Praying in the Spirit

There are several scriptures that refer to 'Praying in the Spirit'.  Romans 8:26, I Corinthians 14:14-16, Ephesians 6:18, Jude 20 to mention the main verses about praying in the Spirit.  What does it mean to be praying in the Spirit?  To answer that question will unlock an aspect of the discipleship process that is missing for many Christians today.  Let me first to briefly address why it is important to pray in the Spirit?  Then I will address what it means followed by how to pray in the Spirit.  First, why it is important to pray in the Spirit.  The scriptures tell us to do therefore as an obedient child of God I ought to pray in the Spirit.  Jesus talked about the Spirit flowing like a river inside us, encouraged us to wait for the power of the Spirit which means Jesus thought it is important to allow the spirit to have full and free access in our lives.  Putting the verses we mentioned above in proper context we are to pray in the Spirit for victory, overcoming in the world and self encouragement and edification.  There are other reasons as well but if these are not enough to encourage you to pray in the Spirit then you will not likely ever pray in the Spirit.  Second, what does it mean to pray in the Spirit?  There are two basics responses, one it is cooperating with God and two it means you are depending upon the Spirit to bring about God's power, wisdom, guidance and peace who is the author and perfecter of our faith.  If victory is not won by the strength of a horse for battle then my victory and ability to overcome does not reside inside myself but in the God of the promise who told me to pray in the Spirit.  Until I unite myself with God and cooperate with Him in all aspects of life I will tend to trust in my own ability and strength which will hinder one's ability to pray in the Spirit.  Third, how does one pray in the Spirit?  There are three aspects of praying in the Spirit and all of them ought to be alive in our praying at one time or the other.  One, it is waiting upon the Lord and sensing the areas of agreement of what God wants you to be praying about.  Praying in the will of God, standing upon the promises of God with full assurance of faith that God is able to do what He said He would do.  Two, it is praying in one's spiritual language, tongues.  The apostle Paul encouraged this type of praying and when practiced on a consistent basis has always been proven that it works.  God truly does fight our battles when we are praying in tongues much.  Three, praying in the Spirit is always allowing the full realm of spiritual gifts to flow when you are praying.  To disconnect the gifts of the Spirit when one is praying in the Spirit is foreign to the context of the scriptures.  When Paul and Silas were worshipping and praying in the Spirit the gifts of the Spirit started to manifest which resulted the jailer and his household being saved. 
Let us be found praying in the Spirit.  I encourage you as the apostle Paul encourage the first century church to pray in the Spirit.  May God begin to manifest His spiritual gifts all around you as you pray in the Spirit.

Pastor John