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“BY THE SPIRIT”

Praying in the Spirit – Part 1

John 14:16–17; Ephesians 1:13–14; Ephesians 2:22; Romans 8:15–27

1. “We” – we cry 

Question: “How does the “we cry” help your life of prayer?”

2. “Cry”

  • ‘kratzo’ – see all NT references below: Matt 14.30; 9:27; Mk 6:49; John 19:12; Luke 19:40
  1. Creation groans – v22
  2. We groan  – v23
  3. Spirit groans – vv26-27

Question: “What life situations have caused you to “cry” to God in the Spirit?”

  • Romans 8:28–29

Question: “How does the “we cry” help your life of prayer?”

3. “Abba”

  • dadda – John 14:23

Question: “How does the “we cry, “Abba”” help your life of prayer?”

4. “Father”

  • Not starting with “Lord” 

Question: “How does the “we cry, “Abba,Father.”, help your life of prayer?”

Conclusion

What does each of these four points mean for you and your ‘group’?

  1. We – communal
  2. Cry – real
  3. Abba – relationship
  4. Father – safe
  • How will you adjust the way you pray as a result of what the Spirit has made possible?
  • Suggestion: Use Romans 8.15 as a prayer frame for a week – “We cry, “Abba, Father.””
  • Do you have questions about the Spirit? Send them to malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

* “Cry” (katzo): Matt. 8:29; 9:27; 14:26, 30; 15:22–23; 20:30–31; 21:9, 15; 27:23, 50; Mark 3:11; 5:5, 7; 9:24, 26; 10:47–48; 11:9; 15:13–14; Luke 4:41; 9:39; 18:39; 19:40; John 1:15; 7:28, 37; 12:44; Acts 7:57, 60; 14:14; 16:17; 19:28, 32, 34; 21:28, 36; 23:6; 24:21; Rom. 8:15; 9:27; Gal. 4:6; James 5:4; Rev. 6:10; 7:2, 10; 10:3; 12:2; 14:15; 18:2, 18–19; 19:17

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John