Skip to content

Flesh vs Spirit

Pray in the flesh

Most people only pray in the flesh, which based on what can be seen, heard or feel. They are the things on the surface, not the real cause and motive in the heart or soul, neither can man see the future. It is only reactive rather than proactive or prophetic. For example, we ask for healing when sick, or seek protection when persecuted. many prayers are not answered in this way, they may not be the will of God. As it is written (1Jn 5:14); And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: That’s why prayer meetings are not widely attended, for people may not be convinced with the result.

Jesus’ teaching on prayer was easily missed by those walk in the flesh, that’s in (Mat 6:11); “Give us this day our daily bread.” It’s not the bread for stomach at all. Because it is written in , that we should not been thinking about what shall we eat. Also in chapter 4 Jesus said; “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” The bread we ought to pray everyday is God’s righteousness, the spiritual food for our soul, many of them are inside the book of Psalms. The bread for stomach shall be added if we seek the spiritual bread.

The way of pray in the flesh is always pray only after something happened. It is like when someone got cancer and then started to pray for healing, or when war started then pray for peace.

Pray in the Spirit

Suppose we have the opportunity to invite the Holy Spirit sitting side by side, leading us to pray. Line by line we repeat what He speaks. And that is exactly the book of Psalms can do. Take Psalm 3 for example;

  1. Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
  2. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
  3. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
  4. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
  5. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
  6. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

This is the first lesson the Spirit teaching protection from those against us. Verse 2 “which say of my soul” indicates it’s in the spiritual realm, for human being can say to me (flesh and blood), but not to my soul. This is a spiritual war training we have to learn. When verse 3 to 6 preach to man’s spirit, it will increase his faith and courage. We should speak to our soul with these words all the time, to prepare for battles. Although it looks simple but that’s the wisdom from God, much higher than man’s. There must be many things beyond our knowledge, only when we get to heaven will know the true meaning. King David practiced and he got the protection. What else do we need?

In . Paul and Silas was put in prison, after they prayed all doors were opened. But what did they pray so that a great earthquake happen? Not sure if they asked the Lord to save them and open the door. But surely they always pray many Psalms, long before put in prison. Just as Paul wrote himself in (), Therefore they could have prayed a few Psalms like 16 and 17. verse 6 and 8 says; “I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. …… Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,” They don’t have to ask for an earthquake. It is likely when they prayed according to God’s will, something like verse 13 ; “Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, bow him down; deliver my soul from the wicked by Your sword,“(MKJV), then our heavenly Father sent an earthquake. Pay attention to the terms used, they are not referring to anything on earth. Just as ) we are not fighting human beings. We need to think about a few questions;
1) Why do we always pray after something happen?
2) They experienced a great earthquake, is it because Paul always practice the will of God (wrote by himself in ), Pray without ceasing?
3) Should we learn something here, the enemies are in the spiritual realm!

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” “(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
; And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed
… be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (ESV)
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.