Before you start · for whoever is leading
Every group asks how you know it’s the Holy Spirit and not just you, and this study earns the question more than any other in the catalogue, because it asks people to listen, share impressions, and pray for each other out loud. It first surfaces at session 1’s third Respond question, so a leader can use this there too. The question is the right one to ask, and this study answers it rather than dodging it: the three tests are whether it lines up with Scripture, whether it builds the person up, and whether it points them to Jesus, and the middle one is Paul’s own test in 1 Corinthians 14:3. And the way we say it matters as much as whether we’re right. The posture above asks us to offer it as I wonder if God might be showing rather than God told me, which leaves the other person free to say no.
Jesus says there is something He cannot do.
Read what it is, and read the reason He gives for it.
Then read Romans 8, and notice who Paul says is praying when we do not know how.
John 5:17-20 | John 14:12 | Romans 8:26-27
Tap a tool, then tap words. Highlight what gets your attention · underline what God is doing or saying · circle a repeated or unfamiliar word.
Read it aloud, then give everyone two minutes to mark it in silence.
Read the passages slowly. Notice what Jesus says He cannot do and the reason He gives, what He says His followers will do, and who Paul says prays when we do not know how. What details stand out? What surprises you?
Mark it:
- Underline what God is doing or saying.
- Circle a word that repeats, or one you don’t understand.
- Highlight whatever gets your attention, even if you can’t say why.
John 5:17-20
17
18
19
20
John 14:12
12
Romans 8:26-27
26
27
John 5:17-20
17
18
19
20
John 14:12
12
Romans 8:26-27
26
27
Read John 5:17-20; John 14:12; Romans 8:26-27 in the New Living Translation
John 5:17-20
John 14:12
Romans 8:26-27
NET Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. netbible.com
What stood out?
Go around the room. Each person reads one thing they marked. If you know why it stood out, say so. If you don’t, “it just stood out” is a complete answer. Nobody explains, nobody corrects.
Your markings are saved on this device and will be here when you come back.
Partnering in Prayer
Jesus never ministered alone. Though fully God, He chose to pray, to wait, and to partner with the Father. Every miracle flowed from intimacy, not independence. He said, “The Son can do nothing by Himself.” That same rhythm of presence and power is offered to us.
We learn to listen, wait, discern, and trust through prayer. It’s more than speaking to God; it’s being with Him. Sometimes we intercede for others from a distance. But in ministering prayer, the person is right there, and we ask the Spirit to move in real time.
We don’t have to feel qualified to pray. God is already present and working. Prayer simply invites us to join Him in His work.
One straightforward way to grow in Spirit-led prayer is through the “Presence, Revelation, and Breakthrough” model. In this rhythm, we pause to welcome the Spirit, listen for what He’s doing, and then pray into it with faith and love. A fuller description is in Go further, below.
Prayer is not performance; it’s participation in God’s presence.
Ministering prayer is a partnership of listening and responding.
Jesus modeled dependency and invited us to do the same.
The Spirit prays through us, even when we feel weak or unsure.
We are invited to join the conversation between Father, Son, and Spirit.
Our role is to show up with humility, authenticity, love, and faith.
Read this one out loud.
Discussion questions
- What helps you feel confident when you pray for others? What tends to make you hesitate?
- Have you ever sensed God working while you were praying for someone? What did that feel like?
- What part of the P-R-B model (Presence, Revelation, Breakthrough) feels most natural to you? Which one stretches you the most?
- What does it mean to you to “join what the Father is doing” in prayer?
- Who is one person you feel drawn to intercede for more intentionally this week?
Write it out.
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Let’s pray together
Let’s practice prayer that makes space for the Spirit to speak and move. You may want to sit quietly, open your hands, or write what comes to mind. We’ll walk through the P-R-B model together:
P for Presence. Begin with a moment of silence. Simply pray: “Come, Holy Spirit.” Invite God into this space and into your heart.
R for Revelation. Ask the Spirit:
- “What do You want me to know right now?”
- “Who are You inviting me to pray for today?”
Stay open to Scripture, a word, a picture, or a prompting; and gently share anything that feels Spirit-led.
B for Breakthrough. Pray for what the Spirit revealed. Speak encouragement, hope, healing, or clarity. If you’re in pairs or a group, listen and pray with faith for what God wants to do.
Closing prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You for being with us. Help us listen well, love boldly, and pray with expectation. Move through us to bring freedom, healing, and peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Leave space for silence, listening, and Spirit-led prayer. If someone senses a word, a Scripture, or a picture for another, offer it gently and pray into it.
Let’s pray
Breakthrough is when God’s Kingdom breaks into your reality: His healing where there is pain, His freedom where there is bondage, His presence where there is loneliness. Jesus is King; His freedom, peace and purpose are available now. Pray from that Kingdom, not toward it.
Be still for a moment. Open your hands and simply pray: “Come, Holy Spirit.”
Practice prayer that makes space for the Spirit to speak and move. Sit quietly, open your hands, or write what comes to mind, and walk through the P-R-B model on your own. Presence: begin with a moment of silence and pray, “Come, Holy Spirit.” Revelation: ask Him what He wants you to know right now, and who He is inviting you to pray for today; write down whatever comes. Breakthrough: pray for what He showed you, and speak encouragement, hope, healing, or clarity over the person whose name you wrote. Then pray His closing prayer as your own.
You can pray more than once. Stay present, and trust that God is at work. Take your time; there is no hurry.
Choose one. Say it out loud so someone else hears it.
Next time you gather, share what you practiced and how God used it, not for pressure but for encouragement.
The reminder downloads as a calendar event. Open it and it lands on your calendar for tomorrow morning.
Go further
Take this into your own prayer.
For this session
This simple pattern helps guide Spirit-led prayer for others.
P for Presence. Invite God into the moment. Pause to acknowledge Him. “Come, Holy Spirit.” “God, we welcome You.”
R for Revelation. Listen two ways; what the person says and what God is showing you. Ask, “Lord, what do You want to reveal?” Stay open to a word, Scripture, image, emotion, or physical response.
B for Breakthrough. Pray boldly for what the Spirit is showing. Ask for healing, peace, clarity, deliverance, or whatever God highlights. You can pray more than once. Stay present and trust the process.
This posture helps guide your heart and approach during ministering prayer. We simply bring our part and trust Him to do the rest. (While the acronym spells “HALF,” it’s not a 50/50 partnership, God does the heavy lifting.)
H for Humility. We don’t assume we have all the answers. Even when we sense something from God, we offer it gently and with care. Avoid saying, “God told me…” Instead try, “I wonder if God might be showing…” Always give room for the person to respond.
A for Authenticity. Be yourself when you pray. Use your own words. Speak clearly and simply. Let your tone match your heart. God responds to sincerity, not style.
L for Love. Our job is not to fix people; it’s to love them. Maintain eye contact, stay present, and show kindness through your words and posture. Ministering prayer is always grounded in compassion.
F for Faith. Faith is spelled R-I-S-K. Expect that God is going to do something. Trust that He is already at work. Even if you don’t feel anything, He is moving. Take a step and see what God does.
Done.
Prayer is where presence meets power. The Spirit teaches us to listen, intercede, and respond in real time to what God is doing.