3 Reasons to Stop Asking God's Spirit to Come

Sometimes pastors, theologians, and Jesus-teacher type people can act like they aren't getting enough fiber in their diet.We (and yes, I include myself in this fiber-light group) can get overheated about little theological things that really make no sense. I remember being in a small group when another fiber-free member corrected a new person when she said "Revelations" instead of "Revelation" when referring to the last book of the New Testament.

Honestly, it doesn't change the content. Let's move on.

There are times, however, where little details can help us to grow if we lock into them. The following is one that I have tried desperately to bring into my own prayer and life on a regular basis.

We need to stop praying for the Holy Spirit to come and be with us.

The reason we need to do this is because of a singular promise that Jesus gives those who follow Him:

...I will ask the Father and He will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know him, because he abides with you, and He will be in you. (John 14:16-17)

We need to stop inviting the Spirit to be with us because, as my friend Mindy Caliguire says in her book Spiritual Friendship, "if we are there, He is there."

Turning our prayer from inviting the Spirit to asking for the ability to listen to and obey the Spirit forms a few key things in us:

1. It forms trust in Jesus' promise to us - we don't have to ask, we can know.2. It forms a conversational relationship with God - we know He's present at all times, so we can hear from Him often.3. It forms a sense of comfort in us as we move through the daily gauntlet - if He is with us, what is there to fear?

So let's pray today that the Spirit of God - who is already with us - will speak to us and that we might listen with open ears.

And while we're at it, a prayer for the fiber-free Bible people couldn't hurt. Thanks.