LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY
When it comes to praying, it seems we all have problems with our requests, or at least the kinds of requests to present. We have difficulty in phrasing the requests we do make. Then, we have the problem of the motive for our prayers. Paul condenses the problems into one statement, "We know not what we should pray for as we ought" (Rom. 3:26). However, our lack of knowledge in how to pray should not silence our prayers. Instead, like the disciples we need help. That help comes in the form of the Holy Spirit who not only wants to teach us to pray but also takes our prayers and makes “intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26). Without this help, we will have a powerless prayer life. There are three things that come to mind that the Holy Spirit teaches us about praying. Here is the first.

1. He teaches us that we should not expect our prayers to be answered if there is unconfessed sin in our lives. The Holy Spirit inspired David to write, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:17). Does that mean God requires sinless perfection of us? No. If He did none of us would ever have his prayers answered. What God requires of us is confession and repentance. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 28:13, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
The Holy Spirit teaches us that to pray as we should we must confess sin in our lives.
(Second and third lessons taught by the Holy Spirit to follow)