Praying in the Spirit: What It Means and How to Do It

A Parable of Emmanuel’s Burden

There was once a young farmer named Emmanuel, who lived in a dry land where water was scarce. Each day, he would walk long distances carrying heavy jars to fetch water from a distant river. His strength was often drained, and though he worked hard, his fields remained small and unfruitful.

One evening, an elderly traveler stopped by Emmanuel’s home. He watched the young farmer return from his long journey, weary and discouraged. With compassion in his eyes, the old man asked, “Why do you walk so far when you have a well within your own land?”

Surprised, Emmanuel replied, “A well? I have lived here all my life, and I never saw it.”

The old man pointed to a spot near Emmanuel’s field. “Beneath this ground lies a spring. If you will dig, you will never thirst again, and your crops will flourish beyond measure.”

The young farmer hesitated but chose to believe. He dug through the hard soil day after day. Many mocked him, saying he was wasting his time. But at last, he struck water, fresh, pure, and flowing abundantly.

From that moment, Emmanuel no longer needed to travel long distances. The hidden well became his strength. His fields blossomed, and travelers came from far to drink from his overflowing supply.

The Meaning of the Parable

This story reflects what it means to pray in the Spirit. Like Emmanuel, many believers live weary and spiritually dry because they depend only on human effort, natural understanding, rehearsed prayers, and strength of the flesh. They walk “long distances” in prayer, yet their results are limited.

But within every Spirit-filled believer lies a hidden spring, the Holy Spirit. Praying in the Spirit is the act of drawing water from that deep well. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:38 NIV). That river is already inside you, but it requires faith and yielding to access it.

When we pray in the Spirit, we move from striving to flowing. Just as Emmanuel’s well gave him strength, praying in tongues empowers the believer with supernatural strength. It is no longer our words alone but the Spirit interceding through us with groans too deep for words (Romans 8:26).

Practical Lessons from the Parable

The river far away represents prayer limited to human strength and reasoning.

The hidden well represents the Spirit within every believer.

Digging the well represents faith, consistency, and yielding in prayer.

The overflowing water represents the life, revelation, and power released when praying in the Spirit.

Prophetic Declarations

I declare that the hidden well of God’s Spirit within me shall burst forth, in the name of Jesus.

I will not labor in vain; my prayers shall produce life and results, in the name of Jesus.

From today, I shift from dry prayers to rivers of living waters, in the name of Jesus.

What Does It Mean to Pray in the Spirit?

Understanding the Phrase

When Paul wrote, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18 NIV), he revealed that prayer has realms. One can pray from the flesh, relying on intellect and emotions, or pray in the Spirit, partnering with God’s Spirit.

Praying in the Spirit is not just about speaking in tongues, though that is a major expression of it. It is about yielding your words, emotions, and desires to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide the direction and depth of your prayer.

In Romans 8:26, Paul says: “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” This means the Spirit knows better than we do and helps us hit the target in prayer.

Distinction Between Praying With the Mind and Praying in the Spirit

Paul gives clarity in 1 Corinthians 14:15 (NIV): “So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding.”

Praying with the mind (understanding): Using known language to express needs and thoughts. It is logical, heartfelt, but limited.

Praying in the Spirit: Going beyond human vocabulary into Spirit-led utterances, whether through tongues or inspired words. It taps into heaven’s agenda.

This means both dimensions are valuable, but praying in the Spirit gives us access to mysteries, divine strategies, and the mind of God.

Biblical Foundations

Jude 1:20 (NIV): “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit…”

Here, praying in the Spirit is linked to strengthening your faith. Each time you yield, your spirit man grows stronger.

Acts 2:4 (NIV): “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

The early church began their journey in prayer by immediately expressing this dimension.

Isaiah 28:11–12 (NIV): “Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people…”

This prophetic scripture shows praying in the Spirit is God’s way of refreshing and empowering His people.

Why Praying in the Spirit Matters

1. It aligns you with God’s will. The Spirit prays what is on heaven’s heart.

2. It strengthens your inner man. You become spiritually fortified against weakness and doubt.

3. It unlocks mysteries. You access hidden wisdom and strategies for life and ministry.

4. It produces spiritual refreshing. The burden lifts, and joy rises as rivers of living water flow.

5. It invites angelic activity. Spirit-led prayer often releases divine interventions.

Practical Ways to Pray in the Spirit

Yield first. Begin with worship and invite the Spirit to take over.

Pray in tongues deliberately. Don’t rush; let the Spirit carry your utterances.

Pause and listen. Sometimes praying in the Spirit includes receiving impressions, visions, or words of knowledge.

Mix both. Move between understanding and Spirit prayer, like Paul instructed.

Stay consistent. Make it a daily habit, not an occasional practice.

Prophetic Declarations

I align my prayers with heaven’s agenda, in the name of Jesus.

I refuse to be limited by human understanding; I pray mysteries in the Spirit, in the name of Jesus.

My faith is built up; I rise as a giant in the Spirit through prayer, in the name of Jesus.

Rivers of living water shall continually flow from within me, in the name of Jesus.

The Power and Benefits of Praying in the Spirit

1. It Builds Spiritual Strength

When you pray in the Spirit, you strengthen your inner man beyond what natural words can achieve. Jude 1:20 (NIV) says: “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit…”

Just like an athlete trains his muscles daily, your spirit man becomes fit, strong, and resilient through Spirit-led prayer. This is why weak Christians who struggle with fear, doubt, or temptation often find renewal once they practice praying in tongues consistently.

Prophetic declaration: I am strengthened with might in my inner man through praying in the Spirit, in the name of Jesus.

2. It Unlocks Divine Mysteries

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:2 (NIV): “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.”

Praying in the Spirit is like receiving encrypted instructions from heaven. While your mind may not understand, your spirit is receiving divine codes, strategies, revelations, and solutions. Many believers have testified that answers to business problems, ministry directions, and even inventions came while they prayed in tongues for hours.

Prophetic declaration: I receive divine mysteries, strategies, and secrets from heaven as I pray in the Spirit, in the name of Jesus.

3. It Aligns You With the Perfect Will of God

Romans 8:27 (NIV) reveals: “And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

This means you never miss God’s plan when you pray in the Spirit. Instead of praying selfish or misguided prayers, the Holy Spirit ensures your prayer life is in harmony with God’s eternal purpose. Even when you don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit prays through you.

Practical example: You might want a particular job, but as you pray in tongues, the Spirit steers your prayer towards God’s better plan, one that you didn’t even see coming.

Prophetic declaration: I walk in divine alignment; my prayers are in sync with heaven’s agenda, in the name of Jesus.

4. It Releases Spiritual Refreshing and Victory

Isaiah 28:11–12 (NIV) prophesies: “Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people, to whom he said, ‘This is the resting place, let the weary rest’; and, ‘This is the place of repose’, but they would not listen.”

Praying in the Spirit brings rest, renewal, and refreshing. That’s why after long hours in tongues, believers often feel lighter, joyful, and energized. Demonic oppression is lifted, depression breaks, and faith rises. This is a secret to sustained victory in spiritual warfare.

Prophetic declaration: I enter supernatural refreshing and victory through praying in the Spirit, in the name of Jesus.

5. It Activates the Supernatural and Angelic Realm

Spirit-led prayers often trigger angelic activities. In Acts 12, while the church prayed fervently (undoubtedly in the Spirit), an angel was dispatched to release Peter from prison.

When you pray in the Spirit, unseen forces are mobilized on your behalf. Angels are sent on assignments of protection, provision, and deliverance. Heaven literally responds to Spirit-filled prayer.

Prophetic declaration: As I pray in the Spirit, angels are released on divine assignments for my sake, in the name of Jesus.

6. It Helps You Pray Without Ceasing

Paul exhorts in 1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray continually.” This is humanly impossible if prayer were limited to the understanding. But with tongues, you can pray while working, walking, or even resting, because your spirit is engaged even when your mind is busy.

This makes Spirit-led prayer a practical way to keep fellowship with God alive all day long.

Prophetic declaration: My spirit is always in communion with God; I pray without ceasing, in the name of Jesus.

How to Pray in the Spirit (Practical Steps and Lifestyle)

1. Start With a Desire and Surrender

Praying in the Spirit begins with hunger. The Holy Spirit will not force Himself upon you, He partners with willing vessels.

Luke 11:13 (NIV) says: “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Practical step: Ask God daily for grace to yield to the Spirit in prayer. Your posture of surrender invites His flow.

Prophetic declaration: Lord, I yield myself as a vessel of prayer. Flow through me by Your Spirit, in the name of Jesus.

2. Begin With Worship and Thanksgiving

Before launching into tongues, set your heart on God’s presence. Acts 13:2 (NIV) says: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said…” Worship prepares the atmosphere for Spirit-filled prayer.

Practical step: Spend 5–10 minutes worshiping God with songs or thanksgiving. As you do, the Spirit takes over your utterance.

Prophetic declaration: My heart is filled with gratitude, and my lips overflow with worship as I pray in the Spirit, in the name of Jesus.

3. Open Your Mouth and Speak by Faith

Praying in tongues requires faith. The Spirit gives utterance, but you must open your mouth. Acts 2:4 (NIV) says: “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

Don’t wait to “feel something dramatic.” Begin by yielding your tongue to the Spirit, and trust Him to give the flow.

Practical step: Start softly; let the syllables roll. As you continue, the flow deepens and strengthens.

Prophetic declaration: I receive utterance in the Holy Ghost, and I speak mysteries by the Spirit, in the name of Jesus.

4. Develop Consistency

Praying in the Spirit is not a one-time encounter but a lifestyle. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:18 (NIV): “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.”

Practical step: Set specific times daily, maybe 15 minutes in the morning, 15 at night. Gradually extend it until it becomes natural to pray for hours.

Example: Smith Wigglesworth once said he never prayed more than 30 minutes, but he also never went 30 minutes without praying. That’s the consistency that transforms a believer.

Prophetic declaration: I grow daily in the discipline of praying in the Spirit until it becomes my constant atmosphere, in the name of Jesus.

5. Combine With the Word

Praying in the Spirit without the Word is like a fire without fuel. The Spirit confirms the Word (John 14:26). When you pray in tongues while meditating on scripture, your prayers become sharper and more prophetic.

Practical step: As you read a scripture, switch into tongues, allowing the Spirit to expand its meaning in your spirit.

Prophetic declaration: The Word of God and praying in the Spirit work together in my life to produce power and revelation, in the name of Jesus.

6. Pray Long and Deep

The more time you spend, the deeper the flow. Many breakthroughs are hidden in extended praying in the Spirit. Paul often spent nights in prayer, and Jesus Himself prayed all night (Luke 6:12).

Practical step: Dedicate extended hours weekly, maybe once or twice a week. for deeper praying in tongues. This builds stamina and unlocks deeper mysteries.

Prophetic declaration: As I tarry in prayer, the heavens open, mysteries are revealed, and destinies are shifted, in the name of Jesus.

7. Engage While Doing Daily Tasks

Praying in the Spirit is not confined to a church service. You can pray while driving, cooking, or walking. This is how Paul fulfilled 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV): “Pray continually.”

Practical step: Train yourself to whisper in tongues under your breath during daily activities. This keeps your spirit tuned to heaven all day.

Prophetic declaration: My life becomes an unbroken altar of prayer; I pray without ceasing, in the name of Jesus.

Conclusion: Your Next Step

Beloved, prayer without the Spirit is effort without life. But when you learn to pray in the Spirit, you step into partnership with Heaven. Your prayers stop being mere words, they become fire, arrows, and rivers of power.

Paul’s words still echo: “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions” (Ephesians 6:18).

Today, make a decision:

Set time aside daily to pray in the Spirit.

Allow the Holy Spirit to lead, even in the simplest requests.

Record what He lays on your heart as you pray.

Your prayer life will never remain the same. You will experience joy, intimacy, and answers that are beyond your imagination.

 Final Declaration:

From today, my prayer life is quickened. I will no longer pray in dryness or struggle, but I will pray with the Spirit’s fire, and my life will change, in the name of Jesus.