Holy Spirit, and prayer

The Holy Spirit intercedes for God's people and also prompts their petitions, supplications and thanksgivings.

The Holy Spirit enables God's children to address him as ``Abba''

Romans 8:15 See also Galatians 4:6

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

The role of the Holy Spirit in prayer

He prompts supplication

Zechariah 12:10 “a spirit” (NIV text) or “the Spirit” (NIV footnote).

Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

He inspires prayers of praise

Luke 10:21 See also Ephesians 5:18–20

At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.

He inspires praying in tongues

Acts 2:4 See also Acts 10:44–46, Acts 19:6; 1 Corinthians 14:14–18

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

He intercedes for believers

Romans 8:26–27

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

The evidence of the Holy Spirit's work prompts praise and thanks

1 Thessalonians 1:2–5 See also Acts 11:15–18

We always thank God for all of you, remembering you in our prayers and continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Brothers who are beloved by God, we know that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction — just as you know we lived among you for your sake.

Believers are exhorted to pray in the Spirit

Ephesians 6:18–20 See also Jude 1:20

Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should.

The love of the Holy Spirit is a motive for prayer

Romans 15:30–32 See also Luke 11:13; Acts 8:14–17

Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.