This week, Pastor Chris delivered a powerful message on praying in the Holy Spirit. At the heart of this kind of prayer is God’s profound love—His gift of a pathway for His people to connect with Him on a deeper level. When we pray in the Spirit, it not only strengthens our faith but also draws our hearts closer to Jesus, deepening our intimate relationship with Him.
Jude 20–21 (ESV)
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
“. . . in all the book there is nothing which is unrelated to the Holy Spirit.” F.F. Bruce
Cessationism vs Continuationism
- Cessationism – the early Church had some extra spiritual-gifts (ex. miracles, healing, prophecy, tongues) until the New Testament writings were completed.
- Continuationism – the supernatural sign gifts continue to operate on earth until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom on earth.
1 Corinthians 13:8, 12 (ESV)
8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
- The perfect is when we see Him as He knows us. It is us in His presence.
- “Praying in the Spirit” means to pray while being guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Praying in the Spirit
- Guidance by the Holy Spirit
- Alignment with God’s Will
- Power and Confidence
- Beyond Words
1 Corinthians 14:1–5 (ESV)
1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
1 Corinthians 14:18–19 (ESV)
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
1 Corinthians 14:39 (ESV)
39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
What do the Scriptures teach on “praying in the Holy Spirit”?
- It is the Spirit of man, not his mind, will, or emotions, praying to God.
1 Corinthians 14:14-15 (ESV)
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.
- Every believer is called to live in Holy Spirit and live saturated by the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18 (ESV)
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
Gift of Tongues and Grace of Tongues
1 Corinthians 12:29–30 (ESV)
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
1 Corinthians 14:5 (ESV)
5Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
“To distinguish between the public and private employment of tongues I often used the terms ‘gift’ of tongues and ‘grace’ of tongues. I use the term ‘grace’ to remind us of the broad, generous availability of this prayer language. It is freely available as a resource to any or every believer who will receive it – just as all did at the beginning. Paul distinguished between a publicly exercised (14:26) and privately employed use of tongues (14:5a, 18).”
Pastor Jack Hayford
Gift of Tongues and Grace of Tongues
- The “gift” of tongues is…
- Limited in distribution (1 Cor. 12:11,30).
- Its public exercise it to be closely governed (1 Cor 14:27-28).
- The “grace” of tongues is…
- Broadly available that Paul wishes all would enjoy (14:5).
- Distinctive communication with God (1 Cor. 14:2).
- Edifying of the believer’s personal life (1 Cor 14:4).
- Worship and thanksgiving (1 Cor. 14:15-17).
Public Ministry Tongues
- Tongues as a sign to the unbeliever.
Acts 2:6–7 (ESV)
6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?
- Tongues for interpretation.
1 Corinthians 14:13 (ESV)
13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
1 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)
10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
Private Personal Tongues
- The tongues for self–edification of the believer.
Mark 16:17 (ESV)
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
1 Corinthians 14:2 (MSG)
2 If you praise him in the private language of tongues, God understands you but no one else does, for you are sharing intimacies just between you and him.
1 Corinthians 14:4–5 (ESV)
4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy.
- Builds up means to increase the potential of someone or something, to strengthen and make more able.
Luke 11:11–13 (ESV)
11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think praying in the Spirit is emphasized so strongly in Scripture? What role does the Holy Spirit play in our prayers?
- What do you think it means to “pray in the Spirit” according to Jude 20-21 and Ephesians 6:18? How does this differ from regular prayer?
- Ephesians 5:18 encourages believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit. How can we be more intentional in allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our prayers and align them with God’s will?
Application Questions:
- What are some practical ways you can “build yourself up in your most holy faith” (Jude 20) while praying in the Spirit?