Podcast Summary: Praying In The Spirit | LIVE w/Nancy Dufresne

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Host: Nancy Dufresne
Date: July 24, 2021

Episode Overview

In this live message, Pastor Nancy Dufresne teaches on the biblical practice and transformative power of praying in the Spirit—specifically, praying in other tongues. Drawing on Romans 8:26–28, she underscores how this spiritual discipline unlocks divine guidance, ensures alignment with God's will, and brings practical aid in life’s decisions. Through personal testimony and lessons from mentors such as Kenneth E. Hagin, Nancy encourages listeners to make praying in the Spirit a regular, intentional part of their Christian walk.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Romans 8:26–28 – The Foundation of Praying in the Spirit

• Scriptural Focus: Romans 8:26–28 (00:09)

  • The "infirmity" mentioned is not physical but a "prayer infirmity"—not knowing specifically what to pray for.
  • The Holy Spirit aids believers by interceding “with groanings which cannot be uttered” (other tongues).

• Insight:

  • "We pray to the Father in the name of Jesus, that's how we pray. But to know what we pray for, sometimes we're at a loss..." (00:27)
  • Praying in the Spirit is utterance inspired directly by the Holy Spirit and always in line with God’s plan.

• Connection of Verses:

  • Verse 28’s promise (“all things work together for good”) is tied to those who have fulfilled verses 26–27—praying in the Spirit, not automatism.

2. Partnering with God: Co-laboring in His Plan

• Cooperation Required:
  • Outcomes in God’s plan aren't automatic; believers must cooperate with faith and prayer. (02:06)
  • "We have to cooperate with God and we're called co laborers with God." (02:11)

3. Personal Testimony: Praying in the Spirit Unlocks God’s Plan

• Nancy’s Experience:
  • Out of the will of God in a wrong relationship, Nancy spent three weeks praying in tongues exclusively.
  • Outcomes: Met her husband, married him five weeks later. (03:10)
  • "I was out of the will of God... until I took time to pray in the Spirit. And then the plan of God began to unfold in my life." (03:20)

4. Corporate and Family Application

• Family Guidance:
  • Her son’s right marriage, credited both to parents and son investing time praying in the Spirit. (04:25)

5. Praying in the Spirit for Others: Testimonies

• Helping Others:
  • Praying in tongues for a church member with a terminal condition revealed (in a vision) why healing was hindered.
  • "God was showing me that power was flowing to their body... but they had clogged it up." (06:45)
  • Some situations can’t be changed because the issue is on the other party’s end, but prayer still brings clarity and peace. (07:05)

6. Counsel: Praying Before Major Life Decisions

• Areas for Application:
  • Starting a business, moving, church changes, marriage—don’t act without praying in the Spirit for divine direction. (08:15)
  • "Don't just assume, oh, I know what I'm to do. Because sometimes people have just come up with a good idea... and they're calling that the leading of the Spirit." (08:51)

7. Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit

• Developing Spiritual Sensitivity:
  • Regularly praying in tongues heightens ability to hear and discern the Spirit’s leading. (09:40)
  • "You become sensitive to what the Spirit of God is saying to your own Spirit." (09:51)

8. Privilege and Priority of Speaking in Tongues

• Direct Communication with God:
  • "He that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto man, but unto God... he speaketh mysteries. What a divine privilege to take time to speak directly to God." (10:18)
• Regret Over Neglect:
  • Nancy laments that even Spirit-filled believers often neglect this vital discipline. (11:30)
  • "Probably praying in other tongues is the most neglected privilege in the body of Christ."

9. Example of Kenneth E. Hagin

• Lifestyle of Praying in the Spirit:

  • Dad Hagin’s ministry breakthrough attributed to years of praying in tongues.
  • "The only thing I know to tell you is that it's through praying in the Spirit..." (12:27)

• Anecdote:

  • Even in daily activity, Hagin would quietly pray in the Spirit, making it his lifestyle. (13:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Not Knowing What to Pray:
  • "It's not a physical infirmity, it's a prayer infirmity." (00:38)
• On Divine Partnership:
  • "We have to cooperate with God and we're called co laborers with God." (02:11)
• On Destiny and Prayer:
  • "I was out of the will of God... until I took time to pray in the Spirit." (03:20)
• On Praying in Difficult Cases:
  • "God was showing me that power was flowing to their body... but they had clogged it up. They had hindered the power of God." (06:45)
• On the Privilege of Tongues:
  • "He that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto man, but unto God... he speaketh mysteries." (10:18)
• On Lifestyle Application:
  • "Anytime we were around dad Hagin, if he wasn't speaking to someone... you could see his mouth moving ever so slightly. He was taking time to pray in the Spirit." (13:48)
• On Neglect of the Gift:
  • "Probably praying in other tongues is the most neglected privilege in the body of Christ." (11:30)

Key Timestamps

• 00:09 – Introduction; Romans 8:26–28 explained
• 02:06 – Co-laboring with God in prayer and faith
• 03:10 – Nancy’s testimony: Breakthrough through praying in tongues
• 04:25 – Praying for family; right marriages
• 06:30 – Testimony: Praying in the Spirit for a sick church member
• 08:15 – Counsel: Pray before making major decisions
• 09:40 – Spiritual sensitivity through praying in tongues
• 10:18 – Privilege of direct communication with God in tongues
• 11:30 – Warning: Neglecting the privilege of tongues
• 12:27 – Kenneth Hagin’s experience and advice
• 13:44 – Making praying in the Spirit a lifestyle

Summary & Takeaways

Pastor Nancy Dufresne emphasizes that praying in the Spirit is a scriptural, powerful means for believers to access God’s wisdom, discern His will, and see His plans unfold in their lives. Through personal stories, scriptural insights, and wisdom from trusted leaders, she encourages listeners to make praying in tongues a daily priority—not just for themselves, but in interceding for others and making life’s big decisions. The practice is not only a privilege but a critical, often neglected, key to the abundant Christian life.