“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the
Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
(Galatians 4:6)
Here in Galatians, the Holy Spirit who dwells in the hearts of believers is expressly called “the Spirit of his Son,” because He works in them the same filial disposition that is proper to Christ Himself. Thus, the cry “Abba, Father” does not rise naturally, but rather comes from the Spirit’s work of nurturing our relationship with the Father and the Son.
The Spirit enables believers to approach God as a Father who hears, receives, and delights in the petitions of His children. This confidence is the fruit of our spiritual adoption into the family of God. The Spirit also furnishes our heart with a powerful plea, “Father, hear me; Father, forgive me; Father, help me.” Such language is consistent with the testimony of the indwelling Spirit.
To deny praying in the Spirit is, in effect, to deny the very assistance all believers must seek when they pray, for dependence upon the Spirit is essential. To ask for His aid is already to confess that prayer without Him is lifeless.[1]
In truth, praying in the Spirit is the ordinary privilege of sons. The Spirit teaches the heart to seek the Father with a longing, loving heart. He produces assurance of access, confidence that our heavenly Father hears us, and a boldness that rests on God’s fatherly mercy. Where this seeking is present, active, and ongoing, prayer becomes a natural response to a loving Father who longs to share communion which His children through His Spirit.
Contemplations:
- Owning my need for Your Spirit. Father, I confess how quickly I default to praying in my own strength, relying on habit, words, or routine. And yet without Your Spirit, my prayers are empty. Teach me to depend wholly on the help You have provided, and to recognize Your Spirit before I speak a single word to You.
- Learning to approach You as Father. Lord, I admit that I often approach You with hesitation rather than with childlike confidence. Thank You for sending the Spirit of Your Son into my heart to teach me how to come to You rightly. Train my heart to trust Your welcome and to rest in Your care rather than fear Your presence.
- Examining the sincerity of my cries. Father, search my heart and show me whether my prayers rise from true affection or mere obligation. I desire not only to talk to You, but to allow my cries to rise to You from within my soul. So let my prayers be shaped by Your Spirit who dwells in me.
- Resting in the assurance of being heard. Gracious Father, I thank You that You have not left me uncertain of Your willingness to hear. When my heart cries to You as Father, it is because You have already drawn me near. Help me trust that You receive Your children with compassion, even when words are weak and faith feels small.
Prayer (Adoration)
Father, I adore You for the grace that You have shown in transforming sinners into sons and daughters. I praise You that You did not forgive from a distance, but drew near and placed Your own Spirit within the heart, so we could come to know You rightly. You are not a silent God, nor a reluctant Father. You have spoken from heaven, acted in time, and now dwell within Your people by Your Spirit. I honor You for this holy condescension, that You would make Your dwelling in hearts once ruled by fear and sin.
I adore You for the wisdom of Your design, that You would have Your children approach You not in fear, but in confidence, reverence, and love. The cry of “Abba, Father” rises from our hearts because of Your gracious sending of the Spirit of Your Son, the living testimony that You have claimed Your people as Your own.
Earthly fathers fail, withhold, misunderstand, and grow weary, but You do not. You never grow impatient with the cries of Your children. You never turn away those whom You have taught to call upon You. Your compassion is deeper than all human tenderness, and Your care is wiser than all earthly provision. I adore You that Your heart is inclined toward Your children, not because of their strength, but because of Your covenant love.
Father, I glorify You that You rule all things, yet You listen closely. You govern heaven and earth, yet You attend to the smallest cry shaped by Your Spirit. I praise You that Your greatness does not diminish Your nearness, and Your holiness does not cancel Your kindness. You are exalted above all, and yet present within the hearts of those You redeem.
Receive my gratitude for the Spirit You have sent, who does not draw attention to Himself but teaches the heart to honor You. I praise You for the quiet, faithful work of the Spirit, who forms affection, confidence, reverence, and love where none could be produced by human effort. All glory belongs to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—one God, blessed forever, whose love has made children out of rebels and whose presence remains with them always.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Further Scripture References for Galatians 4:6:
Rom. 8:15; Rom. 5:5; Isa. 44:3; Rom. 8:16
[1] Richard Alleine, Vindiciæ Pietatis: Or, a Vindication of Godliness, (London: s.n, 1665), 156–157.
