Praying in the Spirit: A controversial phenomenon in the church today.

Romans 8:26 - Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

My husband and I attended a healing service in Houston, TX, a few years ago. I was a little cynical after having attended many healing services in the past. When we arrived, there was a small turnout. This event occurred once a month, and from the size of the attendance, I had low expectations. We were early, waiting for the service to begin, and in came a lady slowly walking with a walker. My heart sank. It took what seemed like a lifetime for her to reach her seat. I prayed, "Lord, please heal her tonight." She sat two rows in front of us, but when she passed by, I looked up at her face, and it appeared as though she had had a stroke. She struggled on the walker because one side of her body was weak. Along with her eyelid, her face drooped.  I prayed and I thought about the scriptures and promises of divine healing in the bible. I am telling this story because it is crucial to understand the power of praying in the Holy Spirit.

           No one came in with her. She sat by herself. I didn't think that anyone knew who she was, and I had never seen her before during Sunday services. As the service continued, the pastor's wife asked if anyone needed prayer. She got up and started toward the front of the church. Someone moved her walker out of the way and helped her the rest of the way to the altar. Whenever you attend a tongue-talking Spirit-filled church, they usually ask everybody to pray in the Spirit. When you pray in the Spirit, you remove doubt and unbelief because it's the Spirit praying, not your flesh.

We all began to pray. Suddenly, she hit the floor hard. We continued to pray, and they helped her up. I thought she fell because she didn't have her walker. As she got up, she started screaming, "I can see." She was so excited that she didn't realize she was moving her arm and hand. Because next she yelled, “I can move my arm!” What blew me away was the countenance on her face; it changed dramatically. She looked younger and was smiling. Her face was no longer drooping. No limp, she walked over and sat down. We were rejoicing. God had supernaturally healed her right before our eyes. It was such a blessing to see her healing. 

So, what happened? Why is it almost a crime to pray in the Spirit in church? From my observation of the churches I've visited, there are three common reasons people denounce tongues. The first reason is that many believe spiritual gifts have ceased and are unnecessary in the church. I am still waiting to hear why they think they stopped. Suppose the spiritual gifts ceased. Why would God leave us here helpless when our adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour? Spiritual gifts have NOT ceased! Why? Because I have seen and experienced it personally. Most importantly, I believe in the manifested word of God.

John 14:15-18 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

The second reason is some people believe that we should only pray in tongues if we have the interpretation. How do you know if there will be an interpretation if you've quenched the Spirit? I've gotten the interpretation of tongue while praying in a group session. I didn't even realize what I was doing. But when people came back to tell me that what I had prayed was answered or came to pass, I began to pay attention to what was going on. I would pray in the Spirit and change to declarations in English. If we don't understand a spiritual gift, we can't just discard it. Pray or fast, and I guarantee that the Lord will open your eyes and reveal the truth.

The third reason is fear that it may offend church members and visitors. Let me see, let's look at one of the most exciting, powerful church gatherings in history, recorded in the New Testament.

Acts 2:1-4 - When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 14:22 that tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers. If we are disciples of Christ, we must believe in tongues because we need to be equipped to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

 Mark 16:17 - And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

I appeal to you today to pursue God with all your heart, mind, and soul and remove all the things that do not line up with scripture. I pray, Jesus, that You will restore the spiritual gifts in churches that are sleep and lukewarm. Revive us with the baptism of the Holy Ghost so that we will be effective witnesses on the earth and be able to pray your perfect will in Jesus' Name, Amen!