“In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words.”
Romans 8:26 AMP
“With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.”
Ephesians 6:18 AMP
“But you, beloved, build yourselves up on [the foundation of] your most holy faith [continually progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], pray in the Holy Spirit,”
Jude 1:20 AMP
We either pray in the spirit or in the soul.
When we pray in the soul, our prayers are a reflection of what's going on in our soul / fleshly lives. When we pray from the soul - our prayers are not in line with Abba's will & purpose for our lives. And it will prevent us from walking in His true purpose for our lives!
On the flip side... Praying in the spirit is about praying about everything according to Abba's will and desire for our lives.
How often do we ask someone to pray & intercede for us for situations we face... And we pray soulish prayers that Abba would give outcome to our situations. But have we ever stopped and thought that our soulish prayers might be the very thing that stands in the way of the breakthrough?
Whenever we pray from our soul instead of our spirit - we prevent Abba's will from being established. Our intentions might be pure, but our doctrine is not. Because we are not following Yeshua's instructions.
Our prayers are powerful. And when we pray for things that's not according to Abba's will - we are actively working against His Kingdom - all under the impression that we're doing a good thing.
When we pray for others & for situations in our own lives - we should wait on Abba to reveal to us what we should pray. That He will reveal to us what His heart is in and for the situation.
When we pray in the soul we might be part of the reason why we and those we pray for don't get breakthrough & victory.
When we pray in the spirit, we go to the root that's preventing the breakthrough, revealing the process Abba want's to take us through so that there could be true victory!
Everytime we pray for someone else, it's like standing in the gap. And standing in the gap for someone is a massive responsibility! If you pray from your soul, you are not praying for the will of Abba to be done!
There's a reason why Yeshua taught us to pray: "Our Father in heaven YOUR will be done..."
When we face tough situations we shouldn't just pray for it to pass. We should pray that Abba's will be done and that He will reveal to us what He wants to teach us from the season we're facing.
When we have a teachable heart, we'll see how things start to shift! As in heaven, so on earth!
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:10 ESV
Our biggest purpose on earth is to know God and to make Him known.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV
This includes that we will pray according to His will and as per His instructions. We must ask Him for wisdom. When we ask, He will reveal to us what He wants us to pray as well as what He wants us to learn.
“If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:5-6 AMP
Prayer is a combination of wisdom & faith. Wisdom to know the will of God and faith to trust the will of God. Selfish motives will not be blessed by God.
“You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires.”
James 4:3 AMP
“'Also, when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to pray [publicly] standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets so that they may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your most private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:5-6 AMP
We have to pray in total submission to God! And regardless of the storms we face in life, we should remain thankful!
“Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving.”
Colossians 4:2 AMP
When we pray for breakthrough we have to be persistent! Abba does not work on our time. We fall into His.
“Now Jesus was telling the disciples a parable to make the point that at all times they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart,”
Luke 18:1 AMP
“be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 AMP
Part of praying in Abba's will / praying in the spirit - regardless whether the answer is "yes", "no" or "wait" - is that we accept His judgement, we submit to His will and we continue to pray!
Praying in the spirit does not require big words and fancy phrases or a platform for the world to see your "religiousness."
Even when we have no words, but we live according to His instructions and our hearts are inclined to His voice - we we can rest in the knowing that the Holy Spirit (Ruach Hakodesh = רוה הקודש) is interceding for us!
“And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of God’s people in accordance with God’s will. And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.”
Romans 8:27-28 AMP