Here’s a question for you my friend: How’s your prayer life? Is it strong? Is it consistent? Most importantly, is it effectual? Are your prayers being positively answered? Or for that matter, do you know whether or not your prayers are even being heard by Father? 

In today’s post, we’re going to look at a central Truth or component to effectual prayer. And that central Truth of effectual prayer has to do with “praying in the Spirit.” Now, before some of you get completely turned off and shut me down, let me just say that this is not a discussion on speaking and praying in tongues. And we’ll discuss once we get to the main content of this post the difference between “praying in tongues” and “praying in the spirit.” They are actually two separate aspects of prayer that are often conflated. But my hope is that by the time we complete this discussion, we will have a much better understanding of how we are to pray; the method by which we are to pray; the means by which we are to pray: all of which is purposed to energize and make our prayer lives effectual and powerful.

 

The Gospel of the Kingdom Requirements

As I promised in a previous post, this will be the 3rd part of a 3-part series on Prayer and the Gospel of the Kingdom I delivered to a congregation located on the East Coast.

Let me just say that this is not an actual recording of that message I gave. Plain and simple, I forgot to record the presentation. So I am essentially reproducing that presentation for you today. I pray that you will be blessed by the message as much as it blessed me in putting it together for you.

There are indeed hard and set rules for entering the Kingdom of YHVH. Those hard and fast rules may be summed up in Master Yahoshua’s directive to “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.”

This directive is part and parcel of the so-called “Beatitudes” or the “Sermon on the Mount.” And it was is in these Beatitudes that Master lays out for us the “rules” or “keys” to the Kingdom.

There Are Rules and Keys to Entering the Kingdom of YHVH

Why are these rules or keys to the Kingdom important? Quite simply: if we don’t possess those keys to the Kingdom; if we don’t obey the rules of the Kingdom, then of course we don’t stand a snowball’s chance in hades of actually getting into the Kingdom.

It was in fact the Apostle Shaul (aka Paul) who wrote concerning this:

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1Co 6:9-11 ESV)

This is pretty hard stuff to read, especially if you really look at this thing in its stark reality. The offenses put forth by Paul to his Corinthian audience are essentially violations of the rules to the Kingdom. And Paul is essentially telling his readers here that those who participate in any such foolishness—violations of Torah essentially—violations to the elements of Mashiyach’s Beatitude or Sermon on the Mount message, will NOT inherit the Kingdom of YHVH. Plain and simple.

The Rules and Keys For Entering Yah’s Kingdom Are Exacting and Challenging

And these are just general categories of offenses mind you. For when we factor in Master’s advanced/elevated expectations, many of us may very well be at risk of not making it into the Kingdom.

That’s why Master was so precise in his directive to the gathered disciples that they focus on the things of the Kingdom and in walking out Father’s righteousness in their lives. And if the well-meaning disciple of Mashiyach would simply do that, then everything else in this and the life to come will fall right into place. Father will take care of everything else in a true disciple’s life.

But it was in the midst of teaching us about the rules and keys to the Kingdom that Master, out of nowhere, brings up the issue of prayer. And He brings up this issue of prayer in the middle of His comparing and contrasting the practices and teachings of the Prushim (aka, the Pharisees). And one of the many things that the Prushim did that was counter to or contrary to the Ways of YHVH and of His Kingdom was how they prayed.

Master said to His disciples:

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites (I.e., the Prushim). For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Mat 6:5-6 ESV)

But then Master adds this tidbit to his teaching which will prove important to our discussion on prayer today:

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven….. (Mat 6:7-9 ESV)

So the very fact that Jesus spends a great many verses talking about and teaching about prayer should be an indication to the serious bible student of the critical importance of prayer. More so, this should highlight the importance of engaging in proper and effective prayer.

 

The Importance of Prayer

The Messianic Prayer Life must be based on the Spirit/The Ruach in order for it to be truly effectual.

We know that effective and proper prayer is critically important to every disciple of Mashiyach’s life-walk because Yahoshua clearly said so:

Luk. 18:1-7–“And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not faint (ie., not grow weary).

Luk. 21:36–Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

The critical importance of proper and effective prayer was demonstrated by our Master’s disciples in the days subsequent to His ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Shavuot (I.e., Pentecost):

Act. 1:14–These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.

Act. 6:4–But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

The Apostle Shaul also made it clear to the members of his assemblies of the critical importance of effective and proper prayer:

Rom. 12:12–Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant (devoted/steadfast) in prayer;

Phi. 4:6–Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

1 The. 5:17–Pray without ceasing.

And these are just snippets regarding the importance that Yahoshua and His apostles placed on prayer.

Prayer: The Least Understood—Least Utilized—Most Abused and Misused Tool

So, it’s common understanding (or at least it should be common understanding) in our Faith Community or among Bible-lovers, that when something is mentioned over and over in Scripture, that which is mentioned over and over is important. This being the case with the topic and issue of prayer, why then is prayer the least understood and utilized by Believers; and at times, the most abused and misused tool in a disciple’s arsenal of spiritual weapons and instruments? And the fact that Master sandwiched the topic of prayer into His Sermon on the Mount, if you will, would suggest that effective and properly executed prayer is one of the keys to gaining the Kingdom of YHVH.

Sadly, many of us struggle with prayer. Some of us avoid prayer altogether. And far too many of us, knowing prayer is important, simply go through formatted motions as a means of appeasing or meeting a mandate to pray.

Consequently, when we gauge the whole of our Faith Community, our individual and corporate prayers appear to be all over the place. They are either lacking in substance and understanding on one end of the spectrum, while being demanding and preachy on the other.

And the downside to our problems with prayer is that the needs of the Body don’t get properly and effectively addressed as they should. Why? Because way too many of us struggle to understand the value, power and importance of prayer in our lives. Thus, all too often, our prayers are ineffective.

The Universal Uneasiness Associated With Prayer

For many of us, there’s an inherent uneasiness when we’re asked to engage in personal or private prayer. Or worse, when asked to lead corporate prayer (I.e., prayer in a fellowship or group setting).

Many of Yah’s people just don’t care to engage in prayer for a variety of reasons. And probably the greatest of all reasons for not willingly engaging in prayer is that many of us struggle with not knowing how or what to pray for in any given situation. Many of us have inherent uncertainties that our prayers will not amount to anything. And so, like anything else, if we believe in our heart that our efforts aren’t going to amount to anything, we either “fake it till we make it” and simply go through contrived motions. (And these types of prayers are typically devoid of substance or power.) Or we avoid praying altogether.

So a great many of us simply go through motions of uttering empty words (recall Matthew 6:7-13) that we sheepishly or ignorantly label as prayer. In these half-hearted attempts at prayer, many of us struggle with how to execute; how to articulate our prayers. And thus our prayer lives suffer immeasurably such that the issues and people we’re tasked with praying for do not receive the spiritual attention they deserve.

So if prayer is supposed to be so important to our walk with Messiah—such that it appears to be one of the keys to the Kingdom, why is prayer such a challenge to so many of us? Why do so many of us struggle in our prayer lives? Was prayer meant to be so challenging and self-defeating?

The Challenge of Prayer is Founded in a Lack of Understanding of the Medium Prayer is Supposed to Take Place In

Well, I believe I have a solid, biblically supported reason for this struggle and challenge so many of us have related to effective and proper prayer. And the reason why prayer is a challenge for many of us is because we do not fully grasp the medium in which prayer is supposed to take place in. Most of us are praying in the physical—in the flesh. That’s right, you heard me.

Prayer is NOT intended to be an exercise of the flesh…

Think about this key passage for just a moment.

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (Joh. 4:23, 24)

For Prayer to Effectively and Consistently Work For Us…

We must interact—communicate—worship—seek—yea, pray to the Father in the medium of the spirit and in Father’s indisputable Truths that He has so graciously given us in His eternal Word of Truth. There’s no other way to effectively communicate with the Almighty I’m afraid.

The Church Fails to Teach Her Members How to Pray Biblically

The so-called “Church” has miserably failed her members by failing to biblically disciple and teach the Body of Mashiyach (or even Christ) the way our Master discipled and taught His disciples turned apostles. Within that teaching and discipling regimen that every believer should boldly undertake—preferably at the start of their journey and walk—they must be properly and accurately taught the Truth, purpose and importance of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Master proclaimed to his disciples the following:

“I will ask the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see Him (ie., theoreo–the world doesn’t have the “eyes to see and recognize” the Spirit of Yah), or know Him (gnosko–intimately know Him); but ye know Him, for He dwells with you and shall be in you (accomplished by Master as promised on the Day of Pentecost—aka Shavuot which would occur just a couple months later).” John 14:16, 17

The Crucial Reality and Importance of the Spirit Realm

So important is the reality of the Spirit realm and the Holy Spirit to a disciple’s life that Yahoshua informed Nicodemus that “except one is born of water and the Spirit, that soul cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.” Why? Yeshua explains why: “because that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (Joh. 3:5, 6).

The term “born” as used by Yeshua here happens to be the Greek term “gennao.” Gennao means: “that which causes one to experience a radical change in their person/being such that they are made into a new creature. That new creature lives in the physical world, but it must understand how to operate in the spiritual world.”

The Holy Spirit is a Cricial Resource for Every Messianic

Folks, Yahoshua is not describing the Holy Spirit as simply “a thing” that somehow rests upon a believer as some sort of seal or mark or guarantee for his/her future admittance into the Kingdom. Indeed, the Holy Spirit does act as a sign and a deposit of the hope that is supposed to be in each of us. But it is so much more than that.

For Yahoshua tells us that He sent the Comforter/the Holy Spirit as an “all-in-one” resource for us. A resource that equips and strengthens and heals and guides and leads us into all Truth—all understanding.

Prayers Often Hindered Because They Take Place in the Wrong Realm

I submit to you here today that the reason our prayers are not as effectual as they should be is because we insist on living and operating in the flesh when we’ve been told to live and operate in the Spirit.

Consequently, when we live and operate in the flesh, we by default will tend to or lean towards praying in the flesh.

And folks, this is the bottom line problem believers have regarding prayer in a nutshell. We pray exclusively in the flesh. And sadly, we’ve not learned the importance of and how to pray in the Spirit.

The problem most of us face in our prayer lives is that we default to praying in the “flesh.”

Plain and simple: Each and everyone of us require the Holy Spirit to be fully functioning in our Prayer Live.

Why? Why do we need the Holy Spirit in our prayer lives?

The Flesh is Incompatable With the Things of the Spirit

Simply put: the flesh is sorely weak and incapable of properly facilitating effectual prayer.

Regarding the critical role the Holy Spirit plays in the prayer life of a disciple of Yahoshua, Paul wrote to the Roman Assembly of Messianic Believers:

“…the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will (Rom. 8:26, 27; KJV).

This is why we need the Holy Spirit operating, not just in our prayers, but in every conceivable part of our day-to-day lives. And this is the primary reason we have to stop ignoring the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Friends, let me just be real with you here for a second. Messianics and Hebrew Rooters, in general, get real nervous whenever someone brings up things related to the Holy Spirit. Many Rooters and Messianics have for a variety of reasons, disavowed anything having to do with the Holy Spirit after they’ve transitioned into this beloved Faith of ours. And this, quite frankly, is our community’s “Achilles Heel” so to speak (at least one of them let’s just say).

So for our prayers to be effectual and relevant and powerful, our prayers must be fueled by the Holy Spirit. Why? Because our flesh is incapable of interfacing effectively with the things of the spirit realm; especially the things of the Holy Spirit. The flesh is once again, weak. We need the Spirit to intercede on our behalf in accordance with the Will of the Father.

The Spiritual Warfare Factor

The other reason we must learn to pray in the Spirit is because we are in the midst of a brutal war. We are soldiers in a spiritual battle that is perpetually being waged all around us. And that war is being waged in the spirit realm. We see clear evidence of this war as it spills over into our physical realm (e.g., sicknesses; violence; chaos and confusion; hopelessness; etc). But the real war is being waged in the heavenlies—in the spirit realm.

Paul revealed this horrific reality to his Ephesian readers when he wrote:

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:12, 13

 

And then Paul puts this spiritual war into a brilliant perspective as it relates to a believer’s prayer life when he writes just four-verses later:

“… take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints…“ Eph. 6:17-18

We MUST learn to operate in the Spirit in every aspect of our lives, INCLUDING OUR PRAYER LIVES

So the weakness of our flesh and the reality of a pervasive spiritual war that is being waged around us demand that we operate in the Spirit in every aspect of our lives; especially in our prayer lives.

We find in Galatians 5:24, where Paul suggests to the Galatian Messianics that if they live by the Spirit, they must also behave in accordance with the Spirit (NET).

Peter told his readers that they must live by the Spirit in the way that God has provided (1 Peter 4:6).

 

If we are to operate in the Spirit, it stands to reason that our prayers must be conducted in/through/by/with the Spirit…

One of our responsibilities as emissaries of the Kingdom is to pray and intercede on behalf of others. Thus, it is imperative that we understand how to pray and what to pray for. The flesh understands the things of the flesh, the Spirit the things of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:11).

So then, if we desire our prayers to be effective, our prayers must be Spirit-based. For we’ve determined, biblically, that the flesh is incapable of tapping into spiritual things. And thus in order for our prayers to work, we must connect with Father’s precious Holy Spirit.

Praying in the Flesh Relies Exclusively Upon Human Abilities

Know this: Prayer that employs or taps the power of the flesh relies exclusively upon human abilities and efforts.

We see evidence of this when brethren offer perfectly thought out, doctrinally correct prayers. In these flesh-based prayers:

• People all too often rely on flowery words; loud boisterous utterances; and the length of their prayers in order for them to feel they’re getting through to YHVH.
• Or they stumble all over themselves in their prayers and their prayers seem to be all over the place.
• Yeshua instructed us to not conduct our prayers as the Gentiles/pagans do—which is essentially praying according to the nature of one’s flesh.
• These are all failed and veiled attempts to imitate or replace the role of the Spirit in our prayers.

These flesh-based prayers are all too often counterfeit prayers.

Thus the Holy Spirit helps our weaknesses in the flesh by teaching us how to pray.

It is then imperative that we understand and learn to pray in the Spirit because one of the roles of the Holy Spirit in a disciple’s life/walk with Messiah, is that the Spirit helps us in our weakness by teaching us how to pray and what to pray for.

What does Paul mean by “praying in the Spirit?”

Did Paul mean praying in glossalia—unknown tongues—ecstatic languages? Charismatic Christianity teaches that praying in the Spirit means praying in tongues and they will all too often reference 1 Corinthians 14:14-19 as their proof-text for this:

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. 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. 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. (1Co 14:14-19 ESV)

This is NOT a Speaking in Tongues Debate

First let me say: praying in the Spirit does NOT in and of itself mean praying in ecstatic tongues or in unknown tongues. Do I believe in the efficacy and relevance of glossalia or ecstatic tongues or languages for today’s Messianic? Absolutely. Do I believe praying in ecstatic tongues is of any spiritual value today? Absolutely. But do I believe one must pray in ecstatic tongues in order for one to pray in the Spirit: NO.

The point behind 1 Corinthians 14:14-19 is really about disciples not praying blindly (I.e., not knowing how to pray and or what to pray for), but instead praying with understanding and knowledge. And that understanding and knowledge in prayer comes exclusively by the work of the Holy Spirit in our prayers.

Praying in Tongues Is Not What Paul Meant by Praying in the Spirit

Paul writes about the Corinthians engaging in corporate prayer–tapping into their spirit (ie., that which aligns YHVH’s Spirit with ours)–but doing so utilizing the gift of tongues (glossalia—ecstatic or unknown tongues), which I believe Paul makes very clear here, is for purposes of praise going from the believer up to YHVH. Consequently, the individual who is praying utilizing this form of prayer (I.e., using ecstatic tongues for purposes of conducting corporate prayer) will have no understanding as it relates to the content and true meaning of their prayers. And thus this type of prayer is not appropriate—or let’s just say not a preferred means by which to conduct corporate prayer. Why? Because such prayers do NOT edify—that is, they do not instruct or improve morally, intellectually or spiritually—the Body. Edification always requires that the person doing the edifying understand what it is they are saying to the congregants.

Thus, understanding is crucially important in corporate and even solitary prayer. Without understanding, we do not know what to pray for or how to petition the Almighty to address the matters set before us.

Here, in 1 Corinthians 14:14-19, Paul is specific— the phrase “my spirit” which in the Greek is “tow-pneuma,” is different than the phrase “in the spirit” which “en-pneuma.” Thus, when Paul specifies “my spirit” or “tow-pneuma,” he’s speaking about engaging in one-way spiritual communication with the Almighty. In other words: the disciple of Yeshua is sending up praises and worship to YHVH utilizing ecstatic tongues. When one engages in this form of prayer, he or she is NOT seeking understanding and direction from Father (vss. 16, 17). And contextually speaking, this is of course Paul addressing the Corinthians’ abuse of the gift of tongues, specific to corporate prayers in these verses (vs. 19). Paul is not putting forth a doctrine of corporately praying in tongues that so many of our cousins in charismatic Christianity are prone to do.

Now, does this at all exclude the practice of praying in unknown—ecstatic tongues? No. But just because one were to, let’s say, pray in an unknown tongue (be it corporately or in private), doesn’t mean that individual is effectively “praying in the Spirit;” at least not in the sense that Paul describes in other places of his writings. Here, in this Corinthian passage, Paul is backing prayer that is based upon “understanding.” And that understanding comes through the agency of the Holy Spirit.

In Whatever Type of Prayer We Pray, We Must Pray in the Spirit

Paul writes to the Ephesian Messianics that they should always strive to pray in the Spirit in whatever type of prayer they engage in. He writes:

18 Praying always with all prayer (every type of prayer) and supplication (petition) in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Eph. 6:18).

Praying in the Spirit hearkens back to Yeshua’s declaration and short-term prophecy that there was coming a time when the true worshipers of YHVH would worship the Creator in Spirit and in Truth. So when praying in the Spirit, the Truth-seeking disciple of Yahoshua effectively invites Father’s ‘s Spirit to connect with their spirit. And it is Father’s Spirit that intercedes and works on that disciple’s behalf to make their prayers effectual (Rom. 8:26, 27). You see, Father wants desperately for His children to succeed in accordance with His perfect Will.

Again, we’re compelled to return to Paul’s note to the Roman Messianics, where he wrote:

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will ( Romans 8:26, 27).

Praying in the Spirit is intentional ; it’s focused; targeted; and in many cases even prophetic.

And it is supposed to be practiced in “every type of prayer we engage in as Paul wrote in Ephesians: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Eph 6:18 KJV).

For our prayers to be effective, our prayers must be focused on the heart of the matter that is laid before us. And in order for our prayers to be focused on the heart of the matter that is laid before us, we must understand how to pray for that situation. The flesh pushes us to pray for the thing that is staring us in the face—generally the main symptom of the matter in question in many cases. But what about the actual problem causing the symptom? What about the reason for the problem that is laid before us; or the heart of the matter? The flesh naturally seeks to deal with the immediate symptom, often never even considering the underlying matter that is producing the immediate symptom.

Prayers That Focus on Symptoms Versus the Underlying Problem

What if Father is using the symptom(s) we may be praying for to get that person’s attention or to teach that person something? Maybe Father wants to work something out in that individual or to bring glory and honor to Himself and the Kingdom?

Would praying for relief of the immediate symptom be effectual if it were to go against Father’s will that a change be made in that person’s life? What if the individual in question is directly responsible for the situation they’re in, yet he or she remains unrepentant; stubborn; he or she continues to do that which he or she knows they should not do? In so doing, what if the individual in question remains in a state of disobedience and thus they are essentially reaping what they themselves have sewn? How does praying to eliminate or reverse that immediate symptom that is intended to affect a beneficial change in that individual help that individual? For that matter, the million dollar question that must be asked in this situation is: will Father even honor our prayers to such an end? Probably not.

So then, doesn’t it make spiritual sense that our prayers not focus on the immediate situation, but instead, on the heart of the matter needing correction or assistance? Maybe the individual in question needs their heart to be fixed; a certain behavior corrected? Or maybe Father desires that others see the work being done in that individual’s life and in response to that work, they turn to the Almighty so that they too may have a true and substantive relationship with Him?

Same principle applies to medicine. Conventional medicine today seeks to treat the symptom and not the illness. In following this insane logic of treating the symptom without ever treating the illness, the patient never truly gets well. In many cases, the patient gets worse. Other examples that come readily to mind involve finances, relationships, careers and civil and legal matters. We’re often asked to pray for individuals that are in need of a job; freedom from financial, relational and legal problems.

So we find ourselves in a situation where we, in our prayers, are compelled to pray for an individual’s deliverance from symptoms—such as pains, cancers, respiratory conditions, diabetes, chronic and debilitating ailments, etc. And again, this is because we are relying upon our flesh to pray for the individual’s healing. The truth of the matter, however, is that we typically lack the wisdom and understanding to pray for the actual issue that is creating the symptom (s). And sadly, all too often our prayers go unanswered.

When We Pray in the Flesh We Tend to Focus on the Immediate Symptoms of a Matter

So we naturally pray for relief from the immediate symptom: the need for a job or career; a better relationship; release from legal and financial problems etc. But what about the underlying problem that led to these immediate symptoms in the first place? What if the individual facing these symptoms is in dire need of, let’s say, heart and spiritual correction? And unless we really know this individual—such that we know their background and maybe even the reason they’re having the problems they’re having—unless we know the person we’re praying for, we will not be aware of the underlying problem(s) or situation(s) that is causing the immediate symptoms.

Is it not easy to see why so many disciples of Mashiyach have ineffective—and in many cases, non-existent prayer lives? Because every time we go to Father with our petitions, they seem to fall on death ears. Why? Again, because we only know how to pray in the flesh.

But friends, can you now see the necessity of praying in the Spirit? Can you now see the wisdom behind turning our prayers over to the Holy Spirit such that He teaches us how to pray for the matter before us, and what to pray for regarding that matter?

The Spirit empowers our prayers and carries it to the Father in the Name of Yeshua. Our prayers transition from a state of lifelessness to that of living and power.

John described the prayers of saints in the throne room of God as being contained in golden vials full of odours (Rev. 5:8), and the smoke of the incense of those prayers ascended up before God perpetually (Rev. 8:4).

Praying in the Spirit Builds Up Our Faith

Do me a favor and turn to Jude 1:20. It reads:

20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Jude 1:20

Jude here appears to be addressing the problems of those who are on the surface members of the Messianic Faith Community, but who are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; big talkers; those who love to flatter and favor those whom they feel will get them where they want to go; they that walk according to their own ungodly ways; those who separate themselves; and those WITHOUT THE SPIRIT. Then Jude essentially counsels his readers to build themselves and one another up in Faith by praying in the Holy Spirit.

The point behind this key verse is that one cannot fully know what one needs (in order that they be built up that is) unless Father provides the understanding, knowledge and wisdom, so that he or she knows how and what to pray for on behalf of others. So having understanding is yet again is at the heart of praying in the Spirit.

 

Praying in the Spirit is opposite to praying in the flesh, which relies on our human abilities and understanding.

“Praying In The Spirit” has to do with entering into a dimension of prayer which is under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Thus, he or she who prays in the Spirit intentionally seeks out the Spirit’s help directing their prayers and help in aiding their understanding of the situation needing prayerful attention so that he or she knows how to effectively direct their prayers.

There is really NO other true and effective prayer than that which is conducted in the Spirit

So how does one actually pray in the Spirit?

First, we must never rush our prayers with mindless repetitions of previously learned platitudes or simply asking for the first thing that enters our minds.

We must resist simply praying for the thing that we’ve been asked to pray for without direction and understanding from the Holy Spirit.

We must enter into prayer free from the encumbrances/distractions of the outside world. Maybe even entering into a secluded prayer closet or solitary place.

And then we must beseech the Father to teach us how to pray for a matter through the leading and guidance and revelation of His Holy Spirit. We in effect yield ourselves to Father’s guidance; we allow Him to essentially take over our prayer if you know what I mean.

When we enter prayer with this Spiritual mindset and intent, we are praying in the Spirit and our prayers will be conducted in accordance with Father’s Will.

It is imperative that we admit—or better, confess unto Father–our inabilities and weaknesses. Father demands transparency from us.

Then , we must then rely upon our Faith to seal the deal with Father

The writer of Hebrews wrote that it is impossible to please Father without faith (Heb. 11:6).

• So When We Pray in the Spirit, we must:
• Enter in with a clear conscience…
• Clean hands…
• No personal agendas such that our ultimate aim is to glorify and uplift the Name of YHVH.
• Engage in open and honest conversation with the Almighty…
• Have an open and willing heart that seeks Father’s Will …
• We listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to intercede according to Father’s Will.
• We reflect and meditate on God’s Word—the Word that is written on the tables of our hearts and minds—to keep us in alignment with Father’s ways and His will.
• His Word works in conjunction with His Spirit to guide our prayers and bolster our understanding.

Praying in the Spirit—”en pneuma”–is where we all must aspire as it relates to our prayer life. And once we master this, we must remain ever vigilant and consistent in our praying in absolute faith; without ceasing; and in the Spirit.