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"