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I Will Pray with the Spirit By J O H N.B U N Y A N. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. |
ON PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT.
"I WILL PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT, AND I WILL PRAY WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO"—(I
Cor 14:15).
RAYER is an ORDINANCE of God, and that to be used both in public
and private; yea, such an ordinance as brings those that have the spirit of supplication
into great familiarity with God; and is also so prevalent in action, that it getteth
of God, both for the person that prayeth, and for them that are prayed for, great
things.[5] It is the opener of the heart of God, and a means by which the soul, though
empty, is filled. By prayer the Christian can open his heart to God, as to a friend,
and obtain fresh testimony of God's friendship to him. I might spend many words in
distinguishing between public and private prayer; as also between that in the heart,
and that with the vocal voice. Something also might be spoken to distinguish between
the gifts and graces of prayer; but eschewing this method, my business shall be at
this time only to show you the very heart of prayer, without which, all your lifting
up, both of hands, and eyes, and voices, will be to no purpose at all. "I will
pray with the Spirit."
The method that I shall go on in at this time shall be, FIRST. To show you what true
prayer is. SECOND. To show you what it is to pray with the Spirit. THIRD. What it
is to pray with the Spirit and understanding also. And so, FOURTHLY. To make some
short use and application of what shall be spoken.
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