PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT
By W. G. Guy
Praying in the spirit is actually praying in an unknown language referred to as a “tongue”. Praying in tongues, or speaking in tongues is vehemently opposed by some non-Pentecostal churches. Those churches that hold to the Calvinist doctrine show an extreme hatred toward the speaking or praying in tongues. This writer knows this personally because I was raised in a church that held to the Calvinist beliefs, even though they did not understand what Calvinism really is.
After later being baptized in the Holy Spirit, which included being gifted with speaking and praying in tongues, I began to research why those under the doctrine of Calvinism were so opposed to the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. My research led me to investigate the life of John Calvin from which the Calvinist doctrine originated. What I discovered was a shocking discovery of the cause of this hatred and opposition to this Pentecostal experience.
To briefly share what I learned from history, John Calvin had a vehement hatred toward those that rejected and opposed his doctrine; so much so that he had his principal opponent burned at the stake. Calvin had him murdered! This hatred by Calvin was demonic and Satan inspired. I then realized it was that same evil demonic spirit from Calvin that is carried on by those that embrace John Calvin’s doctrine. This was evident in the way many Calvinists continue to oppose “tongues” and the Pentecostal experience. They claim that it is not for today. However, for them to say this is to deny scripture and the teaching of the apostles Peter and Paul. On the day of Pentecost Peter declared:
Acts 2:38-39 – Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (This means this experience is valid right up through today.)
The Pentecostal experience began on the Day of Pentecost and continues until the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul specifically addresses this in his first letter to the Church at Corinth in which he goes on to identify the supernatural empowerment by the nine Gifts of the Spirit, in 1 Corinthians 12, and then also address the use of tongues in and by the saints in Chapter 14.
1 Corinthians 1:7 – so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
I will address praying in the spirit shortly, but first I need to address why the strong, and vehement hatred of tongues. I asked the question, Why is tongues so opposed? After recognizing that the severe opposition comes from Satan, then it became clear why the devil hates tongues and fights against it so strongly. When I pray in tongues, Satan has no idea what I am praying about; therefore he has no means of opposing the response coming back from my Heavenly Father. By praying in tongues, my prayers bypass Satan’s knowledge. The apostle Paul identifies this explicitly:
1 Corinthians 14:2 – For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
Praying in the spirit is speaking to God in mysteries that neither man, nor Satan, can know or understand. Satan hates that!
1 Corinthians 14:14-15 – For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
When praying in the spirit it is the Spirit of the Lord within you that is praying. This is of great benefit because there are times that you do not know what to pray for, or how to pray, in certain situations. Therefore you allow the Spirit to pray for you in languages that you do not know or understand.
Romans 8:26-27 – Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Being able to pray in the spirit is becoming more and more important in these last days as conditions in this world deteriorate as Jesus foretold. This is especially important when you or your family members are under attack by the spiritual wickedness that is increasing in the world.
Luke 21:31-36 – So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
It is important to remember that this ability that is given us by our Heavenly Father is for us to use right up to the time that Jesus returns for us. Again -
1 Corinthians 1:7 – so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Those of the Calvinist doctrine claim such is not for today saying that the supernatural Gifts of the Holy Spirit ceased with the completion or canonization of the Bible, citing Paul’s words.
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 – Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
The fallacy of the Calvinist doctrine is, has knowledge vanished away? Obviously, not! In fact, knowledge is on the increase as stated in the Book of Daniel. The statement, when that which is perfect is come, actually refers to the completion of this age that occurs at the return of Christ.
This writer has a grave concern for those who say that tongues are of the devil. The reason is that they are actually blaspheming the Holy Spirit which is the unpardonable sin which is calling the Holy Spirit an unclean or evil spirit. See Matthew 12:22-30 to see that the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out evil spirits by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. Then Jesus warns them that this is blasphemy. Much like too many Calvinist preachers are saying today.
Matthew 12:31-32 – Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Please be aware of this fallacy of the non-Pentecostal churches.
Therefore, please seek the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the ability to pray in the spirit, (in tongues), because you will need it before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. And follow the command of the apostle Paul:
1 Corinthians 14:39 – Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Tongues is a vital prayer language needed today, especially when you don’t know what or how to pray!
Note: prophesy is speaking or preaching under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, much as in the same way the authors of the Holy Bible were inspired to write. For more information on the study of Calvinism see Lesson 105 - Salvation, in the Logos Bible Study above.
