But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. —Jude 1:20–21
There are many interpretations of what it means to pray in the Holy Spirit, ranging from praying in tongues to groaning in the Spirit. But I believe the point is not so much the method but the manner of prayer. Jude mentions keeping ourselves in the love of God and looking for mercy in Jesus for eternal life.
Along with studying the Word, we can build up our most holy faith another way, and that is by having a truly spiritual prayer time. That may sound obvious, but has your prayer time ever looked much like a to-do list for God or a Christmas wish list for Santa? If so, you’re not alone.
I love how the apostle John introduces the Revelation of Jesus Christ he received while on the island of Patmos. John says in Revelation 1:10, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet.” This is the heart of what Jude is saying: in your prayer time, do you hear from the Lord, or do you just drop Him a laundry list of things to do for you? That is not going to build up your most holy faith!
I believe Jude is saying that prayer is a spiritual experience in which humanity and eternity will intersect until we see Him face-to-face. When a time of prayer includes hearing from God and not just speaking to God, then that time will build faith. Prayer takes time, and like most other things, we get out of it exactly what we put into it. Did you wait to hear God’s answers to your prayers today or His instruction for the day? Or was your prayer time like mine is at times: Heavenly Father, do this for me, protect me from that, and give me these things because I ask them in Jesus’ name. Amen, see You later?
Kind of convicting reading it, but it’s true for all of us. Can we characterize our prayer times as “in the Spirit”? If not, we are missing out on some good stuff, including getting to know more about God, His love and mercy, and even the glory of eternal life. Take time to pray is good counsel; take your time in prayer is even better!
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