What it is to Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding
Our Study of Paul Bunyan's book on prayer continues
This is Part 3 of our study of A Discourse Touching Prayer, which began with a look at What Prayer Is: What [true] prayer is. Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God hath promised, or according to the Word, for the good of the church, with submission, in faith, to the will of God. Find Part 2 Here
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Now we turn our attention to:
Praying with the Understanding
Paul, (1 Corinthians 14:15) puts a clear distinction between praying with the Spirit, and praying with the Spirit and understanding: therefore when he saith, "he will pray with the Spirit," he adds, "and I will pray with the understanding ALSO."
The Corinthians prayed with the Spirit only and for themselves. They neglected to edify others. While the use of the extraordinary gifts was excellent, “yet to do what they did to the edification of the church was more excellent.”
The apostle writes, "if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding," and also the understanding of others, "is unfruitful" Therefore, "I will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also."
Praying with understanding is more effective praying, because we know for what we are praying. For example, Paul prayed for the Colossians, that God would fill them "with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Colossians 1:9). And for the Ephesians, that God would give unto them "the spirit of wisdom and revelation, in the knowledge of him" (Ephesians 1:17). And so for the Philippians, that God would make them abound "in knowledge, and in all judgment" (Philippians 1:9).
According to Bunyan, a suitable understanding is good in everything we undertake, both in material or spiritual matters. Thus it should be desired by all of us who would be a praying people.
For the making of right prayers, it is to be required that there should be a good or spiritual understanding in all them who pray to God.
First. To pray with understanding, is to pray as being instructed by the Spirit in the understanding of the want of those things which the soul is to pray for. This understanding is an understanding of spiritual things
Second. Spiritual understanding [is to see] in the heart of God a readiness and willingness to give those things to the soul that it stands in need of. Understanding what is in the heart of God—to save souls; a knowing what He wants to give.
Third. The understanding being spiritually enlightened, discovered, through which the soul should come unto God; which gives great encouragement. Understanding gives guidance on coming to the Lord in prayer, how to begin and proceed.
Fourth. The enlightened understanding sees largeness enough in the promises to encourage it to pray; which still adds to it strength to strength. Knowing what is offered encourages the understanding soul to seek spiritual blessings through prayer.
Fifth. The understanding being enlightened, way is made for the soul to come to God with suitable arguments. Some in a manner of pleading for a cause or course of action; or of supplication that moves the heart of God.
Sixth. An understanding well enlightened is of admirable use also, both as to the matter and manner of prayer. Knowing first-hand the misery, or good and evil, crying out from the depths of soul.
Seventh. It is necessary that there be an enlightened understanding, to the end that the soul be kept in a continuation of the duty of prayer. The devil lies to us about our praying, that it is of no use, we are no good at it, we only pretend to pray. And we are discouraged from praying, tempted to think the Lord has forgotten us. But the understanding prayer says he will not stop but keep on steadfastly.
Here Bunyan asks and answers several questions. The second objection is but when I go into secret, and intend to pour out my soul before God, I can scarce say anything at all.
His answer comes in three parts, here we outline the third. This paragraph provides guidance on deepening one's expression in prayer before God:
Understand Your State: Reflect on your own sinful nature and acknowledge it before the Lord.
Consider God's Promises: Familiarize yourself with the promises of God found in scripture.
Focus on Christ's Heart: Reflect on the compassion and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Recognize His willingness to extend mercy even to the greatest sinners.
Recognize Christ's condescension and the shedding of His blood for humanity.
Reflect on the mercy He has shown to great sinners in the past.
In your prayers:
Express sorrow for your own sinfulness.
Appeal to Christ's sacrifice and mercy.
Keep in mind the promises of grace God has made.
However, remember:
Avoid merely reciting empty words.
Understand that God looks beyond words to the sincerity of your heart.
Whether your prayers are short or long, ensure they come from a genuine heart.
By following this advice, you will sincerely seek and find God when you pray with your whole heart.
Thank you so much, grace and peace to you…