(Romans 8:26) We do not know what to pray for.

 This statement by the apostle Paul is true, because our lives are often full of complexities and uncertainties. We are at a loss to know what to pray for, things are just too unclear. We can read from a prayer book, but we do not know what to pray for from our hearts.

Paul’s statement, however, is not one of hopelessness, because he emphasizes that the Holy Spirit guides us in prayer.

Sometimes when we are thinking about something, or are simply sitting silent before God, the Holy Spirit moves on our spirit with a thought, a few words, or an impression that brings clarity and a freedom to pray something in confidence.

Over the decades of following Jesus Christ, I have grown in this Spirit-led type of prayer. I often sit before the Lord in meditation with a confidence that the Holy Spirit will lead me to pray according to the will of God.

From my experience, it is Spirit-led prayer that is effective and produces results in the kingdom of God.

As we become more mature in Christ, the more confident we are in being led by the Holy Spirit in what to pray. Often, I receive a thought (one different than my normal thoughts), and I immediately begin to pray what I am sensing.

As I begin praying, the flow of my prayer increases in depth and meaning. I am not simply repeating words from a religious duty, but I am in relational unity with the mind of God through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Christians pray in many different ways are all valid. And yet, I encourage all of us to continue to mature in our Christian lives, and grow in Spirit-led prayer.