The essence of the New Testament and our Christian life is the two spirits—God’s Spirit and our human spirit, mingled together as one spirit (1 Cor. 6:17; cf. Lev. 2:4). Although we have entered into this mingling by virtue of our divine birth (John 3:6), we need our union with the Lord to be strengthened by means of prayer. Thus, prayer is a critical component of the Christian life, and all believers need to pray in order to strengthen their union with the Lord.
In Ephesians 6:18, the apostle Paul uses the term “all prayer” and charges the believers to pray “at every time in spirit”. “All prayer” indicates that there are many kinds of prayer, including prayers of fellowship, petition, thanksgiving, and intercession. In our daily life with the Lord, we need all kinds of prayer, and we need to pray at every time in our regenerated human spirit. When we pray in such a spirit, the mingled spirit, our prayers are also “in the Holy Spirit.” For this reason, Jude 20 says, “You, beloved, building up yourselves upon your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” The key therefore to prayer is the Spirit with our spirit (Rom. 8:16), and the foremost matter in regard to prayer is that we contact the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:17). Genuine prayer originates with the Spirit of God and comes out through our spirit. Thus, we should be encouraged by the fact that genuine prayer hinges not on our utterance or eloquence but on being one spirit with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17).
One of the most basic forms of prayer is the prayer of fellowship, which keeps us in union with the Lord. This kind of prayer can be likened to breathing. Just as the physical body needs to receive a constant supply of air in order to maintain its existence, so also our spiritual life needs a constant supply of the heavenly air. The Greek word for “Spirit” can also be translated as “air” or “breath.” Therefore, we can say that the Spirit of the Lord is heavenly air to us, and the easiest way to breathe Him in is to call upon His name (Rom. 10:12; Lam. 3:55-56). This sort of prayer, the prayer of fellowship, supplies us and keeps us fresh with the Lord. Throughout the day, we can talk to the Lord, having fellowship with Him about all the details of our life. We can also thank Him, which is one secret to persevering in prayer (Col. 4:2). By praying in the regenerated human spirit mingled with the divine Spirit, we will be “filled in spirit” in order to “walk by the Spirit” and “live Christ” (Eph. 5:18; Gal. 5:16; Phil. 1:21).
Further Reading:
Witness Lee, Life Lessons, Volume 1, Lesson 4 (Print).
Witness Lee, How to Enjoy God and How to Practice the Enjoyment of God, Chapter 20 (Nook, Kindle, iBooks, Print).
(Most references in the Further Reading can also be viewed on www.ministrybooks.org.)
“…utter to God what you sense in your spirit at the time.”
“It is wonderful that we are often able to comprehend the feeling in our spirit when we pray.”
Prayer is spiritual breathing. Our physical breathing supplies oxygen to all the cells of our body. Spiritual breathing supplies the Spirit of God to our spirit, soul, and body! Whenever you take a deep breath, oxygen flows in and permeates the lungs, eventually reaching from head to toe. Likewise, during prayer, the Spirit permeates the heart and nourishes your entire being. Every Christian should practice spiritual breathing. “By praying in the regenerated human spirit mingled with the divine Spirit, we will be ‘filled in spirit’ in order to ‘walk by the Spirit’ and ‘live Christ’”.
Praying into God! Amen, sister Zoe, praying deeply, even praying ourselves into God!!!