Here is a startling revelation – we all have limitations; after all, we are just humans. We can only do so much, be in one place at one time, know and comprehend so much (or so little) … the list of our limitations could go on and on. (I know that I’ve written the following sentence over and over again in this series.) Thank God for the 60/60/24/365 Holy Spirit. When we tap into the power of praying in the Spirit and allow Him to push our prayers beyond the realm of what we know or don’t know, the limited immediately becomes unlimited. I am thankful that we can pray with our understanding about needs and circumstances and then, with the enablement of the Holy Spirit, escape our limitations and move into the boundless, unfettered realm of praying in the language of heaven. Aren’t you thankful that He is always on the job to help us in our communication with God? One more time … thank God for the Holy Spirit.
(Note: Be sure to check out this series’ first blog post to identify the translation abbreviations.)
The Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit – Our Prayer–Limit Breaker
I Corinthians 14:2
KJV – 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.
AMP – For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].
CEV – If you speak languages that others don’t know, God will understand what you are saying, though no one else will know what you mean. You will be talking about mysteries that only the Spirit understands.
MOFF – For he who speaks in a ‘tongue’ addresses God, not men; no one understands him; he is talking of divine secrets in the Spirit.
PHI – When someone speaks in tongues, no one understands a word he says, because he’s not speaking to people, but to God—he is speaking intimate mysteries in the Spirit.
I Corinthians 14:14
KJV – For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
CEV – For example, if I use an unknown language in my prayers, my spirit prays but my mind is useless.
TRANS – For if I pray in a tongue, it is my spirit which prays, but my mind is unproductive.
TPT – For if I am praying in a tongue, my spirit is engaged in prayer but I have no clear understanding of what is being said.
WUE – For if I am praying in a tongue, my spirit [the human spirit as moved by the Holy Spirit] is praying, but my intellect confers no benefits upon others.
I Corinthians 14:15
KJV – What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
AMP – Then what am I to do? I will pray with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will also pray [intelligently] with my mind and understanding; I will sing with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will sing [intelligently] with my mind and understanding also.
GNT – What should I do, then? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray also with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will sing also with my mind.
NLT – Well then, what shall I do? I will do both. I will pray in the spirit, and I will pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will sing in words I understand.
