Friendship with Holy Spirit
We have been discussing Holy Spirit’s involvement in our lives. Jesus said it was actually advantageous for Him to leave earth, in order that Holy Spirit could be sent to us. Whereas Jesus, in His human body, could be in only one place at a time, Holy Spirit can be everywhere at once, and is IN us - not just with us. I stated that the single greatest key to biblically-defined success in any Christian endeavor is allowing the full work of Holy Spirit in and through us. And this is most certainly true with prayer.
Another reference and some amplified definitions will give us even more insight into the role of our Helper. Second Corinthians 13:14 says, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of Holy Spirit, be with you all.” The word “fellowship” here is koinonia and is rich with meaning, as can be seen in the following definitions:
Fellowship; Communion
The use of the word koinonia tells us Holy Spirit wants intimacy with us. This same word is used in 1 Corinthians 10:16 to describe the Lord’s Table, the sacrament of “Communion.” The Lord’s Table is referred to as “Communion” (koinonia) because it brings us into fellowship or communion with Him.
This involves dialogue. Holy Spirit wants to commune with us. He has much to say if we learn to listen. As our Teacher, He is the means to all wisdom and revelation from God. Many don’t realize we can enjoy this relationship with Him. We can, however, commune with Holy Spirit.
At times Holy Spirit’s communion with us requires no words. As with any close relationship, some communication is simply a look, heart-to-heart time together.
Rowell provides this illustration:
In his book Good Morning Merry Sunshine, Chicago Tribune columnist Bob Greene chronicles his infant daughter’s first year of life. When little Amanda began crawling, he records: “This is something I’m having trouble getting used to. I will be in bed reading a book or watching TV. And I will look down at the foot of the bed and there will be Amanda’s head staring back at me.
“Apparently, I’ve become one of the objects that fascinate her…It’s so strange. After months of having to go to her, now she is choosing to come to me. I don’t know quite how to react. All I can figure out is that she likes the idea of coming in and looking at me. She doesn’t expect anything in return. I’ll return her gaze, and in a few minutes, she’ll decide she wants to be back in the living room, and off she’ll crawl again.”
The simple pleasure of looking at the one you love is what we enjoy each time we worship God and bask in His presence. (1)
At times I crawl up to God for a look. Just knowing He is looking back is enough. However, at times Holy Spirit speaks and shares His heart while I’m gazing.
There is a poignant picture of this level of intimacy hidden in the following Scriptures:
For the devious are an abomination to the Lord; but He is intimate with the upright (Proverbs 3:32, emphasis mine).
The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant (Psalms 25:14, emphasis mine).
The words “intimate” and “secret” are translated from the same Hebrew word, cowd, which means “couch, cushion, or pillow.”(2) The picture is of two close friends seated on a couch, sharing intimate thoughts with one another. Or perhaps of a wife and husband sharing a pillow, conversing intimately.
“Do you really think God wants that kind of relationship, Sheets?” you may be asking.
Absolutely! Abraham was his “friend.” (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23) David was “a man after God’s heart,” (see 1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). If these relationships weren’t precious to the Lord, why did He reference them five times in Scripture? Enoch walked with God, bringing Him such pleasure that Yahweh just took him on to heaven (see Genesis 5:22, 24). The disciples, like Abraham, were called Christ’s friends (see John 15:15). God is into koinonia!
We can be His friends, too. Several years ago, I was ministering in Toronto. On my last morning there, as I packed my bags, I was thinking about my final session, visiting (koinonia) with Holy Spirit. I wasn’t interceding, and it wasn’t during my normal quiet time. I was simply communing while working, sharing some of my inner thoughts with Him, much the same way I might have done with my wife, had she been there.
Suddenly Holy Spirit spoke back to me. It was as natural and matter-of-fact as two friends sharing their thoughts. “Japan is really on My heart this morning,” He said.
This surprised me, as I had never thought of God at times having one particular place on His heart more than others. I’ve always assumed He had every place on His heart, all the time. And the phrase “on My heart” surprised me, as well. Japan was more than on His mind; this was something deeper - very important to Him. I knew He was sharing His heart with me.
He then said, “I must have Japan. It is a gate to Asia, and I must have it. There is tremendous warfare over the nation right now. Would you pray for Japan this morning in your session?”
How do you like that?! Not a command, “Pray for Japan!” This was a request, “Would you…?” He was asking me!
“Of course we will, Holy Spirit,” I said. “We would be honored to do that.” And we did! Such a strong anointing and burden came upon the assembly - tears, travail, intense intercession. This went on for about 45 minutes, at which time I had to leave for the airport. They continued - how long, I do not know.
God brought insight to us in that session of how to pray for Japan. He gave us various Scripture promises to pray and declare over the nation, as well as other insights. It was amazing. And though I didn’t realize it until we began praying, 20-30 individuals from Japan had come to this conference. They were deeply moved and so encouraged. We brought them to the front and many believers gathered around them, while interceding for Japan. Japan shall be saved!
This “watchman intercession” was born out of fellowship with Holy Spirit.
Koinonia Means Sharing Together; Participating with us
Holy Spirit wants to share His strength, power, wisdom, and information with us. He desires to participate with us in life’s endeavors. He certainly wants to participate with us in our prayer times.
Partner is a word or concept related to participation. Watchmen learn to partner with Holy Spirit, and partnership with Him causes their prayer success rate to climb significantly! In his book, Prayer Is Invading the Impossible, Jack Hayford says, “Prayer is essentially a partnership of the redeemed child of God working hand in hand with God toward the realization of His redemptive purposes on earth.”(3)
Holy Spirit facilitates this partnership. Let Him participate in your intercession. Allow Him to help you!
Pray with me:
Communing with God - what a moving thought, Father. Take us back to the first-love excitement of hanging out with You. We know Holy Spirit is ALWAYS with us, yet we so often take Him for granted. Remind us of His presence! Please! And remind us, also, that He wants to communicate with us. He wants “pillow talk” with His family; He wants to share “secrets” with His friends. Awaken the church to this reality.
As we experience this, it will make us more effective watchmen. Speak to us, reveal to us what is on the Godhead’s heart today. What is Abba thinking? What does Christ, the Head of the church, want accomplished today/this week/this month? What are You saying to the church today, Holy Spirit? We are listening, and ready to partner with You!
You have told us July is significant for Washington, DC. In response, a few of us have journeyed there today to pray. Lead us as we do so. We want to know - if You stood there today, what would You declare? For You will be standing there - in us! Lead us. We’ll declare it!
You’ve already shown us to offer up decrees that will release angels and their battering rams against Lucifer’s/Baal’s hold on the White House. We will do so, with the agreement now of tens of thousands of believers. Their faith and authority will be joined to ours as we pray. This is the Ekklesia! This is laying siege - watchman intercession. Holy Spirit, fill our prayers with YOUR power!!!! We call this done, in Jesus’ name!
Our decree:
We decree that angelic battering rams are breaking satanic strongholds in DC this month! They have, they are, and they will!
Portions of today’s post were taken from my book Watchman Prayer.
[Dutch Sheets, Watchman Prayer (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 2008), pp. 141-145.]
Click on the link below to watch the full video.
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Greg Asimakoupoulos, “Worship,” in Rowell, 1001 Quotes, Illustrations, and Humorous Stories for Preachers, Teachers, and Writers, 410.
Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, s.v. 5475
Jack W. Hayford, Prayer Is Invading the Impossible (South Plainfield, NJ: Logos International, 1977; revised edition, Bridge Publishing, 1995), p. 92, 1977 edition.