How can I pray in the spirit?

Prayer is a conversation with God. Speaking from the heart like the tax collector (Luke 18:13) are prayers in the Holy Spirit who's already praying in us (Romans 8:26). Those blessed with the gift of speaking/praying in tongues do so as well (1 Corinthians 12:10). Peace in Christ .

JohnB445 said:

I don't just want to pray to the Lord in times in need, I want to have a close relationship with the Lord. I see a huge difference in prayer now that I do it more often compared to the first time I started praying.

I asked for the Holy Spirit to speak to him, and I noticed a much greater influence of the spirit over the flesh. I almost uttered something but I didn't happen.

Will this be possible over time? Or not everyone will be able to speak in tongues?

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start to pray in the mind, then the mind will enter the heart. And then you become whole.

JohnB445 said:

I don't just want to pray to the Lord in times in need, I want to have a close relationship with the Lord. I see a huge difference in prayer now that I do it more often compared to the first time I started praying.

I asked for the Holy Spirit to speak to him, and I noticed a much greater influence of the spirit over the flesh. I almost uttered something but I didn't happen.

Will this be possible over time? Or not everyone will be able to speak in tongues?

Click to expand...

You could PM for more information about tongues, or you could go to the Spirit-filled Charismatic forum and ask your questions about tongues there. Those who don't believe in tongues cannot debate on that forum, and so answers will be more helpful.

JohnB445 said:

I don't just want to pray to the Lord in times in need, I want to have a close relationship with the Lord. I see a huge difference in prayer now that I do it more often compared to the first time I started praying.

I asked for the Holy Spirit to speak to him, and I noticed a much greater influence of the spirit over the flesh. I almost uttered something but I didn't happen.

Will this be possible over time? Or not everyone will be able to speak in tongues?

Click to expand...

Praying in the Spirit is not necessarily praying in tongues. Some people teach that, but it isn't true. When we pray in the Spirit, the Spirit intercedes with wordless groans inside us. It's communication between us and God, us pouring out our hearts and Him responding and telling us what to pray for. Some people pray in tongues, some don't, but we all pray in the Spirit when we connect with God in prayer. To do this, you have to have your focus on Him, and be still before Him, not trying to get your will done, but learning what His will is and what He wants you to do. Just talk to Him! Be honest and pour out your heart and seek Him! You don't need the gift of tongues to communicate with God. He already knows all of your feelings and your thoughts, and your needs before you speak them. Believe this in your heart and pray in faith and trust, and you will be praying in the Spirit, tongues or not.

JohnB445 said:

I want to have a close relationship with the Lord.

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Try following Romans 12 verses 1+2.

At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. (Revelation 4:2, 1984 NIV)

As @Emli said, praying in the Spirit is not necessarily speaking in tongues. People who are praying in tongues are sometimes not praying in the Spirit. Praying in the Spirit is praying when your spirit is in agreement with the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:16, 1984 NIV)

IMO, it is not something you can choose to do apart from the Holy Spirit. However, you can do things like be 100% focused on the Lord himself (who is present with you), pray in unity with the Truth (such as through recalling a verse in Scripture—memorized verses are sometimes good for this), and regularly pray for long periods of time.

Plead the Blood Jesus shed on the cross at Calvary ... then state "this is all of my righteousness".

What happens next is called the unction (the moment the Holy Spirit comes upon you)

1. the manifestation of spiritual or religious inspiration.

You will giggle and wonder if it is real and of course only the Lord can tell what you are saying (same with an interpreter), but you get the Lord's attention when you plead the Blood of Jesus and sincerely believe that this is all of your righteousness.

JohnB445 said:

... Or not everyone will be able to speak in tongues?

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I failed to address your whole post in my previous post.

God does not grant everyone who is saved to be able to pray in tongues, which is one form of worship, and hopefully it is obvious that he doesn't grant the gift of tongues to everyone just like he doesn't grant the gift of being an apostle to everyone (1 Corinthians 12:29-30). You can ask and keep asking God for it, but there are plenty of other important facets of your relationship to give attention to, as well.

Anyone that can put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) can pray in the Spirit (v. 18). IMO, this is available to all those who are saved, and it is edifying.

JohnB445 said:

I don't just want to pray to the Lord in times in need, I want to have a close relationship with the Lord. I see a huge difference in prayer now that I do it more often compared to the first time I started praying.

I asked for the Holy Spirit to speak to him, and I noticed a much greater influence of the spirit over the flesh. I almost uttered something but I didn't happen.

Will this be possible over time? Or not everyone will be able to speak in tongues?

Click to expand...

You can speak in tongues... and in fact you already have. Jesus said that this sign follows you... and He did not lie about it.
You DO speak with new tongues.
Every groan, sigh, and moan from your inner man is speaking in tongues. Every tear that flows due to a move in your spirit is a tongue. Every cry of joy, every vocalized note of rejoicing. This is all tongues. If there is a movement that you cannot express with articulate languages you can sound it forth as a tongue.
As I said.. you have done this many times. What you have to do now is learn to do it "on purpose with purpose."
Simply locate those inner movements in your spirit man. Some you will be able to articulate with words.. some not. Simple put sound to those that you cannot articulate with words. Does not matter what the sounds are. Nobody, including you, will understand them anyway. If it is nothing more than a groan or a sigh... sound it. God knows what you are saying.
The true power in the prayer language does not exist in your or you abilities. They exist in God and His ability to look into your spirit and see the meaning behind what you are sounding.