Praying in the Holy Ghost

[Bro Flame]

Praying in the Holy Ghost (sometimes referenced as "praying in the Spirit") is a phrase and experience that many an Apostolic Christian is familiar with hearing. We've all prayed in the Spirit ourselves, I'm sure. It's and experience we frequent a lot more than likely.

My question is, which I'm sure has been discussed before, is does praying in the Holy Ghost always equate speaking in other tongues? Is it a necessity for a Holy Ghost-filled man or woman to speak in tongues during their prayer life to say that they "prayed in the Spirit"?

Let the comments roll.

[Michael The Disciple]

In Biblical language praying in the Spirit is praying in another language.

Paul explains it that way.

1 Cor. 14:1

1Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2For 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.

Speaking to God in a tongue is speaking to him "in the spirit".

verse

14For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Paul makes clear distinction between praying in the spirit (another language) and praying in the understanding (your own). Makes the same distinction about singing "in the spirit".

15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also

16Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

Four times the Apostle refers to praying in tongues as praying "in the spirit".

There is as much scripture for this as there is that tongues is the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit baptism.

I believe it is "Biblical code" that praying in the Spirit equates to praying in tongues.

We are instructed to pray in the Spirit.

Eph. 6: 18

18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The same one who defined praying in the Spirit now instructs the saints to be about doing it.

Jude the Lords brother wrote:

1:19-20

19These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

[brotherjason]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

In Biblical language praying in the Spirit is praying in another language.

Paul explains it that way.

1 Cor. 14:1

1Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2For 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.

Speaking to God in a tongue is speaking to him "in the spirit".

verse

14For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Paul makes clear distinction between praying in the spirit (another language) and praying in the understanding (your own). Makes the same distinction about singing "in the spirit".

15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also

16Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

Four times the Apostle refers to praying in tongues as praying "in the spirit".

There is as much scripture for this as there is that tongues is the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit baptism.

I believe it is "Biblical code" that praying in the Spirit equates to praying in tongues.

We are instructed to pray in the Spirit.

Eph. 6: 18

18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The same one who defined praying in the Spirit now instructs the saints to be about doing it.

Jude the Lords brother wrote:

1:19-20

19These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Romans 8:26
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

King James Version (KJV)

That's the understanding I have also. It's hard for me to trust when I don't understand what's coming out of my mouth, but my reading of the Word tells me there are some things that I just can't get out with my own mind under my own understanding.

[consapente89]

Paul differentiated praying in the Spirit and praying with understanding. A balanced prayer life includes both. I do believe there may times in prayer where one can transition from praying in the Spirit, without understanding to praying in the Spirit with understanding. What I mean by this is, I may be praying in tongues and then enter into a place of prayer in the Spirit where I am praying in English but there is such a level of unction that it is not necessarily being formulated in my mind, but in the Spirit, albeit I understand and know what I am praying. To be honest, for me personally, this is the pinnacle of prayer. To pray according to the unction and mind of the Spirit, while knowing and understanding the words spoken. To get there, I have usually spent a great deal of time speaking in tongues first.

[james34]

-This “praying in the Spirit” is an explanation given by Paul, as to what one is doing when they speak in tongues ( the gift of tongues) without an interpretation. This “tongue” being referenced as praying in the spirit , was part of a comparing of two gifts, (prophecy and tongues)The lack of interpretation of the tongue was a key point which showed the preference of prophecy over that of the tongue.

12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church


-Also the context of this particular reference to tongues , has more to do with being in the presence of others than a private prayer time alone.

6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine

-It does suggest that this should be done when alone if we can’t or don’t have the accompanying understanding/interpretation.

19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue

[Esaias]

Contrary to what was posted above in several posts Paul did NOT say that "praying in the Spirit = tongues" nor did he even call tongues "praying in the Spirit".

He said this:

1 Corinthians 14:14-16 KJV
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. [15] What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. [16] Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

He says WHEN he prays in an unknown tongue, his spirit prays. Then he contrasts praying "WITH the spirit" and praying "WITH the understanding". He isn't talking about "praying IN the Spirit", but praying WITH the spirit vs praying WITH the understanding. That is, when his spirit prays without the understanding vs when he prays with the understanding also.

1 Corinthians 14:2 KJV
For 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.

Here a person speaking in tongues is SPEAKING (not necessarily "praying") mysteries (unintelligible things), and is doing this "in the spirit" (by the operation of the Holy Spirit).

If you are speaking in tongues you are speaking mysteries and doing so "in the spirit".

So what are you doing if you are interpreting? Or prophesying? You are not speaking mysteries, per se, but are you not still speaking "in the spirit"?

"Praying in the Spirit" comes from here:

Ephesians 6:18 KJV
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Paul says that ALL prayer and supplication is to ALWAYS be "in the Spirit". Therefore, praying in the Spirit is not limited to praying or speaking in an unknown tongue. Praying in the Spirit means praying as the Spirit leads, as well as meaning praying fervently and sincerely from the heart.

Notice this:

Acts 18:24-25 KJV
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. [25] This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

Apollos was a disciple of John, yet he is said to be "fervent in the spirit". Not "fervent in spirit" but fervent in the spirit. He had not been baptised in Jesus' name, did not have the Holy Ghost, yet he is fervent "in the spirit". Obviously this means sincere, from the heart, an on-fire attitude towards God, genuine and heartfelt.

The phrase "in the spirit/in the Spirit" does not strictly mean "in unknown tongues".