What is Spirit Empowered Prayer?

James W. Goll:

"What is Spirit Empowered Prayer?"

Intro

This week I thought I would share a "teaching" that is based from my new book Prayer Storm with this accompanying study guide. I want to encourage us to engage in Spirit Led and Spirit Empowered Prayer. Therefore I have chosen to bring a portion of that material. Enter into thanksgiving and then practice "praying in the spirit." It is such an honor and blessing to pray with the Holy Spirit's help. I want to focus on praying in the spirit and seeing whatever He places in your heart to pray - then pray it!

We encourage you to make plans now to join us in Nashville on January 15–17, 2009 for our annual Secret Place Gathering (see details below in itinerary).

Thanks Once Again for Standing With Us!

James W. Goll

What is Spirit Empowered Prayer?

A. Letting the Holy Spirit Lead

1. Romans 8:14 states, "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God."

2. Just like in a great waltz or dance, you want another to take the lead and gently nudge you in the direction you are to go. Follow the lead of the Holy Spirit and He will guide you into a power prayer that is strong and effective.

B. Letting the Holy Spirit Empower

In Spirit empowered prayer, as it was on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the Holy Spirit will light upon you and give you power that you previously did not know. When you add the Holy Spirit's power to the force of prayer, it is like getting a booster to your missile or rocket. A burst of energy that is not your own will come upon you or even through you, and your prayers will hit the target!

There are various forms of Spirit Led and Spirit Empowered Prayer. Let's take a look at a few of them.

Praying in the Gifts of Tongues

A. Praying in the Spirit through the Gift of Tongues

While there can be many expressions of Spirit empowered praying, praying with the gift of tongues is one of the foremost ways. The following are some key points concerning this type of prophetic intercession.

1. Praying in the Spirit is your spirit communicating directly with God. It is primarily for use in your devotional prayer life for intercession, praise, and worship.

a. 1 Corinthians 14:2 - "For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries."

b. 1 Corinthians 14:28b - "...let him speak to himself and to God."

2. Praying in the Spirit is a Perfect Prayer

a. Romans 8:26 - "And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."

b. 1 Corinthians 14:14 - "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful."

c. Since you do not always know how or what to pray in a given situation, you can bring the need before the Lord by praying in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit, your Helper, enables you to pray as you ought thereby praying in the Lord's will.

d. Praying in the Spirit is a means by which the Holy Spirit intercedes through your spirit. This is where we get the term "prayer language."

3. Praying in the Spirit has Definite Meaning

a. Although you do not understand what you are praying, God does. He who inspired it also comprehends it.

b. 1 Corinthians 14:10 - "There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning."

4. Praying in the Spirit Edifies the Person Praying

a. As you use this prayer language consistently, you become built up, strengthened, and encouraged. You then have the refreshing ability to continue on in your intercessory warfare task.

b. 1 Corinthians 14:4a - "One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself..."

c. Jude 1:20 - "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit."

5. Praying in the Spirit has the Authority of Heaven Behind It

a. There is no way you could know in the natural when satan and his demonic forces will launch an attack. But the Holy Spirit will prompt you at the strategic, opportune time and keep you on the alert.

b. James 5:16b - "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."

c. 1 Corinthians 14:15 - "What is the outcome, then? I shall pray with the spirit and I shall pray with the mind also; I shall sing with the spirit and I shall sing with the mind also."

d. Like Paul, you can pray in the spirit and praise and worship Jesus. As you do this, you regain territory from the demonic kingdom in the lives of those for whom you are praying.

e. This perfect prayer and praise weapon is powerful and always on target. Praise and prayer in tongues is God's secret anti-ballistic missile!

B. Diversities of Tongues

1. 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-7, 27-28:

"Concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant."

"Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God, which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal

"Now ye are the Body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."

2. There are Different Types of Tongues

There is more than one kind of tongue. In 1 Corinthians 12:28 (above), the word translated "diversities" is the Greek word genos, which means "kin" or "offspring." It is a term that is used to refer to a collection of different things belonging to the same group or family. In other words, diversities of tongues are heavenly utterances that are all different from each other, yet all are related to one another by the same Spirit.

3. Examples of Diversities of Tongues

a. Tongues at the filling of the Holy Spirit - Acts 2:1-4; 10:44-46; Mark 16:17.

b. Tongues for interpretation - 1 Corinthians 12:7-10; Isaiah 28:11.

c. Tongues of edification - Jude 1:20; 1 Corinthians 14:4.

d. Tongues as a sign to the unbeliever - 1 Corinthians 14:22.

e. Tongues of intercession - Romans 8:26. The word groanings in this verse can be translated "inarticulate speech." It refers to speech that does not originate in the intellect or with the understanding. It is speech that is not related to race of nationality. Inarticulate speech includes, but is not limited to "other tongues."

f. Tongues of Warfare

There is a place where the Holy Spirit goes on the offensive. He battles through us. Sometimes there is a coupling together of the gift of faith with tongues. A rising within occurs and a push or urge to launch out against the demonic forces happens. Sometimes it is the wedding between discerning of spirits and tongues. You combat or attack the dark force, commanding it to flee.

In these situations, you are operating in a "militant tongue" or "warring with the gift of tongues." When you pray in this type of tongue, you are attacking the powers of darkness. You are taking authority over the power of satan. You are rebuking the enemy and rejecting his plans for your life by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within you. This is the tongue of intercession engaged in warfare. Deliverance, healing, and liberty can come through the power of warring in the gift of tongues.

Being Tenacious!

A. Never Give Up!

Never Give Up! Passionately pursue God and tenaciously pursue your enemy until you prevail! Love never quits and as intercessors we are called to prevailing prayer motivated by the love of God – not just sporadic praying! Be constant in your prayers. Never Give Up!

B. The Watchmen's Anointing

In Spirit empowered prayer, an anointing of a watchman can be granted to you. You are watching to see in the Spirit what the enemy is doing and what the Holy Spirit desires to do. You take the keys of the Kingdom and bind up darkness and may see the opposite spirit of the Lord's presence. Watch! Be alert! Be vigilant! Be on your guard!

C. The Words of Jesus' Word from Matthew 11:12

"The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force."

Such will be the Holy Spirit empowered intercessors in a last generation! Will you be among them? Will you volunteer freely?

Let's Pray: Father, I want to make a difference! I want to take the Kingdom by force. Teach me Spirit empowered and Spirit led prayer. Anoint me with a prayer power that goes beyond my natural mind. Take me further than I have ever been before, for Your Kingdom's sake. In Jesus name, Amen and Amen!

James W. Goll

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