Over the last several weeks, I’ve been teaching a series of living and moving in Holy Spirit. The Apostle declared its importance repeatedly in his writings in the New Testament. He stated this in Galatians 5:25.
“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
The Apostle Paul also proclaimed the importance of praying in the Spirit in his own personal life to the Church of Corinth in 1 Corinthians 14:18
“I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you”
It has become my conviction that being baptized in Holy Spirit and consequently speak in tongues is absolutely essential for one to live, breathe and move according to His plan. If Jesus needed to be filled with Holy Spirit and conquer temptation and live in power, wouldn’t it be just as important for His followers. The following discusses the importance of having a prayer language for the follower of Christ. It is the fuel for the Christain’s life.
Praying in the Spirit allows for direct communication with God often bypassing the limitations of human understanding, and lead to a deeper spiritual connection and intercession. It is also believed to empower believers over temptation and sin, enhance prayer life and provide for spiritual edification according to 1 Corinthians 14:4;
“The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophecies builds up the church (ESV).
The Benefits of Praying in the Spirit
Direct Communication: Praying in tongues allows the believer to communicate directly with God, who is a Spirit, thus bypassing the limitations of human language.
Holy Spirit Guidance: The Holy Spirit provides utterances, enabling prayers to align with God’s will, even though the person may not know how and what to pray.
Personal Growth
Strengthening Faith: Engaging in this kind of praying deepens one’s faith and reliance on Holy Spirit, fostering a more intimate relationship with the Lord.
Empowerment: Praying in the Spirit empowers the believer in their spiritual journey, helping them overcome the challenge of temptation and grow in their spiritual gifts.
Intercession
Effective Intercession: Praying in tongues can serve as a powerful form of intercession, allowing Holy Spirit to express prayers on behalf of the believer, especially in times of weakness.
Groanings of the Spirit: Holy Spirit intercedes with groanings than cannot be uttered (Romans 8), expressing deep emotions and needs that the believer may not fully understand.
Community Impact
Sign of Belief: Speaking in tongues is often seen as a sign of the believer’s faith and can serve as a testimony to others about the power of God
Encouragement to Others: When practiced in a community setting, it can encourage and uplift fellow believers, building unity and spiritual growth within the church.
Biblical Foundation
Fulfillment of Prophecy: Speaking in tongues is rooted in Biblical prophecy, as seen in Isaiah and confirmed by Jesus in Mark 16:17, indicating its significance in the life of a believer.
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;”
Historical Continuity: This practice began on the “Day of Pentecost” and has continued throughout church history affirming its importance in the Christian faith.
Six Reasons for Praying in the Spirit
Praying in the Spirit is NOT evidence of being saved as some Pentecostal Groups believe but it is evidence of being baptized in the Holy Spirit. It is absolutely essential for any believer who desires to walk in Holly Spirit and be led by His direction. It is not an option; it is as important as being “Born Again”! In fact, Jesus taught that being born in the Spirit was the definition of being “Born Again” according to John 3.
Praying in tongues is a manifestation of being baptized in Holy Spirit. Acts 2:4; 10:44-46
“And they were all filled with Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
“Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. 45 The Jewish beleivers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles too. 46 For thry heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God”
Praying in Tongues can be an actual language spoken supernaturally as on the Day of Pentecost; Acts 2:5-6
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven 6 And at this sound the multitude came together and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in their own language.
There have been many testimonies over the years of this exact thing happening again to confirm Jesus’ identity to an unbeliever.
Praying in Tongues can be a sign to an unbeliever that Christ dwells among you; 1 Corinthians 14:20-22a
“Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is written ‘By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even they will not listen to me, says the Lord.’ 22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers…”
Praying in Tongues can be an actual heavenly language known only to Holy Spirit and Angels; 1 Corinthians 13:1
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”
Praying in Tongues can be a personal prayer language used both individually and corporately 1 Corinthians 14:14
“for if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.”
Declaring a tongue publicly. When there is a public manifestation of someone declaring a tongue, there also must be an interpretation given of the word. 1 Corinthians 14:26-28
“What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Let all things be dome for building up. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turns, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of then keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God.”
May the Lord bless you in your quest to follow Jesus and may you will filled with the Spirit and flow in the power of Holy Spirit.