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Romans 8:26-27

"Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

After reading this scripture in Romans, we find out that we don't know how to pray, but with our daily life...life is going to make you pray!

We find out in today's scripture in Romans that when you pray in the Spirit, you pray the Perfect Will of God.  You will see results in those prayers that have been prayed.  When you pray in the Spirit, you feel God's presence.  When you pray in the Spirit, God hears the prayers.

Let's take a look at Jude 1:20.

"But you, Beloved, building up yourselves on your most Holy Faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,"

We've got to know what it means to pray in the Spirit.  God has given us the prayer language, then we need to put it to use in our prayer life.  It doesn't take "a bolt of lightning", just get in God's presence.  God knows exactly what we need and that's why it's important to pray in the Spirit.  We need to pray more and worry less!

Finally, let's take a look at 1 Corinthians 14:1-40.  Along with the scripture, there have been added notes in italics from the Jimmy Swaggart Expositor's Study Bible.  Let's take a look...

1. "Follow after Love (let Love be the motivating factor in everything), and desire spiritual Gifts (means to covet, but in the right way), but rather that you may Prophesy. (This does not mean that "Prophecy" is the greatest Gift of all, but rather that it is the greater of the two vocal Gifts of utterance in Tongues and Prophecy.)
2. For he who speaks in an unknown Tongue speaks not to men, but to God (this is speaking in "Tongues" as one of the nine Gifts, and not the prayer language that every Believer receives on being Baptised with the Spirit; as is obvious here, when one speaks in Tongues, whether in his prayer language or as a Gift, he is speaking directly to God): for no man understands him (unless it is interpreted); howbeit in the Spirit he speaks mysteries (that which pertains to God and is a mystery to all, unless revealed by the Holy Spirit).
3. But he who Prophesies (speaks of the sixth Gift of the Spirit [1 Cor. 12:8-10]) speaks to men (the opposite of Tongues, which speaks to God) to Edification (builds up), and Exhortation (to implore), and Comfort (consolation).
4. He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself (whether the Gift of Tongues or one's prayer language); but he who Prophesies edifies the Church (is meant for the Edification of the entirety of the Body, not just for the speaker).
5. This verse helps to show the difference between praying in your prayer closet and praying at church...I would that you all spoke with Tongues (refers here in this instance to one's prayer language), but rather that you Prophesied (now reverts to this particular Gift of the Spirit): for greater is he who Prophesies than he who speaks with Tongues, except he Interpret, that the Church may receive Edifying. (This is obvious because Prophecy is given in the language of the people, and is, thereby, understood by all.  Tongues cannot be understood unless Interpreted.  Once again, we are speaking here of Church Services, and not one's private devotion.)
6. Now, Brethren, if I come to you speaking with Tongues, what will I profit you (does not refer to the "Gift of Tongues" as one of the nine Gifts of the Spirit, which is meant to be interpreted, but rather Believers praising and worshipping the Lord in Tongues out loud during the Service), except I will speak to you either by Revelation, or by Knowledge, or by Prophesying, or by Doctrine? (These things reveal Truth to the people, whereas one worshipping the Lord aloud in Tongues, not meant to be interpreted, edifies no one but the speaker.  Paul is not demeaning Tongues, but only insisting that they be used in the right way.)
7. And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or harped? (Unless a melody is followed, it is just noise!)
8. For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself in the battle? (Paul is not denigrating the trumpet, but only stating that it be used properly.)
9. So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how will it be known what is spoken? (This refers to Believers in the Church blurting out in Tongues and quite often creating confusion.  No one knows what is being said.  So, even though the person speaking may be blessed, no one else is.) for you will speak into the air (of no significance, at lease at that time).
10. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world (speaks of the many and varied languages which make up the entirety of mankind), and none of them is without signification.  (The language, whatever it might be, is important to the people who speak and understand it.)
11. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I will be to him who speaks a barbarian, and he who speaks will be a barbarian to me (nothing is accomplished).
12. Even so you, forasmuch as you are zealous of Spiritual Gifts (Paul is not criticizing their desire for such, inasmuch as he has already told them to "desire Spiritual Gifts"), seek that you may excel to the Edifying of the Church (presents the real foundation of all that is being said).
13. Wherefore let him who speaks in an unknown Tongue (the eighth Gift of the Spirit) pray that he may Interpret (also have the particular Gift, which is the ninth Gift).
14. Think about this question while reading this next verse.  What happens when we pray in an unknown Tongue? For if I pray in an unknown Tongue, my spirit prays (speaks of the prayer language, not the Gift of the Spirit, and states that it comes from one's spirit and not one's mind), but my understanding is unfruitful (signifying that it doesn't come from the mind).
15. What is it then? (This is meant to put the proper face on that which Paul has been saying.) I will pray with the spirit (pray in Tongues from my spirit, which speaks of one's prayer language), and I will pray with the understanding also (pray in my regular language, which for me is English): I will sing with the spirit (sing from my spirit in other Tongues), and I will sing with the understanding also (sing to the Lord in English; Paul is speaking here of one's own private devotions, and not regular Church Services).
16. Else when you will bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the room of the unlearned say Amen at the giving of thanks, seeing he understands not what you say? (This refers to blessing someone or saying grace at meals.  If one does so in Tongues, the others there, not knowing what is being said, can hardly be blessed.)
17. For you verily give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18. I thank my God, I speak with Tongues more than you all (as is obvious here, the Apostle is not denigrating Tongues, but rather regulating Tongues, and by the Spirit of God):
19. Yet in the Church (when it's time to give instruction) I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also (which is the purpose of the assembly), than ten thousand words in an unknown Tongue (which the people cannot understand, and thusly will not be edified).
20. Breathren, be not children in understanding (meaning that what he has said is easy to understand): howbeit in malice be you children (children do not normally wish pain on others), but in understanding be men (be adult, mature).
21. In the Law it is written (Isa. 28:11), With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people (concerns a Prophecy given by Isaiah nearly 800 years before Christ, which concerns the Baptism with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking with other Tongues); and yet for all that will they not hear Me, says the Lord (predicts that many, if not most, will refuse to heed this which is of the Lord).
22. Wherefore Tongues are for a sign, not to them who believe, but to them who believe not (a sign to the world that we are living in the last days): but Prophesying serves not for them who believe not, but for them which believe (speaks of Edification, Exhortation, and Comfort to the Church).
23. If therefore the whole Church be come together into one place, and all speak with Tongues, and there come in those who are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? (I think that would be obvious!)
24. But if all Prophesy (speaking words that can be understood by all), and there come in one who believes not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all (he can understand what is being said, whether he believes it or not):
25. And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest (he can understand what is being said, and it speaks to him personally); and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth (that is, if he heeds the Message).
26. How is it then, Brethren? when you come together (a Church Service), every one of you has a Psalm, has a Doctrine, has a Tongue, has a Revelation, has an Interpretation (speaks of very good things used in the wrong way, telling us that it is not Tongues alone which can be used in the wrong way).  Let all things be done to edifying.  (Everything done in the Church is meant to edify the entirety of the Body, irrespective what it is.)
27. If any man speak in an unknown Tongue (speaks of the Gift of the Spirit and how it is to be used in public meetings), let it be by two, or at the most by three (is not speaking of the utterances, but rather the individuals who are giving out the utterances), and that by course (simply means that these two or three should not interpret each other); and let one interpret.  (The Tongues are meant to be interpreted.  This doesn't necessarily mean that one should interpret all Messages, although they may.  But rather that only "one" should interpret at a time, which should be obvious.)
28. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the Church (what good does it do if there is no one there to interpret); and let him speak to himself, and to God (speak in Tongues to himself, which all Believers ought to do very often).
29. Let the Prophets speak two or three (speaks not only of those who have the simple Gift of Prophecy, but also of those who stand in the Office of the Prophet), and let the other judge.  (This refers to the fact that everything should be judged according to Scriptural validity.)
30. If anything be revealed to another who sits by (refers to someone who feels the Lord is giving him a Revelation which should be given to the Church), let the first hold his peace.  (Those giving Prophecies should not interpret each other.)
31. For you may all Prophesy one by one (in due order), that all may learn, and all may be comforted.  (The Holy Spirit ever has the entirety of the Body in mind.)
32. And the spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets.  (This means that if the individual claims to be compelled to blurt out at any time, such is out of order.  The Holy Spirit works with the individual's spirit, with both deciding the right time.)
33. For God is not the Author of confusion, but of peace (the Holy Spirit will never contradict Himself), as in all Churches of the Saints.  (These instructions given by Paul pertain to all Churches, and not merely the Church at Corinth.)
34. Let your women keep silence in the Churches: for it is not permitted to them to speak (is not referring to women being used by the Lord in the Gifts [Acts 2:17; 1 Cor. 11:5]; in Churches at that time, men and women did not normally sit together, but rather on opposite sides of the room; the women would call out to their husbands asking for an explanation concerning certain things, which was interrupting the Services); but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also says the Law (refers back to Gen. 3:16 and the Creation Model).
35. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home (proving what we've said in the previous Verse): for it is a shame for women to speak in the Church (to speak out in the manner Paul has just mentioned; it doesn't refer to women Teachers or Preachers, etc.; if so, it would be wrong for a woman to sing or say anything in the Church, which we know is not correct). 
36. What? (Paul is ready to end this discussion respecting order in the Church.) came the Word of God out from you? or came it to you only? (The Apostle is telling the Corinthians that thier lack of order is not of the Lord.)
37. If any man think himself to be a Prophet, or Spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the Commandments of the Lord. (If they really are Prophets, and they really are Spiritual, they will know that what the Apostle is saying is of the Lord).
38. But if any man be ignorant, let hime be ignorant.  (In other words, if they will not accept what Paul is saying, there is no way they will ever learn the Truth.  They will remain ignorant, and could lose their souls.)
39. Wherefore, Breathren, covet to Prophesy (desire the Gift of Prophecy), and forbid not to speak with Tongues.  (This proclaims the fact that all the instructions he has given are not meant to disallow Tongues, but rather to put them in their rightful order.  So where does that put the so-called religious leaders who ignore this particular statement, which is actually a "Commandment of the Lord"?)
40. Let all things be done decently and in order.  (This is the purpose for all the instructions included in this Chapter.)

Don't be afraid to use your prayer language! Don't let your unlearning of the Scriptures stop you! It's time to start praying! Things you battle and face day-after-day, start praying in the Spirit and see the Supernatural at work!

If you have any questions, or want someone to pray with you, please call: 931-216-4106.