Getting involved with God

Pray in the Spirit

There are many different types of prayers and many different ways to pray. This is why we’ve been focusing on prevailing prayer – prayer that gets results. Under this heading there are two main ways to pray; the prayer of intercession and the prayer of faith. But there is a third, and in this session we will be examining what it is to pray in the Spirit. Praying in the Spirit has always been a very controversial subject and probably needs clarification from the church leadership.

Prayer is a command of God, and is to be practised both in public and in private. Yes, such a command brings those that have the heart to pray, into great intimacy with God; and the prevailing prayer will receive great things from God, both for the person that prayed, and for those that are prayed for. Prayer is the highest for of speech because it opens the heart of God, and it is a means by which the empty soul can be filled. By prayer every believer can open his heart to God, as to a friend, and obtain fresh evidence of God’s great love and friendship toward him.

Let us now look at some of the scriptures that refer to praying in the Spirit:

“But you, beloved, build up yourselves on your most holy faith praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 1:20, 21

“Praying in the Spirit at all times with every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.” Eph. 6:18

“For he that speaks in a tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God: for no man understands him; however in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.” 1 Corinthians 14:2

“For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26

Notice, in the natural realm, we do not know what we should pray for as we ought to. This doesn't mean that we do not know what needs praying into but rather that we may not know how to pray effectively for it. For this reason the Holy Spirit aids us in our intercession. This is what praying in the Spirit is all about. And such prayer or intercession comes in the form of “groanings which cannot be uttered”.

Tongues are “groanings which cannot be uttered”. They communicate audibly with God the Holy Spirit's intercession for us in utterances and words which are not found in our human vocabulary. The gift of tongues is imparted into our spirit man by the Holy Spirit when we are filled with the Spirit. Tongues help our spirit man to communicate with God according to His desires and will and the exact need or action required in any situation.

Without the Holy Spirit, we won't know what the exact need or required action is in any situation because we only perceive things with our physical senses. For example, without the Holy Spirit we won't be aware of the evil assignments sent by wicked spirits against us. Notice also that when we speak in tongues we speak mysteries that only God understands, which is of great benefit when involved in spiritual warfare (1 Cor. 14:12).

Without the Holy Spirit, we do not know what we should pray for as we ought because we do not see realities as we ought. This is why we need the Him to help us in intercession. The Holy Spirit enables our spirit man (by the gift of tongues) to make intercession for us according to the will of God. The Holy Spirit knows exactly how to get us to where change for good can be effected. He is the key to our success!

There is no man or church in the world that can come to God in prayer, but by the assistance of the Holy Spirit. “For through Christ we have access to the Father by one Spirit” (Ephesians 2:18). “For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:11).

“We do not know what we ought to pray for.” Paul said, but we must still pray as we ought; and this we cannot do by the skill and cunning devices of our own intellect. “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself” helps us in our frailties.

What your own brain may imagine and devise, is one thing, and what you are commanded, and ought to do, is another. Many of you ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives; and so you never get to enjoy those things you pray for (James 4:3).

Note, while you are praying, God is searching the heart, examining your motives and intentions (1 John 5:14). “And he who searches our hearts knows,” that is, approves only what is agreeable to “…the mind of the Spirit – because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.” (Romans 8:27)

God only hears and responds to that which is in accordance with His will, and nothing else. And it is only the Holy Spirit that can tell us what to ask; only the Spirit is able to search everything out, even the deep things of God.

If you want to truly connect and get involved with God, then you must allow His Spirit to reveal His perfect will. So we must learn to pray in the Spirit at all times.

Chris Demetriou, 03/02/2008