Praying for the Fruit of the Spirit

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It is a natural thing to pray for others.  When it comes to praying for ourselves, we can easily get confused.  What exactly should we pray for?

Usually, prayers we offer for ourselves can focus on safety, security, or sanity.  Our prayers can be limited to simple endurance through difficult or unsure situations.  But, how should we pray for ourselves?

If you are a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), we are no longer to live for worldly things but for spiritual things (Gal. 5:16-18).  Scripture teaches us that to live spiritual we must be guided by the Holy Spirit.

  • The Holy Spirit is a gift (Acts 2:38).
  • The Holy Spirit comes to help in our weakness (Rom. 8:26).
  • The Holy Spirit teaches us all things (John 14:26).
  • The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us (1 Cor. 6:19).
  • The Holy Spirit guides us in truth (John 16:13).
  • The Holy Spirit provides freedom for the believer (2 Cor. 3:17).
  • The Holy Spirit provides power for sharing the gospel (Acts 1:8).
  • The Holy Spirit makes us wise (1 Cor. 2:13).

I don’t know about you, but I know that I am extremely grateful for each of these truths!

The Apostle Paul spoke of the fruit of the Spirit that should be an evident work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believers.  It’s not something to which we attain but something that God does within us.  Read his list of the fruit of the Spirit.  As you read, reflect upon how evident each one of these traits can be seen in your own life.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.  -Galatians 5:22-23

In studying this list and reflecting upon yourself, you must be mindful of two dangerous ditches on both sides of the road.  One ditch is thinking that you have already arrived in all these areas.  The other ditch is belittling yourself and believing the Holy Spirit hasn’t made any progress in you yet.

You still have a way to go and God has promised to finish what he started (Phil. 1:6) but look at the forward progress that you are making (Phil. 3:12).

If you had to rate yourself on the fruit of the Spirit, what would be your top attribute?  What would be your lowest?  If you have a piece of paper nearby, rank them from 1 to 9 (1 being the trait you show somewhat naturally and 9 being the one that you still have a ways to go).

  • Love
  • Joy
  • Peace
  • Patience
  • Kindness
  • Goodness
  • Faith
  • Gentleness
  • Self-Control

Is it evident where he still has room to work?  He can work on me concerning all 9, but there are certain ones I definitely need his help.

In your prayer time today, thank the Holy Spirit for how he is working in you.  Thank him for the progress he is making.  Also, spend some time and ask him to reveal more fruit in your own live.