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010 - Two Major Distinctions In Prayer
The Bible also highlights two major distinctions in prayer that apply to all kinds of prayer, and must be developed by every disciple. Paul highlights them in:
1 Corinthians 14:14,15:
“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.” (1Cor 14:14-15 NKJV)
“For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive [it bears no fruit and helps nobody]. Then what am I to do? I will pray with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will also pray [intelligently] with my mind and understanding; I will sing with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will sing [intelligently] with my mind and understanding also.” (1Corinthians 14:14-15 AMP)
Paul prayed both in tongues (in the spirit) and with his understanding (his known language). He says in 1 Corinthians 14:18 that he prayed in tongues much, more than all. He is not here comparing methods and saying one is better than another. Both aspects were very well developed in his life, and so they should be in ours.
Mary Alice Isleib says of this area of praying with the understanding (with the aid o¬f the intellect):
“Just as the Holy Spirit quickens your inner man, He also quickens your mind to pray. The Holy Spirit wants your mind involved in your prayers. Many Charismatic Christians love to pray in tongues, and they should, because tongues is emphasised for us in the New Testament. Yet when we look at the prayer life of many believers, you find that the side of praying with the understanding is weak.” (P34)
“God wants your spirit and your mind to be built up so they can work together. When your mind becomes built up, enlightened, and empowered by truths from God’s Word, your mind and your spirit are flowing together and you will see powerful results.” (p40)
We are encouraged to develop and exercise both of these aspects. Praying with our understanding, using the Word as our foundation; and to pray directly from our spirit using Spirit inspired utterance in tongues. Both are essential, and as we consider the different kinds of prayer we will touch upon both facets in more detail.
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By David Lee MartinThe Bible also highlights two major distinctions in prayer that apply to all kinds of prayer, and must be developed by every disciple. Paul highlights them in:
1 Corinthians 14:14,15:
“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.” (1Cor 14:14-15 NKJV)
“For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive [it bears no fruit and helps nobody]. Then what am I to do? I will pray with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will also pray [intelligently] with my mind and understanding; I will sing with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will sing [intelligently] with my mind and understanding also.” (1Corinthians 14:14-15 AMP)
Paul prayed both in tongues (in the spirit) and with his understanding (his known language). He says in 1 Corinthians 14:18 that he prayed in tongues much, more than all. He is not here comparing methods and saying one is better than another. Both aspects were very well developed in his life, and so they should be in ours.
Mary Alice Isleib says of this area of praying with the understanding (with the aid o¬f the intellect):
“Just as the Holy Spirit quickens your inner man, He also quickens your mind to pray. The Holy Spirit wants your mind involved in your prayers. Many Charismatic Christians love to pray in tongues, and they should, because tongues is emphasised for us in the New Testament. Yet when we look at the prayer life of many believers, you find that the side of praying with the understanding is weak.” (P34)
“God wants your spirit and your mind to be built up so they can work together. When your mind becomes built up, enlightened, and empowered by truths from God’s Word, your mind and your spirit are flowing together and you will see powerful results.” (p40)
We are encouraged to develop and exercise both of these aspects. Praying with our understanding, using the Word as our foundation; and to pray directly from our spirit using Spirit inspired utterance in tongues. Both are essential, and as we consider the different kinds of prayer we will touch upon both facets in more detail.