To Pray in the Spirit is NOT to Speak in Tongues at Your Own Will
To Pray in the Spirit is NOT to Speak in Tongues at Your Own Will
What Does it Mean to Pray in the Spirit?
🌱 To pray in the Spirit is to engage your spirit (heart) with the Spirit of God. It is not merely about speaking in tongues, but about a deep, heart-to-heart connection with God through meditation. The Apostle Paul explains this in Romans 8:26-27, saying that the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
True prayer in the Spirit comes from a place of surrender, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your heart into communion with God.
God Looks at the Heart
When we pray, God is not impressed by outward appearances or the sound of our words. 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us that “The Lord does not see as man sees; man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
A man can speak in tongues loudly for all to hear, but if his heart is filled with filth, hatred, offense, anger, or lust, God will not accept his prayers. Matthew 6:5-6 teaches us that true prayer is a private conversation with God, not a performance to be seen or heard by others.
Purity of Heart is the Key
🌱 Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” This simply means Meditation from a pure heart is a visit to God. This verse shows us that a pure heart allows us to truly connect with God. Praying in the Spirit requires a clean heart, free from malice and sin.
To pray in the Spirit is not about saying words—it’s about praying prayer. As Prophet TB Joshua once said:
“True Christianity lies in the heart, in the purity of the heart.”
When we approach God with a pure heart, free of distractions and unconfessed sin, we are engaging in true prayer.
The Example of Cornelius
🌱 Let us look at the life of Cornelius in Acts 10. The Angel said to him: “God has heard your prayers and seen your gifts to the poor.”
This shows us that Cornelius had a consistent habit of praying and giving to the poor, all from a pure heart. His prayers were not empty words but came from a place of genuine devotion to God and love for others.
What was the result?
In Acts 10:44-46, the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and those with him, enabling them to speak in tongues. But notice this: the gift of tongues came not by their own will, but by divine providence. Cornelius did not strive to speak in tongues; instead, God rewarded his pure-hearted devotion with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Main Takeaway
🌱 What many Christians lack is consistency in their relationship with God. This is the secret we see in the life of Cornelius (Acts 10:30–31).
Praying in the Spirit is not a one-time event or an outward display; it is a daily habit of communion with God through a pure heart. It is expressed through love for God and love for others.
When our relationship with God is consistent and our hearts are pure, we will receive the Holy Spirit in His fullness. The ability to speak in tongues, or any other spiritual gift, will then flow naturally—not from self-will, but from the Spirit’s work in us.
Steps to Pray in the Spirit
Purify Your Heart
Examine your heart before God. Confess any sin, remove anger, hatred, or bitterness, and approach Him with a clean heart.Meditate on God’s Word
Meditation allows your spirit to engage with the Spirit of God. Take time to reflect on Scripture and align your thoughts with His truth.Love God and Others
Show your love for God through obedience to His Word and love for others. As Cornelius did, give generously and pray consistently.Surrender to the Holy Spirit
Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers. Do not strive to speak in tongues or perform outwardly; trust that the Spirit will lead you in prayer.Be Consistent
Make prayer and meditation a daily habit. Consistency in your walk with God will deepen your relationship with Him and open the door for the Holy Spirit to work in your life.
Good Morning 
and PROSPER 
today
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Published by SpiritWorshipGen – A Generation of Spiritual Worshippers