“The Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).
How do we pray in the spirit? Here are four possible applications:
Praying with dependency upon the Holy Spirit. One of the first things we must ask in our prayer time is for the Holy Spirit’s help. Praying in the Spirit is praying with complete and absolute dependency upon the spirit of God to guide us. We are in need of His assistance if we want to pray as we should. Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Jesus helps us through the agency of the Holy Spirit to pray. We must be in complete dependence upon Him when we seek the face of God.
Being “borne along” in our prayers by the Holy Spirit. “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 20). This verse is talking about those times when you pour your heart out to God and words begin flowing effortlessly. This is when the Holy Spirit takes over and it is no longer you, but the Holy Spirit crying out to God (Romans 8:15).
This kind of prayer usually takes place after we have spent considerable time talking with God. It seldom happens when we first begin to pray. Few people ever experience being “borne along” in their prayers by the Holy Spirit. It takes discipline and commitment in our time of prayer before the Spirit of God takes over and we fade into the background. Let’s commit ourselves to concerted, concentrated and fervent prayer until it is no longer us, but God’s spirit praying through us.
Praying in tongues. “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries” (1 Corinthians 14:2). This is not the Holy Spirit praying, but our human spirit moved upon by the spirit of God. Our human spirit begins speaking directly to God in a language we do not understand (1 Corinthians 14:15).
This can be one of the most powerful forms of prayer and praise for two reasons:
1. We cannot have unbelief about what we are praying for.
2. We are speaking mysteries to God. When we are facing a situation where we are at a loss as to how to pray, we begin praying with our spirit (tongues), by-passing our understanding, and praying directly to God.
“Groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26). This is prayer that is not vocalized in understandable words, human or spiritual. Notice it says, “Too deep for words” – even tongues. This takes place only when we are so intensely burdened in prayer that our spirit (or the Holy Spirit within us) begins to utter “groanings too deep for words.” Sadly, few rarely enter such depths of prayer.
Prayer: Precious Holy Spirit, Am in great need of your help. Without your assistance am merely uttering empty words. Please take control of MY prayer life and help ME pray as I should. In Jesus name, amen!
