“…pray in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 1:20).
“The true spirit of prayer is no other than God’s own Spirit dwelling in the hearts of the saints. And as this spirit comes from God, so doth it naturally tend to God in holy breathings and pantings. It naturally leads to God, to converse with him by prayer.” – Jonathan Edwards
It is God’s will for every believer (including you) to be filled with the Holy Spirit. “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is…be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:17‑18). This means it is God’s will for you to be filled with the Spirit.
You can ask with complete confidence for God to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Know that it is His will for you to have the gift of the Spirit. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14‑15). You do not have to beg for the Holy Spirit, but you do need to specifically ask. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 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!”(Luke 11:9‑13). The Holy Spirit is a gentleman, he will not force Himself upon you, He will only enter your life at your invitation.
You can pray in a spiritual language. The Spirit is continually praying to God on your behalf in a special language which is only understood by God. You can pray in this new tongue by opening your mouth and allowing the Spirit to speak using your vocal cords. Jesus promised, “These signs will accompany those who believe…they will speak in new tongues” (Mark 16:17).
Isaiah prophesied this new tongue would bring refreshing to weary believers, “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear” (Isaiah 28:11‑12 – KJV). This new tongue is like a “well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).
On the day of Pentecost, one hundred and twenty disciples began to speak with other tongues when they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). Cornelius and his entire household spoke in tongues when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 10:44-48). When Paul laid his hands on the believers in Ephesus “the Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke in tongues” (Acts 19:6).
Paul was originally filled with the Spirit when Ananias laid his hands on him (Acts 9:17). Later, he wrote to the church inCorinth “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you” (1 Corinthians 14:18). Paul said that praying in the Spirit edifies (builds up) the believer (1 Corinthians 14:4). Paul specifically commanded the church in Corinth “…Do not forbid speaking in tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:39). Exercise builds your muscles, in the same way, praying in tongues builds your spirit. Jude told us, “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 1:20).
Check out Daniel King’s book: The Power of Prayer
