Praying in the Spirit refers to praying according to the leading and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It goes beyond our own understanding and human reasoning, connecting us directly to God’s heart and mind.
The apostle Paul instructs believers to “pray at all times in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18 ESV). When we pray in the Spirit, we yield control of our prayer time to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide our thoughts, words, and prayers.
There are several key aspects to praying in the Spirit:
1. It is supernatural prayer
Praying in the human spirit relies on our own ability and ideas. But praying in the Holy Spirit taps into the supernatural power and wisdom of God. The Holy Spirit gives us access to heights and depths in prayer that we could never reach on our own.
The Spirit helps us pray according to God’s perfect will, not limited by our finite human understanding (Romans 8:26-27). Praying in the Spirit connects us to things beyond our natural senses and reasoning.
2. It involves the gift of tongues
For many believers, praying in tongues is synonymous with praying in the Spirit. Speaking in tongues provides a powerful way to tap into the Spirit’s leading in intercession.
When we pray in tongues, our spirit is praying and communicating directly with God, even if our understanding is unfruitful (1 Corinthians 14:14). It allows the Spirit to intercede through us beyond the limits of our native language.
Paul said he prayed in tongues more than all the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 14:18). This gift clearly played an important role in his powerful, Spirit-led prayer life.
3. It is directed by the Spirit
Praying in the Spirit is not so much a prayer formula as it is a prayer attitude. We rely fully on the Spirit to guide us in how to pray.
We begin praying according to our natural understanding and then yield over more and more to the Spirit’s leading. This allows Him to direct our focus and prayers beyond what we may have first thought to pray.
The Holy Spirit knows exactly how and what we should pray in alignment with God’s perfect will (Romans 8:27). As we lean on Him in prayer, He directs our paths (Proverbs 3:6).
4. It cultivates intimacy with God
Praying in the Spirit draws us closer to God’s heart in intimacy. It causes us to depend more fully on the Spirit rather than ourselves. As we lean into His leading in prayer, we deepen our trust and communion with Him.
Being filled with the Spiritmanifests in increased spiritual awareness and insight into divine realities. We gain spiritual perception beyond just the physical realm (1 Corinthians 2:14).
The heart of prayer is connection and intimacy with God. Praying in the Spirit develops this intimacy as we open up more fully to the Spirit’s presence.
5. It edifies the church
Praying in the Spirit builds up and strengthens the church. As believers intercede in the Spirit for one another, they call forth God’s purposes and power.
The spiritual gift of tongues, coupled with the gift of interpretation, can provide encouragement, comfort and conviction to other believers (1 Corinthians 14:3-5). It edifies when accompanied by interpretation.
The Holy Spirit knows exactly how to pray for every situation and need in the church. Praying in the Spirit links us to the intercession flowing from Heaven that releases breakthrough.
6. It partners with God’s intercession
All three Persons of the Trinity are intercessors. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us according to God’s perfect will (Romans 8:26-27). And Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of God, interceding on our behalf (Romans 8:34).
When we pray in the Spirit, we partner with this divine intercession. We tap into the supernatural flow of intercession going on day and night before God’s throne. Instead of limiting God based on our understanding and requests, we come into alignment with what the Spirit is speaking and interceding over individuals, cities, and nations.
The all-knowing Spirit searches the deep things of God and precisely intercedes according to His will (1 Corinthians 2:10). Praying in the Spirit links us to this.
7. It requires yielding to the Spirit
Praying in the Spirit is not so much a method or formula as it is an attitude of dependence. We relinquish control of our prayer times to the Spirit and rely on Him to lead and empower us.
It involves humbling ourselves before God, surrendering our will and ways to His greater understanding and purposes. We yield our thoughts, requests, and focus over to wherever the Spirit guides us. This posture allows Him to pray through us.
Part of the key is getting our minds and agendas out of the way so the Spirit has freedom to lead as He sees fit. We tap into His supernatural wisdom and will, rather than limiting Him to our finite understanding.
8. It requires faith and reception
Since praying in the Spirit relies on the Spirit’s direction and empowerment, it requires reception and faith on our part. We receive by faith what the Spirit desires to release through our prayer time.
This looks like stepping out in courage to voice the prayers and burdens the Holy Spirit brings, believing He will use our prayers in the unseen realm. It may feel risky at first, but bold faith opens the way for the Spirit to work through us.
We can have full confidence that if the Spirit prompts us to pray something, it aligns with God’s will and serves His purposes. Our role is simply to continue relying on the Spirit’s leading and receive the gifts and graces He wants to release.
9. It is available to all believers
The ability to pray in the Spirit is a free gift available to all believers in Jesus. God eagerly desires for all His children to connect with Him at this supernatural level.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit and praying in tongues opens the door to powerful, Spirit-led intercession (Acts 2:4). As children of God, we all have access to the realm of the Spirit by faith.
The gift of tongues in particular helps release the mysteries of God through Spirit-empowered prayer. All believers can stir up and utilize this gift to enjoy its benefits (1 Corinthians 14:39; 2 Timothy 1:6-7).
Of course, praying in our native language as the Spirit leads is also powerful. The key is yielding to and depending on the Spirit’s direction and empowerment, whatever form that takes.
10. It changes us
Praying in the Spirit profoundly impacts and changes us as believers. It increases our spiritual strength, understanding, and discernment.
Jude 20 says praying in the Holy Spirit builds us up in our most holy faith. As we devote time to Spirit-led prayer, it awakens our spiritual senses to discern God’s will and walk in greater authority.
Drawing close to God’s heart in prayer always transforms us. By praying according to the Spirit’s leading and empowerment, we open ourselves up to His sanctifying work in our lives.
The Spirit renews our minds and aligns our thoughts and desires with God’s purposes. He burns away impurities and empowers holiness as we yield to Him in prayer.
Steps to Pray in the Spirit
Learning to pray in the Spirit involves humbly yielding to the Spirit’s leadership. Try putting these practical steps into practice:
- Ask the Holy Spirit to fill and lead you before starting prayer. Surrender your will, wants, and agenda to Him.
- Pray about what’s on your heart to start as the Spirit leads. Listen for His promptings and direction.
- Submit the flow of your prayer to the Spirit. Allow Him to adjust your focus and direct you deeper in intercession.
- If praying in tongues, step out in bold faith. Let the words arise from your spirit without trying to understand them.
- Maintain an attitude of dependence on the Spirit throughout your prayer time, not your own understanding.
- Listen for the Spirit’s voice and promptings. Sometimes He may lead you to be still and listen.
- Trust God to work through your prayers by His Spirit, even if you don’t understand or feel anything.
Hindrances to Praying in the Spirit
Certain attitudes or issues can limit our ability to pray in the Spirit effectively. Being aware of these can help us overcome them:
- Pride – Depending on the Spirit requires humility. Lay down pride and self-sufficiency.
- Unbelief – Move past doubts and embrace childlike faith in the Spirit’s promptings.
- Distractions – Eliminate distractions and give the Spirit your full attention.
- Busyness – Slow down and create space to focus on the Spirit’s leading.
- Disobedience – Surrender all known sin that would grieve the Spirit.
- Control – Relinquish your agendas and control over your prayer times.
- Laziness – Press through prayer even when you don’t feel like it.
- Lack of Word – Consume Scripture to renew your mind and align with the Spirit.
Powerful Benefits of Praying in the Spirit
Praying in the Spirit connects believers to powerful realities and blessings. Here are some incredible benefits:
- Deeper intimacy and encounter with God
- Renewed spiritual fervency and passion
- Better discernment of God’s will
- Burden and intercession for key issues
- Confidence we are praying according to God’s will
- Alignment with what God is speaking and doing
- Increased faith, vision, and spiritual understanding
- Protection and strength against enemy attacks
- Supernatural breakthrough against opposition
- Divine strategies and solutions received
- Spiritual gifts and empowerment stirred up
- Deeper understanding of Scripture
- Edification and strengthening of our inner man
Praying in the Spirit links us to the very source of breakthrough, empowerment, and guidance. It is meant to be part of the normal Christian life and every believer’s prayer toolbox. As we yield to the Spirit’s leadership in prayer, whole new realms of possibility open up.
Walking in a lifestyle of Spirit-sensitive and Spirit-led prayer transform our lives. All it takes is surrendering control of our prayer times to the capable leadership of the Holy Spirit within us. He eagerly desires to lead every believer into deeper realms of purpose, intimacy, and spiritual power.
