Ephesians 6:18 – Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and petition; and through it, stay alert with all persistence and intercession for all the saints.
Part 1 ~ Praying In The Spirit: What It Sounds Like
Paul insisted that we pray in the Spirit. He made it clear to the Church at Corinth that praying in the Spirit was a certain kind of prayer: wherein the Holy Spirit was engaged in prayer through us (1 Corinthians 14:14-15). The prayer of the Spirit that produces the language of the Spirit participates in a communication directly to God (1 Corinthians 14:2; Romans 8:26). The only way we can understand the true meaning of what Paul was saying regarding the prayer of the Spirit is to recognize that when the Church was filled with the Spirit, a divine utterance was given to them (Acts 2:4).
Everyone must recognize that if we are to pray in the Spirit, then some event has to happen wherein we are filled by the Holy Spirit; and the prayer we engage in is not our own, but His. Through such prayer and intercession, the saints of God will remain totally alert. We have an adversary the devil, who goes about as a roaring lion; whose craft and power we have been given power over. The strength of the Lord and the power of His might are communicated to us by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:10). However, we must recognize that prayer is one of the primary ways in which we yield ourselves to that which He desires to supply.
What should the prayer of the Spirit sound like? There are many different expressions of prayer, but they should all be audible. The prayer of the Spirit should be:
1- The Word of God
2- With authority
3- Directed with a specific application by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit will teach you to pray in such a way that you are conscious that your Heavenly Father is listening. He will fill you with the sound of thanksgiving, confidence, and boldness. The sound of Heaven is also a sound of joy and rejoicing. There are many different kinds of prayer – from the prayer of praise that should fill God’s house, to the prayer that is strong cryings and supplications. If you will give yourself to learning, then the Holy Spirit will fill your mouth with what is appropriate for the time. God’s people have learned to sing, now its high time that they learn to pray. Just open your mouth in thanksgiving to God, and the Holy Spirit will fill it!
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
