

Brethren let us get back to ministering by the Spirit. Let us turn from our self-exalting, ambitious ways and humble ourselves before a loving and caring God. Let us once again allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us the things we know not, but is needed to once again draw men and woman to God through Christ Jesus. Let us minister by the Spirit, “not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord.” (Zechariah 4:6) For it is by God’s Spirit there is life and God’s will is accomplished on earth and in Heaven.