Four Important Reasons to Pray in Tongues

Rhema TeamHoly Spirit, Prayer45 Comments

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Kenneth E. Hagin

There is more to being filled with the Holy Spirit than speaking in tongues. Since speaking in an unknown language is the initial evidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4), it is an integral part of receiving the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues is also an essential part of the believer’s devotional prayer life. The Apostle Paul said, "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all" (1 Cor. 14:18).

In writing to the Church at Corinth, Paul specifically encouraged Christians to follow the practice of speaking with tongues in their private prayer lives. He gave several reasons for it.

1. Devotional Use

There is the devotional use of tongues. First Corinthians 14:2 says, “For he who speaks in a ‘tongue’ addresses God, not man; no one understands him; he is talking of divine secrets in the Spirit” (Moffatt). Here, Paul is talking about the individual Spirit-filled believer employing the use of tongues in his prayer life. Through speaking in tongues, you can pray out the plan of God for your life by the power of the Holy Spirit.

2. Spiritual Edification

Tongues are also used as a means of spiritual edification. First Corinthians 14:4 says, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself." The word edifieth means "to build up." Verse 14 in the Amplified Bible Classic reads, "My spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive." Speaking in tongues isn't mental edification; it is spiritual edification.

3. Worshiping God

For believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit, tongues are used in their worship and devotion to God. The Bible says in Acts 10:46 concerning Cornelius and his household when they began to speak with tongues, "For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God." Speaking with tongues is a supernatural way to magnify God.

4. Doorway to the Supernatural

Speaking with tongues is the doorway into all the other spiritual gifts. Some people want to experience all the gifts of the Spirit at once, but you have to go through the door to get into the supernatural. Also, it is as the Spirit of God wills, not as we will (1 Cor. 12:11). In other words, you can’t force or “put on” a manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit.

The Bible teaches us to desire spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14:1). The Bible also teaches us to earnestly covet the best gifts (1 Cor. 12:31). But remember that those words were written to people who already spoke in tongues. They weren’t written to people who did not speak with tongues.

I have found in my own life over a period of more than 60 years that the more I speak in tongues—the more I pray and worship God in tongues—the more manifestation of the other gifts of the Spirit I have in my life too. And the less I speak in tongues, the less manifestation of the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit I have operating in my life.

God has given each of us a supernatural means of edifying ourselves, or building ourselves up, spiritually. God has given to us a supernatural means of communicating with and worshiping Him. Are you as a Spirit-filled believer taking full advantage of the gift of tongues?

Learn more about the Holy Spirit with this Study Guide!

Holy Spirit Study Guide Vol. 1

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45 Comments on “Four Important Reasons to Pray in Tongues”

  14. Reply

    One of the most important scriptural teachings. Christians should understand that no other belief has a means of getting to God through speaking in tongues. Or can they approach God anyother way except the ways of truth. God bless.

  17. Reply

    Thank you for a wonderful divine message,
    I would like to know the difference between praying in the spirit and praying in tongues.
    At my church we pray in the spirit as a whole congregation for our prayer requests. Is that permissible in Gods word ?

    Much love

  18. Reply

    Was beginning to feel speaking in tongues isn’t important but this turned things around.
    Thank you very much.

  20. Reply

    1 Cor 13: 13. there are these three things that every christian should be serious to search for.

  22. Reply

    The lord surely teaches us what is most valuable to him because I have been asking of the importance of this act and the holy spirit lead me here…thanks be to father God our saver.

  26. Reply

    Thank you so much for this clarity and teaching on tongues. I pray that GOD forgive me for not using my prayer language because I got stagnate and bring it all back to me. This was my awakening! Glory to God!

  32. Reply

    Such a very nice and helpful article.
    I find this article as one of the secrets every Christian needs to know for spiritual growth and edification. I’d like every readers to share this post in different forums and Social Media so as to reach vast number of people.
    Thanks.

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