The Two Languages of Prayer

I Corinthians 14:14-15, "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also."

In these two verses the apostle Paul mention two prayer languages: one praying in the spirit and the other praying with the mind. When we look at this chapter as a whole, Paul is addressing a problem in the Corinthian church which is the missuse of the gift of tongues. His emphasis in this chapter is the importance of understanding what one is saying in the church. Therefore, when one gives a message in tongues their needs to be an interpretation to be understood.

Praying here in the Spirit means praying in tongues or in a language that the Holy Spirit has given you which you never learned or understand. When you pray in tongues the Spirit of God is giving you the words to say, and they do not come from the mouth. The opposite to praying in the Spirit is praying with your mind which will be in a language that you have already learned.

Praying in the Spirit can mean something other than praying in tongues. It can speak of communicating directly to God through the Holy Spirit.

We find this in Ephesians 6:18. "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view,be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,"

Praying in the Spirit could be with words or without words, but the important thing and distinctive thing is the Holy Spirit is talking directly to God through you. Often a believer who is seeking God whole heartedly and runs out of words, his spirit will groan in him and speak directly to the Father. Yet, this must be cultivated through a life of prayer.

Why is important that we don't always pray using our words or mind?
Our minds are imperfect and can be a hinderance to effective prayer.
When we pray in the Spirit, we pray exactly what the Father wants to hear because the Holy Spirit knows the mind of Christ fully. We pray according to the will of God. As result,We pray with greater authority. (see John 16:13)
Secondly it builds our faith. (see Jude 1:20; Romans 8:26,27)
Lastly it edifies us. (see I Corinthians 14:2,4)

If you are not yet baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues,ask God right now to pour out His Spirit and power on you.