Praying in the Spirit

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1 Pet. 4:7 “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”

The word “pray” in this verse is “praying in the Spirit” (Eph. 6:18). One can only pray in the Spirit if He is indwelt by the Spirit of God. Praying in the Spirit means praying in accordance to the leading of the Spirit. The opposite of praying in the Spirit would be ‘fleshly’ prayers which is praying for the desires of the flesh. The ultimate goal is to make us “happy.” These type of selfish, Father-Christmas type prayers are not honored by God for they are based on our own motives and pleasures (James 4:3).

According to H.A.Ironside:

“No unconverted person can pray in the Spirit, but there are even Christians who are in such a low carnal condition of soul that it is impossible for them to pray in the Spirit. I cannot pray in the Spirit if I am harboring a grudge against my brother. I cannot pray in the Spirit if there is anyone I will not forgive because of some real or imagined wrong done to me. I cannot pray in the Spirit if I have a selfish motive, or if I am seeking merely my own glory or comfort. I cannot pray in the Spirit if I have a covetous heart.”