Why and How to Pray in the Spirit;Biblical Answers

How to pray in the Spirit is a common interest within the Christian charismatics circles. The concept refers to the act of engaging in prayer with one’s spirit, guided and influenced by the Holy Spirit, rather than relying solely on physical senses.

This practice is highlighted in 1 Corinthians 14:2 and 1 Corinthians 14:14-15, emphasising the role of the Holy Spirit in enabling one’s spirit to pray and providing the words, promptings, and guidance for prayer in alignment with God’s will, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 2:11.

This explanation is primarily derived from biblical research and supplemented by personal experience, acknowledging the Bible as the ultimate authority on Christian doctrine.

The Prayer Language

Praying in the spirit typically commences in a celestial tongue, prompted by the divine influence of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:4. However, as your spirit becomes impassioned and elevated, the Holy Spirit unveils a dimension or frequency to you, enabling you to engage in prayer through the utilization of the spiritual gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit, such as the word of knowledge, revelation, and prophecy. This time, the mode of communication transitions to any earthly language.

According to 1 Corinthians 14:2, when you pray in the inspired heavenly language (tongue), only God comprehends your words, unless an individual possesses a divine endowment to discern and interpret your utterances.

Yet, when you pray by means of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, your language assumes an earthly form, intelligible to mankind. 1 Corinthians 13:1

Understanding the Role of the Holy Spirit

It is commonly said that Prayer is the master key to a victorious life but it is only true when the Holy Spirit is in charge. Without the Holy Spirit, praying in the spirit would be impossible. The Holy Spirit provides the necessary guidance, instructions, and strength to persevere. Accessing higher spiritual realms and activating spiritual gifts can only be achieved through the Holy Spirit.

To be able to pray in the spirit, one must be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Therefore, only believers, not unbelievers, can pray in the spirit since they are unable to receive the Holy Spirit (John 14:17)..

1. Your Spirit prays when you pray in an unknown Tongue. 1 Corinthians 14:14; this is done through utterance ( enablement to speak) from the holy spirit.
2. Praying by the power and prompting of the holy spirit Jude 1:20
3. The language (tongue) may be earthly (Tongues of men) or heavenly (tongues of Angels) – In many Pentecostal and charismatic Christian circles, praying in the spirit is seen as just praying in an unknown tongue (heavenly language),but there is more to the subject; your language may also be earthly in cases where you receive clear instructions from the holy spirit on what to pray and how to pray it.
4. The spirit of the almighty inspires the human spirit. Job 32:8

Importance of Praying in the Spirit

1.  Praying accurately to the will of God. The frail nature of humans can affect our prayers; for instance, whilst the Lord Jesus Christ expects us to pray for our persecutors, in the book of Matthew 5:44, unforgiveness can make it difficult for us to obey the Lord. Also, the bible teaches us to intercede for all men, 1 Timothy 2:1, but our personal needs can bear so much on us as to keep us from the duty of intercession.
2.  Stamina to tarry in Prayer.
3. Ability to Intercede for other Christians according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27
4. The believer accesses spiritual strength. 1 Corinthians 14, Jude 1:20, Ephesians 3:16
5. The gift of the Holy spirit is developed and horned. 1 Corinthians 12:11, Ephesians 5:18-19
6. The secret of the heart is revealed and purged. 1 Corinthians 14:25, Matthew 3:12

How to Pray in the Spirit

1. You must be born again. John 14:17
2. Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of Speaking in an unknown Tongue.
3. Use your gift of speaking in an unknown Tongue, 1 Corinthians 14:15, to stir up your spirit. This gift is to be used as a ‘main course’ and not as a sprinkling on a “meal”, that is, elaborate time should be spent praying in an unknown tongue on a daily basis. 
4. Engage enough time until your spirit starts to soar (personal experience)
5. Then follow the promptings from the Holy Spirit on what next to pray about. There may be mysteries to handle; 1 Corinthians 14:2  
6. Note that your ‘word Bank’ or the level of revelations you have received from the word while reading the bible, will affect the level of success of any of your prayer endeavours because you will tend toward God’s will rather than praying amiss.

In conclusion, the ability to pray in the spirit is a crucial aspect of a believer’s spiritual journey. By connecting our spirits to the Holy Spirit, we tap into a higher level of communion and effectiveness in prayer. As highlighted throughout this blog post, this gift is exclusively available to believers and serves to strengthen our spirits. Embracing this practice is essential for every believer as we seek to excel in the ministry of prayer. We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences by commenting on the blog post. Let us continue to grow together in our spiritual journey.

You can read more on this subject by exploring 5 ways to pray in the spirit.

Ariwodo Chidindu is a highly experienced Bible Teacher and seasoned entrepreneur with over 25 years of teaching expertise and 15 years of entrepreneurial success. As the founder of Spirit Washed Blog, Chidindu has dedicated his career to sharing invaluable biblical knowledge and insights with individuals seeking spiritual growth and enlightenment. With a passion for teaching and a deep understanding of scripture, Chidindu has impacted countless lives through his engaging and thought-provoking lessons. As an entrepreneur, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a keen business acumen, successfully managing and growing various ventures throughout his career. Chidindu’s unique combination of being a Bible Teacher and entrepreneur sets him apart, enabling him to provide a holistic perspective and practical guidance to those seeking both spiritual and professional growth.