The Spirit Empowers Prayer

Read: Isaiah 59:20-21
Listen: Isaiah 59

This year in Beyond the Weekend, journey through different biblical models of prayer—one each month. February’s focus is The Spirit’s Help in Prayer.

“As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the LORD. Isaiah 59:21

Isaiah prophesies to Israel as they long for rescue. They face the consequences of sin and cry for God’s intervention. God promises a Redeemer will come. He makes a covenant promise that changes everything—the Spirit will remain with his people permanently. Unlike the Old Testament pattern where the Spirit came upon certain people for specific tasks and then departed, this new covenant promises the Spirit will never leave. God’s words will be on their lips continually. He promises transformation from the inside out. God’s people will have direct access to his presence and his words.

We live in the fulfillment of God’s promise. Through faith in Jesus, the Redeemer who came to rescue us from sin and death, the Holy Spirit now dwells in believers permanently. The Spirit helps us pray by giving us words aligned with God’s heart. He empowers our prayers with God’s own words and desires. When we don’t know what to pray, the Spirit prompts us. When we open God’s Word, the Spirit illuminates truth and shows us how to pray. His constant presence means we can pray with confidence, knowing he’s actively helping us communicate with the Father.

TODAY: As you pray, thank God that his Spirit lives in you permanently and will never leave. Ask the Spirit to give you his words as you pray and to align your heart with God’s desires.