Daily Devotionals

Pray and Sing in the Holy Spirit

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:15-21; Jude 17-21

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus.

21 Submit to one another out of reverence for

17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love. . . .

Jude 20–21

How do we remain loving people in the midst of conflict, negativity, broken relationships, and attacks by the devil? Jude explains that we can do this by building ourselves up in faith and praying in the Holy Spirit. We know we are praying in the Spirit when the comfort, peace, and strength of God fill us. We know we are praying in the Spirit when we drop our selfish agenda in favor of serving God, showing his love and care for others.

In Ephesians 6:18 the apostle Paul urges us to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests . . . for all the Lord’s people.” So pray in the morning for direction for the day, that each word and deed may be done for God’s glory. Pray at noon for God’s energy to continue filling you throughout the day. Pray in the evening, giving thanks for the day and asking the Spirit for good rest and strength for the days ahead.

According to Ephesians 5, being filled with the Spirit prompts us to build one another up with spiritual songs. And we keep in mind all of God’s blessings for us, for which we always give thanks. As God’s people, the body of Christ, we also submit to one another for Jesus’ sake.

So don’t stop praying and singing. The Spirit works mightily through these actions. The Spirit even gives us a song and a prayer when we are down in the dumps.

Spirit of God, fill us with your presence and with songs and prayers for all occasions, that we may ­honor, praise, and give thanks to you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.