Praying In Tongues

Religion column written by Dr. Bob Allen:

Tongues the most valuable gift of all.

Can everyone speak in tongues? Probably not, I would say 90 % of the body that prays in tongues cannot minister this speaking gift. It would be about the same percentage that can minister the gift of healing, or prophecy or any of the other nine gifts. The speaking gift is for the church and should operate in every church.

Any person that rejects this gift would be challenging the Master himself.
Mark 16:15-17 “And Jesus said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

16” He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

17 “And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.”

This gift of speaking and praying in tongues comes with the baptism or the immersion of the Holy Spirit when He comes upon you, and only Jesus can baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 3:16 ”John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” Jesus is our Holy Spirit baptizer.

Can all pray in tongues? Yes; even though you can’t speak forth with the ministry gift. Paul said different gifts of tongues, so we can all pray after receiving the gift.

Can you interpret your own prayer tongue? If you do not operate in the gift of interpretation like giving a message, you cannot. That is why Paul said to pray in the Spirit and pray for the understanding also. The tongues spoken by your own spirit does not get interpreted, Tongues spoken while moved upon by the Holy Spirit must be interpreted. The person that prays in tongues will, however, have a higher realm of revelation, and he will hear from God more clearly when he follows up by praying with the prayer of understanding. Remember now; different tongues come with this gift. If you operate in the speaking gift, you can interpret at the will of God, and only when it comes from the Holy Spirit, and not just your own spirit language. Tongues moved upon you by the Holy Ghost should always be interpreted. You can always ask the Lord for the interpretation. Remember the gift of interpretation is to help the whole body hear from God.

In 1 Cor., Paul said praying in tongues edifies you. This builds your spirit up and fills it up. Who doesn’t need that!

Paul said in 1 Cor. 14:14-15, “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays but my understanding is unfruitful; what is it then? I will do both; 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.” Please notice this is two different things. You can even learn to sing to the Lord in your spirit. Question: Should it be for everybody? Yes, we are to pray and sing with our spirit and with understanding, both ways. God is not a respecter of persons. God is a Spirit, and it is your spirit coming directly together with His Spirit when you pray in tongues; Paul said you are speaking mysteries unto God.

Jude, verse: 20.”But you beloved [that’s everyone] build up yourself in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.” Praying in the Holy Ghost is praying in tongues. If all could not do this, we would not be told to do so. Paul said when I pray in tongues my spirit prays.

Tongues are the road that takes you to the place to get your most Holy faith. No wonder Paul said, “I thank my God that I speak in tongues more than you all.”

1Cor.14:2, ”For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God: for no man understands him; howbeit in the spirit, he speaks mysteries.” When you are speaking to God in your prayer tongue, it is just a mystery between you and the Lord. Nothing else can be said. It gives you a hot line directly to your heavenly Father. “How sweet it is.”

Let me remind you that God is a spirit. You’re born again spirit just talks directly with him in tongues. When you pray in the spirit through our precious Savior, Jesus, it’s quite natural. Spirit talks to Spirit.

When you pray in tongues, it takes you into a whole new revelation and understanding of God. You could be a Bible Scholar and study the word until you know every color in Joseph’s coat, but when you begin to pray in tongues you access a whole new realm of understanding. You completely bypass the mind realm. There is no way to doubt. Your prayers are pure and holy and not always about you, or your needs. The Holy Spirit uses your spirit and not your mind to pray.

Dr. Bob Allen