You should not pray for the Holy Spirit?

[Patrick Lawrence]

We had a sermon at my church with some new and problematic concepts. One of those concepts was that we do not need to pray for the Holy Spirit because we already have it. This does not it with the Bible or Spirit of Prophecy. Does any one know where our pastor would get this idea from? I find that almost always pastors get these ideas from some ones book, video or at some conference etc. Would be nice to know where this one came from.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[Gerr]

ESV | ‎Ro 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

ESV | ‎1 Co 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

ESV | ‎Eze 37:14 And I will put my Spirit within you,

[Dr. Waite]

Did Jesus Christ, our example, ever pray to the holy spirit as a separate person or being from his Father?

[Gibs]

Even though His Spirit is in us, His Divine Nature, we are still to pray for more of His Spirit. It is the "oil" for our lamps, and the foolish virgins didn't acquire ennogh.

Day after day is passing into eternity, bringing us nearer to the close of probation. As never before we must pray for the Holy Spirit to be more abundantly bestowed upon us, and we must look for its sanctifying influence to come upon the workers.... {AG 219.5}

Those who are under the influence of the Spirit of God will not be fanatical, but calm and steadfast, free from extravagance in thought, word, or deed. Amid the confusion of delusive doctrines, the Spirit of God will be a guide and a shield to those who have not resisted the evidences of truth, silencing every other voice but that which comes from Him who is the truth. {AG 219.6}

"Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain." "He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain." In the East the former rain falls at the sowing-time. It is necessary in order that the seed may germinate. Under the influence of the fertilizing showers, the tender shoot springs up. The latter rain, falling near the close of the season, ripens the grain, and prepares it for the sickle. The Lord employs these operations of nature to represent the work of the Holy Spirit. As the dew and the rain are given first to cause the seed to germinate, and then to ripen the harvest, so the Holy Spirit is given to carry forward, from one stage to another, the process of spiritual growth. The ripening of the grain represents the completion of the work of God's grace in the soul. By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be perfected in the character. We are to be wholly transformed into the likeness of Christ. {RH, March 2, 1897 par. 1}

The latter rain, ripening earth's harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of Man. But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection. {RH, March 2, 1897 par. 2}

There is to be "first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." There must be a constant development of Christian virtue, a constant advancement in Christian experience. This we should seek with intensity of desire, that we may adorn the doctrine of Christ our Saviour. {RH, March 2, 1897 par. 3}

Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former rain. They have not obtained all the benefits that God has thus provided for them. They expect that the lack will be supplied by the latter rain. When the richest abundance of grace shall be bestowed, they intend to open their hearts to receive it. They are making a terrible mistake. The work that God has begun in the human heart in giving his light and knowledge, must be continually going forward. Every individual must realize his own necessity. The heart must be emptied of every defilement, and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The same work, only in greater degree, must be done now. Then the human agent had only to ask for the blessing, and wait for the Lord to perfect the work concerning him. It is God who began the work, and he will finish his work, making man complete in Jesus Christ. But there must be no neglect of the grace represented by the former rain. Only those who are living up to the light they have, will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it. {RH, March 2, 1897 par. 4}

Is it falling now on some? I think so!

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[JoeMo]

The Bible is full of examples of people already having the Spirit praying for (and receiving more). For example, the Spirit fell on the disciples at Pentecost in Acts 2. In Acts 4: 24-31, they were filled again.

The thing about the Holy Spirit is that, If we have it and use it, we give it away to others - we leak! We need a refreshing. We ask; and God gives more. He never runs out. But God does want us to ask; and being a good Father, He gives it.

Patrick - could your Pastor have been misunderstood? I remember a Pastor once preaching that we did not need to ask forgiveness for our sins; that they were forgiven at Cavalry. He literally got drummed out of the church for that sermon. Thinking back, it could be that He was just trying emphasize our salvation by grace - not saying there was no need of repentance. I kinda feel bad for the guy, now.