Praying in Ourselves vs. Praying in the Holy Spirit

 

Praying in Ourselves vs. Praying in the Holy Spirit

Luke 18:11 “I thank you, God, that I am not like any other…”

Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Jude 20 “Pray in the Holy Spirit.”

Ephesians 6:18 “Pray in the Spirit at all times.”

Romans 8:26 “The Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” 

Item	Praying in Ourselves	Praying in the Holy Spirit
Meaning	Prayer initiated by natural thought, emotion, and self-will	Prayer initiated by the Holy Spirit in the mingled spirit
Source	Human need, feeling, anxiety, desire	God’s burden, moving, and will
Illustration	One-way speaking to God	Two-way divine-human fellowship
Explanation	Man speaking to God from himself	God praying in man, man echoing God
Effect	Temporary comfort, limited spiritual impact	Touching the throne, releasing God’s authority
Purpose	Asking God to fulfill our will	Cooperating with God to fulfill His will
Nature	Single-layer person	Double-layer person
Center	Self-centered	God-centered
Result	Frustration or uncertainty	Faith, authority, peace, fulfillment
Spiritual Value	Beginning stage of prayer	Mature reality of prayer
Related Scriptures	Jude 20           Pray in the Holy Spirit Ephesians 6:18          Pray in spirit Romans 8:26              Spirit intercedes James 5:17    Elijah’s prayer Luke 22:42     Yielding to God’s will John 15:7       Abiding prayer

 

*Spiritual Inward Relationship (Core Revelation)

True prayer is not merely man speaking to God.

It is: God praying within man, and man expressing what God initiates.

Jude 20 says: “Praying in the Holy Spirit.”

This reveals: Prayer does not originate from us.

It originates from God’s Spirit moving within us.

Then:

• God burdens
• Man responds
• God speaks through man

This is the double-layer prayer.

Outwardly: you pray
Inwardly: Christ prays

*Deeper Contrast (Spiritual Levels)

Level	In Ourselves	In the Holy Spirit
Origin	Soul / self	Mingled spirit
Operation	Thought first	Spirit first
Formation	Human arrangement	Divine inspiration
Power	Human zeal	Resurrection life
Authority	Limited	Heavenly authority
Position	Asking from distance	Co-working in union
Outcome	Personal consolation	Kingdom advancement

*Biblical Examples

1. Elijah (James 5:17) “He prayed earnestly.”

Literal meaning: He prayed with prayer.

This means: He prayed with the prayer already initiated within him by God.

Result: Three and a half years without rain.

This is: God issuing His decree through man.

2. The Pharisee (Luke 18:11)

He prayed from self-righteousness.

Though words were spoken to God, they originated from self.

God rejected it.

3. The Lord Jesus in Gethsemane (Luke 22:42)

“Not My will, but Yours be done.”

The highest prayer:

The self fully yielded to God.

4. Hannah

Initially prayed from personal pain.

Eventually touched God’s need.

Her prayer became cooperation with God’s economy.

*Practical Application Today

1. Stop natural prayer first

Do not rush into speaking.

Pause before God.

2. Turn inward to your spirit

Ask: “Lord, what do You want to pray in me?”

3. Follow the inner anointing

Pray according to inward sense.

4. Learn to cooperate

Sometimes prayer is:

• Groaning
• Silence
• Deep inward burden

This is often the Spirit’s intercession. (Romans 8:26)

*Prophesying Guidance (Practical Route)

Step 1 Call on the Lord “Lord Jesus…”

Step 2 Quiet the soul

Step 3 Receive the burden

Step 4 Utter what is within

Step 5 Let the flow continue

*One Prophesying Summary

Praying in ourselves seeks God for our purpose; praying in the Holy Spirit allows God to express His purpose through us.

*Ultimate Conclusion

The greatness of prayer is not in:  how intensely we speak

but in: how much God is speaking through us.

The highest prayer is not: “Lord, hear me.”

It is: “Lord, pray through me.”

*One-Sentence Comparison

In Ourselves	In the Holy Spirit
I speak to God	God speaks through me
My burden	His burden
Self-initiation	Spirit-initiation
Religious action	Divine-human cooperation

 

*Final Word

Real prayer is not man trying to move God; it is God moving man to express Himself.

 

*Please refer to the 2026 Spring International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training, General Theme: The Ministry of the Word and the Dispensing of God for His Economy, Week 1: "Firm and Continuous Prayer, and Fulfilling the Ministry of the Word"

Praying for Ourselves vs Praying for God

 

Praying for Ourselves vs Praying for God

Matthew 26:39 Then he went a little further and fell face down to the ground. He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup be taken from me; yet not as I will, but as you will.”

John 4:34 Jesus said to him, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his works.”

John 5:30 “I can do nothing of my own accord. As I hear, so I judge. And my judgment is just, for I do not seek my own will, but the will of him who sent me.”

John 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.” 

Item	Praying for Ourselves	Praying for God
Meaning	Prayer centered on personal needs and benefits	Prayer centered on God's will and interests
Source	Natural life, self-preservation	Union with God, spiritual burden
Focus	My needs, my situation	God's testimony, kingdom, purpose
Motive	Personal comfort and relief	God's glory and rights
Nature	Asking God to help me	Cooperating with God
Effect	Anxiety, pleading, instability	Rest, faith, boldness
Goal	Solve personal problems	Fulfill divine purpose
Spiritual Level	Elementary prayer	Mature prayer
Result	Temporary supply	Eternal spiritual gain
Key Difference	God serves man's need	Man serves God's purpose
Related Scriptures	Daniel 9:19    For Your own sake Matthew 6:9-10       Your name, Your kingdom Exodus 32:11-13       Moses for God's glory Luke 22:42     Your will be done John 12:28     Father, glorify Your name James 4:3       Asking amiss

 

*Spiritual Inner Relationship (Core Revelation)

Level	Description	Center
First	Asking blessings from God	Self
Second	Interceding for others	People
Third	Praying for God's interests	God

The highest prayer is not: “Lord, solve my problem.”

But: “Lord, gain what You desire through this matter.”

*Deep Contrast

Self-Centered Prayer	God-Centered Prayer
“Lord, help me because I suffer.”	“Lord, act for Your name’s sake.”
Seeks personal escape	Seeks divine accomplishment
Driven by emotion	Governed by revelation
Temporary perspective	Eternal perspective

*Biblical Examples

Person	For Self	For God
Jacob	Asked for protection (Genesis 28:20)	—
Hannah	Initially for a child	Offered Samuel to God
Moses	—	For God's name (Exodus 32:11-13)
Daniel	—	“For Your own sake” (Daniel 9:19)
Jesus	“Let this cup pass”	“Not My will, but Yours”

*Practical Application Today

Situation	Self-Prayer	God-Prayer
Work	“Give me promotion”	“Advance Your testimony through my work”
Health	“Heal me so I won't suffer”	“Be glorified through my body”
Family	“Bless my family”	“Make this family a vessel for You”
Church	“Revive the church for my enjoyment”	“Recover Your testimony”

*Speaking Guidance (Practical Path)

Step	Practice
1	Ask: “Who is this prayer for?”
2	Turn “for me” into “for You”
3	Stand on God's side
4	Pray boldly, not pitifully

 

*One Prophetic Declaration

The highest prayer is not bringing man's need to heaven, but bringing God's interest to earth.

*Ultimate Conclusion

Prayer reaches maturity when the throne is no longer occupied by “self,” but by God.

True spiritual prayer says:

“Lord, not for me, but for Yourself.”

 

*Please refer to the 2026 Spring International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training, General Theme: The Ministry of the Word and the Dispensing of God for His Economy, Week 1: "Firm and Continuous Prayer, and Fulfilling the Ministry of the Word"