I have not read in the Scripture that we are NOT to pray to the Holy Spirit. But I also do not recall a verse that tells us to pray to Him either. We are told to pray in the Spirit, and that the Spirit prays with us, as ELB pointed out. Jesus instructed the disciples to ask the Father for anything in His own name (Jesus) and we would receive what we asked for. With all this said, I do think it is fine to pray to the Holy Spirit, asking Him to continue to fill us up to overflowing, to help us when we feel weak so we can overcome a sinful temptation, or any other need we may have. It seems to me that in the Word that the Spirit's desire is to point us to Jesus, and Jesus's desire is to point us to the Father. But we can pray in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit in our petitions or address our prayer to any of these three Person in One God, or we can just pray to God (as an all-encompassing address.
GiGi, I believe you're correct (as also shared by ELB), in saying that there's no Scriptural warrant for believers to pray to the Holy Spirit - at least not declared in the Scriptures. Though, in my understanding of the Nature & Work of the Spirit in comforting, teaching, guiding, convicting, interceding, etc., it seems quite appropriate, even compelling, for us to also talk to Him, as the Holy One sent to indwell us fully, being 'completely at home' with our regenerated spirits. In fact, I can't think of any other that has such a close affinity to the child of God, Who is constantly engaged (24/7) in sustaining us in the spirit of holiness & unbroken connection to the Father.
Yet, in John 16:13,14, we are reminded that the Spirit does "not speak of himself" (in Greek: 'not speak from himself'), indicating His continual connection to the Father brings forth God's Words to the believer, or to those to whom the believer is speaking to 'in the spirit'. And verse 14, that "He shall glorify me" (Jesus), again indicating that the Spirit in His Ministry never brings the focus & glory to Himself, but to the Father & Son. All very mysterious to the natural mind, but held precious to the one walking in the Spirit & holding faith in God & His Word.
Rich, you don't pray to the Holy Spirit, but you pray THROUGH the Holy SPIRIT.
When Christ came as sinful flesh and DIED, sinful flesh (YOU) died, and were raise (with CHRIST) a new creation.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God (SPIRIT, LIFE and TRUTH) that WORKETH IN YOU (Christ has replaced sinful flesh (you) with himself (SPIRIT), and everything that he is, is now IN YOU) TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
We don't know what to pray for, but Christ as the mediator between Father and Son(s) does know. So what ever you pray for is being caused by the LIFE, now in you.
Christ is the ROOT (LIFE), we are the branches, without THE ROOT (LIFE AND TRUTH) the branches would wither and die), of ourselves WE CAN DO NOTHING.
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put MY SPIRIT within you, and CAUSE YOU to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgements, and DO THEM.
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of GOD (truth and life) doth not commit sin; for his seed (truth and life) remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of GOD (Spirit, Truth and Life).
Proverbs 16:6 By TRUTH and MERCY (which are GOD) iniquity is purged ....
I have not read in the Scripture that we are NOT to pray to the Holy Spirit. But I also do not recall a verse that tells us to pray to Him either. We are told to pray in the Spirit, and that the Spirit prays with us, as ELB pointed out. Jesus instructed the disciples to ask the Father for anything in His own name (Jesus) and we would receive what we asked for. With all this said, I do think it is fine to pray to the Holy Spirit, asking Him to continue to fill us up to overflowing, to help us when we feel weak so we can overcome a sinful temptation, or any other need we may have. It seems to me that in the Word that the Spirit's desire is to point us to Jesus, and Jesus's desire is to point us to the Father. But we can pray in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit in our petitions or address our prayer to any of these three Person in One God, or we can just pray to God (as an all-encompassing address.
Yet, in John 16:13,14, we are reminded that the Spirit does "not speak of himself" (in Greek: 'not speak from himself'), indicating His continual connection to the Father brings forth God's Words to the believer, or to those to whom the believer is speaking to 'in the spirit'. And verse 14, that "He shall glorify me" (Jesus), again indicating that the Spirit in His Ministry never brings the focus & glory to Himself, but to the Father & Son. All very mysterious to the natural mind, but held precious to the one walking in the Spirit & holding faith in God & His Word.
When Christ came as sinful flesh and DIED, sinful flesh (YOU) died, and were raise (with CHRIST) a new creation.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God (SPIRIT, LIFE and TRUTH) that WORKETH IN YOU (Christ has replaced sinful flesh (you) with himself (SPIRIT), and everything that he is, is now IN YOU) TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
We don't know what to pray for, but Christ as the mediator between Father and Son(s) does know. So what ever you pray for is being caused by the LIFE, now in you.
Christ is the ROOT (LIFE), we are the branches, without THE ROOT (LIFE AND TRUTH) the branches would wither and die), of ourselves WE CAN DO NOTHING.
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put MY SPIRIT within you, and CAUSE YOU to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgements, and DO THEM.
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of GOD (truth and life) doth not commit sin; for his seed (truth and life) remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of GOD (Spirit, Truth and Life).
Proverbs 16:6 By TRUTH and MERCY (which are GOD) iniquity is purged ....
GBU
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