Prayer XXIX
Earlier
I have defined prayer, talked about components of prayer, who should pray, reasons for prayer, time to pray, places of prayer, occasions of prayer and how to pray.
From article ten, I have been talking on types of prayer and I shall continue with the types by giving some advises and concluding on praying in the Spirit in this article.
(IX) Advise
Like the apostles would advice brethren after charging them, I equally want to offer these pieces of advice to us as we determine more than ever to be communing with our heavenly Father.
1. Do Not Restrict from Speaking in Tongue
Apostle Paul in his words of admonition to the saints at Corinth told them not to restrict people from speaking in tongues, praying in the spirit, for it is good as the person essentially establishes himself, his faith, speaking mysteries in the heavenly realm and would be talking to God on the behalf of the brethren too.
“Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.” (I Cor. 14:39)
2. Desire Speaking in Tongue
There have been misconceptions by people that those who do not speak with tongues do not have the spirit of God, but I do not believe that is true. However, Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Corinth admonishes them to “covet best gift”. This best gift the bible scholars believed is gift of love as he speaks about love extensively in the following chapter.
“But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” (1 Co 12:31)
Greek word for covet here is “ζηλόω”, Romanized form is zēloō (pronounced as dzay-lo'-o) which means to have warm feeling for, have desire for.
When you have warm desire to possess something, not even the devil can stand on your way from possessing such. Intriguingly, having this gift is free, you can possess the gift in the corner of your room when you open your minds to God through prayer, telling him that you want the gift he will give you.
Using what the apostle says here as a template, I also want to say that we can covet praying in tongue. It is a gift that we should desire possessing. Knowing that it is what one desires that one would work towards possessing.
I remember one of the brethren who has been following me to the place of prayer for months if not years, however, he discovers that when others were moved to speak in tongue he was never moved like that, and he started praying for this, talks to me about this and we dedicate a time of the prayer session to praying with him for the gift and he receives the gift. He receives the gift because he covets it, desires it and God grants the gift to him.
3. Person speaking in tongue without an interpreter in the church should speak silently
To avoid confusion and disorderliness, the apostle says those praying in tongues in the church should do so silently.
“If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
“But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.” (I Cor 14: 27-28)
What he is saying about silent here is when the church has been still and the congregation is not praying loud again, those speaking in tongues should also mute their speaking in tongues, they should not arise the congregation as if they have words of prophesy for the church.
4. We should always pray in the Spirit
When we pray in the spirit, our hearts would always be opened, connected to God like a lover says of his love in the songs of Solomon.
“I sleep, but my heart waketh…” (SOS 5:2a)
X. Conclusion
I sincerely want us to know that it is a wonderful experience when we pray in the spirit in association with the Holy Spirit. Praying in the Spirit would have meaning to us if we read Jesus word in John 4:24. Our God is Spirit, we need to be connected to him in the Spirit always.
© 2020 OLUSEGUN
