Introduction

Praying in the Spirit is mentioned three times in scripture. (1) What should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praises with my spirit, but I will also sing praises with my mind.  (1 Corinthians 14:15, NET) (2).With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and requests for all the saints.  (Ephesians 6:18, NET) (3) But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit, (Jude 1:20, NET) Some common questions related to this topic are:

(A) What is praying in the Spirit? (B) How to pray in the Spirit? and (C) Why we must pray in the Spirit? I want to answer these questions in today’s sermon.

1. What is Praying in the Spirit?

A. The Greek word translated “praying in” can have several different meanings.

B. It can mean “by means of,” “with the help of,” “in the sphere of,” and “in connection to.”

C. Therefore in the context of this message, praying in the Spirit is praying according to the Spirit’s leading (praying in alert to what’s happening around us. …and to this end be alert… Ephesians 6:18), Praying with His help.

2. How to Pray in the Spirit?

A. We should walk in the Spirit before seeking to pray in the Spirit, (Galatians 5:16)

B. Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. As I said before being in a state of alert to what’s happening around you, and willing to intercede for others, (…with all perseverance and requests for all the saints… Ephesians 6:18)

C. Praying in tongues as the Holy Spirit gives you the utterance. (I will explain this further in the 3rd point)

3. Why Pray in the Spirit?

A. God is a Spirit. We can not connect with Him through our flesh, (John 4:24)

B. For we don’t know to pray as we ought. But the Holy Spirit helps us, (Romans 8:26) According to the Greek word used in the place of “weakness” the above verse, is an expression of humanity’s limitations.

Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a violent wind blowing came from heaven and filled the entire house where they were sitting. And tongues spreading out like a fire appeared to them and came to rest on each one of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:1-4 [NET]

C. This is where praying in tongues walks in. Tongues are not something we utter out of our own imagination or expertise. Only the Holy Spirit gives the ability for this kind of utterance. Sometimes we cannot find words to pray. In times of distress when we don’t even feel like praying, tongues come into our aid.

Conclusion

A. Prayer is two-way communication. We need to connect with our heavenly Father when we pray. This kind of prayer is achievable only through praying in the Spirit.

B. Remember, praying in the Spirit is not occasional. Every time you pray you must pray in the Spirit.

C. Don’t rush your prayer. Take time to observe and respond to the Spirit’s leading. Use tongues in your prayers regularly. The more you pray in tongues the more you edify yourself.

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