PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT

Praying in the Spirit seems to indicate that praying in the Holy Spirit is to be directed and prompted to speak in tongues.
Then again, if we are filled with the Holy Spirit, shouldn’t all of our prayers ‘be of the Spirit?’ The scriptures indicate that we “pray with the mind” also. Can we pray ‘in the spirit’ without the mind, or in the mind without the Spirit?

Paul, an apostle, wrote, “With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18 Amplified Bible)

Besides the Ephesians 6:18 verse above there are two other references of Praying in the Spirit in the New Testament: 1 Corinthians 14:15, “So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.” And, Jude 20, “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” Praying with the mind is also mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:15,19.

If we are submitted to the Holy Spirit and we are prompted to pray (alone or gathered), it will be because we have been led and given direction to pray. I think it is to speak in tongues (if the Spirit so prompts) and/or with our mind. How could we do one and not the other? (see again 1 Corinthians 14:15) If we speak in tongues, and if gathered with others, there needs to be someone with gifting in the interpretation of the tongues.

“Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand” (1 Corinthians 14:14 NLT).

“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.” Jesus (The Message)