The Power of Praying in the Spirit
Acts 1:4-5 ESV
And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
Acts 1:8 ESV
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Acts 2:1-4 ESV
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
1. The prayer language strengthens the believer as they use it when they pray
1 Corinthians 14:4a NLT
A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally,
Jude 1:20 ESV
But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit;
2. The prayer language is mysterious
1 Corinthians 14:2 NLT
For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious.
1 Corinthians 14:2b NIV
he utters mysteries with his spirit.
3. You cannot understand the prayer language with your mind
1 Corinthians 14:14 NLT
For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.
4. The prayer language is vocal
1 Corinthians 14:14-15 NLT
For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying. Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.
5. When using the prayer language the Spirit prays but my spirit prays
1 Corinthians 14:2 NLT
For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious.
6. Paul assumes everyone can have the prayer language
1 Corinthians 14:18 NLT
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you.
