Meaning of Praying in the Spirit
The Greek phrase "πνεύματι προσεύχεσθε" (praying in the Spirit) appears in Ephesians 6:18 and Jude 1:20. The term "Spirit" (πνεῦμα, pneuma) is a complex and multifaceted concept in the New Testament, encompassing various meanings, including wind, breath, and the divine presence [3].
In the context of prayer, "in the Spirit" signifies praying under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. According to Adam Clarke, "the prayer that is not sent up through the influence of the Holy Ghost is never likely to reach heaven" [4]. This understanding is echoed by John Calvin, who emphasizes that effective prayer springs from the presumption of faith and is founded on the full assurance of hope, with the Spirit aiding believers in their weakness [6].
The phrase "in the Spirit" is closely related to the idea of praying with the understanding and with the spirit, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14:15. Here, Paul distinguishes between praying with the spirit (πνεύματι, pneumatically) and praying with the understanding (νοϊ, noï, intellectually). This distinction highlights the importance of both the emotional and intellectual aspects of prayer [1].
The concept of praying "in the Spirit" is also linked to the idea of the Spirit as an earnest or pledge of the believer's inheritance, as mentioned in Ephesians 1:14 and 2 Corinthians 1:22. The Spirit's role in prayer is to guide and assist believers in their communication with God, enabling them to pray effectively and according to God's will [2].
The early Church Fathers also emphasized the significance of praying in the Spirit. Tertullian notes that true adorers will adore the Father "in spirit and truth" (John 4:23-24), highlighting the importance of spiritual worship [5].
Sources
- 1 Corinthians “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. -- 1 Corinthians 14:15”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Earnest — The Spirit is the earnest of the believer's destined inheritance (2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:14). The word thus rendered is the same as that rendered "pledge" in Gen. 38:17-20; "indeed, the Hebrew word has simply passed into the Greek and Latin languages, probably through commercial dealings with the Phoenicians, the great trading people of ancient days. Originally it meant no more than a pledge; but in common usage it came to denote that particular kind of pledge which is a part of the full price of an article paid in advance; and as it is joined with the fi”
- STEPBible TBESG “[G4151] G4151H = a Meaning of (G4151G) — <b>πνεῦμα</b>, -τος, τό, <BR /> [in LXX chiefly and very frequently for רוּחַ ;] <BR /> __1. <b>of air in motion</b>; <BR />__(a) <b>wind</b>: <ref='Jhn.3.8'>Jhn.3:8;</ref> pl., <ref='Heb.1.7'>Heb.1:7</ref> (LXX); <BR /> __(b) <b>breath</b>: π. ζωῆς, <ref='Rev.11.11'>Rev.11:11;</ref> π. τοῦ στόματος, figuratively, <ref='2Th.2.8'>2Th.2:8</ref> (cf. Ps 32 (33)6). <BR /> __2. Of the vital principle, <b>the spirit</b> (Arist., Polyb., al.): <ref='Luk.8.55'>Luk.8:55</ref>, <ref='Jhn.19.30'>Jhn.19:30</ref>, <ref='Act.7.59'>Act.7:59</ref>, al.; opposite to σάρ”
- Jude (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Jude 1:20: Building up yourselves - Having the most holy faith - the Gospel of our Lord Jesus, and the writings of his apostles, for your foundation; founding all your expectations on these, and seeking from the Christ who is their sum and substance; all the grace and glory ye need. Praying in the Holy Ghost - Holding fast the Divine influence which ye have received, and under that influence making prayer and supplication to God. The prayer that is not sent up through the influence of the Holy Ghost is never likely to reach heaven.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. XXVIII.--OF THE SPIRITUAL VICTIM,: WHICH PRAYER IS. For this is the spiritual victim[12] which has abolished the pristine sacrifices. "To what purpose," saith He, "(bring ye) me the multitude of your sacrifices? I am full of holocausts of rams, and I desire not the fat of rams, and the blood of bulls and of goats. For who hath required these from your hands?"[13] What, then, God has required the Gospel teaches. "An hour will come," saith He, "when the true adorers shall adore the Father in spirit and truth. For God is a Spirit, and accordingly requires His adorers”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: what we ask, a confidence which the Lord commands, and all the saints teach by their example, we must therefore hold fast with both hands, if we would pray to any advantage. The only prayer acceptable to God is that which springs (if I may so express it) from this presumption of faith, and is founded on the full assurance of hope. He might have been contented to use the simple name of faith, but he adds not only confidence, but liberty or boldness, that by this mark he might distinguish us from unbelievers, who indeed like us pray ”