What does the term praying in the Spirit mean?


Let's examine the verse of Scripture to which you refer from two different translations.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
(Eph. 6:18 NIV)

With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones.
(Eph. 6:18 The Catholic Study Bible)

Both of these translations are saying the same thing. We are told to pray in the Spirit at every opportunity.

Notice how the Bible says the same thing in another section of Scripture. "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 1:20 KJV).

Once again, we are told to pray in the Spirit. We are built up by this type of prayer. If you are asking, "What does this mean or how do we pray in the Spirit?" I believe your answer can be found in the following two verses of Scripture:

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries...or if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
(1 Cor. 14:2,14 KJV)

Verse two reveals that praying or speaking in tongues is synonymous with praying or speaking in the spirit. Notice how the Bible says, "howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."

This indicates that praying in the spirit and praying in tongues are the same thing. Verse fourteen also reveals that praying in tongues is when our spirits pray and not our minds. When we're told to pray in the Spirit, we're being told to pray in tongues!

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