BENEFITS OF PRAYING IN TONGUES

[Andrew]

Just thot it be good to list down some of the many benefits of praying in tongues constantly. Those who pray in tongues a lot too -- feel free to add to the list of benefits. Support with scripture if possible.

1. Praying in tongues builds up [charges up] your spirit man. eg to be physically fit, we work out at the gym. But to be spiritually strong in our spirit, we exercise and build up by praying in tongues.

1 Co 14:4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself...
Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

2. Praying in the spirit is the 'oil' that smoothens the machinery of marriage.

Eph 5:
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord...
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

the verse that comes b4 22,25 is:
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

3. Praying in your known language like English is very limited. You could be praying selfish prayers, praying not according to the will or God, or praying with a lot of doubt. Also, you would not know all the facts, the spirits involved or the future. But the Holy Spirit knows! So, when the Holy Spirit prays through you, you cannot pray amiss!

Ro 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

 

[sandman]

1. To speak the wonderful works of God



Acts 2:11

Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.



2. To magnify God



Acts10:46

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.



3. To give thanks well



I Corinthians 14:17

For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified



4. To bring a message from God {when interpreted} I Corinthians 14:5, 27, 28;

5:… except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.



27: If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

28: if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.









5. Sign to the unbelievers I Corinthians 14:22, Mark 16:17;



I Corinthians:

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.



Mark:

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;


noted above
6. To edify you, build you up. I Corinthians 14:4, Jude 20;



I Corinthians:

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.





Jude:

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost



7. To speak to God mysteries {divine secrets}



I Corinthians 14:2

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.





noted above

8. Makes intercession for us



Romans 8:26&7

26: Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27: And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God



Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;


_______________________________________________________________
God Bless
sandman

 

[Lee]

Thanks for the message, guys.

 

[He put me back together]

These are both nice posts, but I have a question for you, which I'm sure you are certain would have come up at some point:
Are you referring to speaking in unknown tongues as the Spirit gives you utterance, or are you talking about making up a "prayer language" and "speaking in tongues" whenever you feel like it?

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

These are both nice posts, but I have a question for you, which I'm sure you are certain would have come up at some point:
Are you referring to speaking in unknown tongues as the Spirit gives you utterance, or are you talking about making up a "prayer language" and "speaking in tongues" whenever you feel like it?

There is a prayer language between us and God and there is an unknown tongue that is for the building up of the body of believers. The latter is not at my will but by the will and timeing of the Holy Spirit.

A prayer language is not made up by "us". It is given by the Holy Spirit for all of the things listed above in the other posts?

The Spirit is always willing to make intercession for us, therefore, this prayer language can be used at any time in any place in any situation. . .at my will. If I choose not to use it, then I am denying myself the help that the Holy Spirit is very willing to give.

 

[Lee]

Then Quaffer, how was it like your first time speaking in tongues? Can you give your testimony about it?

 

[sandman]

These are both nice posts, but I have a question for you, which I'm sure you are certain would have come up at some point:
Are you referring to speaking in unknown tongues as the Spirit gives you utterance, or are you talking about making up a "prayer language" and "speaking in tongues" whenever you feel like it?

Sorry, I have no idea as to what you are referencing in the term “prayer language”
The tongues I speak is of the same one I spoke many years ago; not the same dialect, but of the same tongue. It is not pre-determined, or made up, it flows just like the first time.


_______________________________________________________________
God Bless
sandman

 

[sandman]

Quaffer
I respectly disagree with the underlined in your statement below

There is a prayer language between us and God and there is an unknown tongue that is for the building up of the body of believers. The latter is not at my will but by the will and timeing of the Holy Spirit.

I Corinthians 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

Everything I read concerning the operation of the manifestations of the spirit show beyond a doubt that man by the freedom of his will operates the manifestations.

I am going to copy part of some research I did on I Corinthians 12. It is lengthy so I will only go up to verse 11 on this, as it is verse 11 that should be of interest to you concerning the operation.

Note: I just found on one of my discs this part that I want to copy, which has all the underlines, bolds, and italic, already bracketed; something I posted on another forum. {saves me some time} It does however start out in verse 7 then goes to verse 1. You will see why when you read it; I am not numerically challenged.
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Regardless of what we have been taught our final authority has got to be the Word of God.
I have had many tell me that tongues is a gift, but according to the Word that is not true.

God uses words, within the Word of God to communicate to us, and it is this Word that He has magnified above all His name (Psalms 138:2)

It is words, which comprise the Bible, and the words are inseparable of God

The meaning of words that God uses, are to communicate His purpose and His will to us. Had God meant gift in verse 7 of I Cor, He would have used gift; He did not.

If you have been taught it is a gift and your waiting for God to move …….guess what He has already moved. He gave you holy spirit, now it is up to us to believe and act, and God will energize or produce the effects as verse 6 states below.
The true God does not possess, He will not force you to do anything.
Now I know this may go against many of the teachings, you as well as I have heard, but remember the Word is the final authority, not what myself, or anybody else say about the Word. That is why I strongly urge you to verify everything that I have inked.

I Corinthians 12:7

But the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal

but = sets in contrast that which precedes it … (gifts)
manifestation = no linger dealing with gifts, but now, manifestation of the spirit.
The word manifestation in the Greek is phanerôsis meaning “to be visible,” “bring to light,” “or open to sight”
A gift is not a manifestation: If I give you a gallon of paint, you have the option of putting the paint on the shelf, or opening the can and painting something,…… like a wall.
The gift is the paint, the manifestation of the paint is what will be on the wall, the operation is your act of painting.
A better understanding of verse 7 can seen by first looking at verses 1-6.

I Corinthians 12:
verse 1
Now concerning spiritual [gifts] brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

spiritual = pneumatikos = “that which belongs to, is determined by, influenced by, or proceeds from the spirit”

gifts = was added by translators, and is not in any text.- delete it !

ignorant. = agnoeô = without knowledge, not to understand or comprehend or perceive.

A literal translation could be: Now concerning matters belonging to , determined by, influenced by, or proceeding from, the spirit; brethren I would not have you to be uninformed.
Or: Now concerning spiritual matters brethren, I would not have you to be uninformed.

verse 2
Ye know that ye were Gentiles carried away unto these dumb idols even as ye were led

carried =apagô = led or conducted away
these = omit – not in text
dumb idols = voiceless images of wood or stone
led [lead] = agô = led; under direction of others

The Gentiles has worshiped dumb idols because that’s what they were taught.





verse 3
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy ghost.
wherefore = why fore
give you to understand = gnôrizô = reveal, to declare, to make known
no man = no one
speaking = laleô = to talk or to use the voice without reference to the words spoken
by = en = in
the = all critical Greek text omit both uses of the article “the”
spirit of God = pneuma Theou = the new nature in the child of God
calleth = legô = recount, or say, to lay in order
accursed = anathema = a ban or a curse, one that is intensely disliked, the denunciation of something
thatt = not in text, added by translators.
can = dunamai = is capable of, to be able, have power
say = eìpon = to declare, use in ref to “call one so and so”
that = not in text
but = ei mê = if not , or except
by = en = with, or in
holy ghost = pneuma hagion - lower case not God the giver, but the gift from God

A literal of verse 3, could be: “Because you were lead away by dumb idols in the past I want to declare unto you that no one who is speaking in tongues is denouncing or calling Jesus accursed. And no one is really capable of declaring that Jesus is lord in there life
except by way of pneuma hagion {holy spirit} which is the gift in manifestation.”

This does not mean that if you don’t speak in tongues your not born again. It is simply your proof in the sense realm that Jesus is lord in your life.



verse 4

Now there are diversities of gifts , but the same Spirit

diversity = diairesis = a compound word from dia meaning “through” and hairesis meaning “choice” or “option”

gifts = charismata = “gifts of grace” from God to man. Charisma is always used of Gods gifts, {verticially from God to man} of which there are seven. The gift of holy spirit [Acts 2:38, ] The five gift ministries [Ephesians 4: 8,11], and the gifts of healing
[ I Corinthians 12:9].
Spirit = The giver, God

A literal understanding of this would be: “Through the choice or option of God there are gifts given to man.”
Also note that every healing is a gift., Not that someone has the gift of healings.
The healings themselves are a gift, but it “gifts of healing” are still a manifestation of the spirit.

verse 5
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord

differences: same word as diversities in verse 4 diaresis which is the act of dividing through Gods choice or option.
administrations = diakonia = ministries whose service benefit others.

The ministries, gifts of God’s grace are to be of service in benefit to others

verse 6
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all

diversities = diaresis = choice or option
operations = energêma {n.}= “what is wrought,” “effects produced”
worketh = energeô {v.}= “to be in work”, “to energize or be energized”

Then comes verse seven:

But the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
Notice the words “every man” not a select few. The book of Corinthians is written to the Church of the body so the “every man” would include us who are part of the body of Christ. And concerning these matters, as in verse one, God does not want us (every man) ignorant of the things of the spirit.

Now grammatically verses 8-10 form a parenthetical phrase. They are a subordinate clause referring to the profit in the manifestations.

In going to verse 11

But all these {the manifestations} worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
The word dividing is the word diaireo which means distributing
severally is the Greek word idia from idios meaning “one’s own,” “his own”. This is the only place that the word idios has been translated severally, and it is a poor translation.

The latter part of this verse should read: …”distributing to every man his own as (he the man) wills”.
It cannot be as “God wills” or it would not only contradict grammar, but God would contradict himself in verse 7
“As he wills” has to do with a person believing, and desire to operate.
The word wills is the Greek word boulomai which means “deliberate determination”, “whether in accordance with or contrary to the original wish or impulse”.
Simply put; man determines when and which manifestation he will operate.
Keeping in mind that just because we have the ability to operate all nine manifestations of the spirit does not necessarily mean that you will do so. Also, being human we all can excel in different areas. Some may excel at “gifts of healings” but that does not mean they have the “gift if healing”, it is still a manifestation of the gift of holy spirit, the same holy spirit given to us by the Holy Spirit {God} on the day we got born again………..

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God Bless
sandman

 

[LeeS]

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Sorry Sandman,

I did not mean that we can give forth a word to the congregation as we desire. IOW, if He has nothing to say at the moment then I should not start speaking in tongues as a message to the congregation and try to make up something He is not saying.

My prayer language however, between me and God, is always available and I may pray that way at any time.

 

[Lee]

Then Quaffer, how was it like your first time speaking in tongues? Can you give your testimony about it?

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Then Quaffer, how was it like your first time speaking in tongues? Can you give your testimony about it?

Lee,

I accepted Jesus into my heart as a young child and was filled with the Spirit and spoke in tongues as a child. . .I don't remember a struggle with it nor do I remember the first time.

 

[Andrew]

Great points Sandman!

Here's another benefit of tongues: Intercession.

They say that the old-time Pentecostals knew more about this (and how to operate in this) but that it seems to have been lost in the new charismatic churches.

Nevertheless it happens like this:

Sometimes, out of the blue, let's say while you are watering the plants, the Holy Spirit puts a burden on your heart. It's like all of the sudden, you sense danger, something is just not right, you sense that perhaps someone close to you (or not) is in trouble or something bad is happening or about to happen.

What's the matter? Who is in trouble? What is the problem? When will it occur? And Where?

You don't have a clue. And if you don't know, how can you pray AS YOU OUGHT about it using your very limited (or no) understanding abt the situation, using your English words? Who are you going to pray for? What are you going to pray about? What are you going to tell or ask God when you dont even have the facts?

Praise God the Holy Spirit knows! He knows what's happening, who's in danger or what evil scheme the devil is plotting. He knows the details, the time, the place.

So what do you do? You commit the matter to God and ask the Holy Spirit to pray through you about the situation.

So you begin to pray in tongues, and you pray and pray in tongues .... and pray...(for 1/2 an hour or hours, depends) UNTIL you sense the burden lift in your heart. Until there is a 'note of victory' in your spirit. Perhaps you'll begin to sing in tongues or laugh in the spirit. Then you know you have prayed through and the battle is won. Whatever it was.

Sometimes though, God will show you (say in a vision) what/who you are praying for. But most of the time you wont be told. You just obey the prompting of the Spirit and pray! for it could be a matter or life and death!

I have heard many testimonies of such intercessory prayer where later, the persons praying and being prayed for happen to meet, compare notes (date/time/place) and find out that indeed divine intercession had taken place.

Has anyone ever experienced this? Do share!

 

[Lee]

Andrew, that is what I desire from God. I want to be fill with joy. And even in my times of sorrow, I can still be comforted by God.

Yes, I want to be able to sing and speak in tongues. For now I am still in the process of that. Like I told you before, I speak tongues only twice. I do not know how it works. I only know that I did pray in faith. And the mumbling just come out of my mouth.

 

[Andrew]

Lee,

Then all you have to do is just continue speaking and praying in tongues as often as you can. Stir up the gift, use the gift. And God will give you even more

 

[Lee]

Thank you for your encouragement, Andrew. And please if you have time, pray for me.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

The greatest event I had while praying in tongues was in 1978. I was home alone while the wife was at work. I was listening to a 2nd Chapter of Acts album (Mansion Builder) and praying in tongues. This went on for about 3 or 4 hours. Suddenly, shortly after sundown, an angel came into the room! I did not see it with my eyes but the presence was so powerful I just fell back into a chair and laid there praising God! I beleive the angel ministered to me for a few minutes and then left. It was the single most powerful presence I have ever felt!
I believe that this prolonged prayer session in tongues lead to the visitation.

 

[Lee]

didaskalos, thank you. Your testimony even give me a more desire to be able to speak in tongues daily.

Can I ask you. How is it like your first time speaking tongues?

 

[Andrew]

Lee,

May I ask why you ask everyone how it was like speaking in tongues the first time? Why is that of importance to you? (curious)

 

[Lee]

May I ask why you ask everyone how it was like speaking in tongues the first time? Why is that of importance to you? (curious)

Because I am curious about speaking in tongues. I desire to speak in tongues daily. Operate in tongues. Because I desire that my prayer life may be more powerful and more personal.