Prayer-Language/Tongues

Hey guys,

I got baptized in the Holy Spirit about a year ago. I've been a Christian for almost ten years and I've done a bit of reading on tongue speech and the Holy Spirit. I've got a question, that is probably kinda dumb, I think I already know the answer. But, how do you develop your prayer language? As I said I got baptized a year ago, but it seems as though I have a very small...eh...vocabulary I guess you would call it. Anyways, just looking for some input on the matter.
Thanks

247youth said:

Hey guys,

I got baptized in the Holy Spirit about a year ago. I've been a Christian for almost ten years and I've done a bit of reading on tongue speech and the Holy Spirit. I've got a question, that is probably kinda dumb, I think I already know the answer. But, how do you develop your prayer language? As I said I got baptized a year ago, but it seems as though I have a very small...eh...vocabulary I guess you would call it. Anyways, just looking for some input on the matter.
Thanks

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Hey, I have a small vocabulary too. (what does "vocabulary" mean?.....j/k ). I pray in english, that way I know what I'm saying.

247youth said:

Hey guys,

I got baptized in the Holy Spirit about a year ago. I've been a Christian for almost ten years and I've done a bit of reading on tongue speech and the Holy Spirit. I've got a question, that is probably kinda dumb, I think I already know the answer. But, how do you develop your prayer language? As I said I got baptized a year ago, but it seems as though I have a very small...eh...vocabulary I guess you would call it. Anyways, just looking for some input on the matter.
Thanks

Click to expand...

The best way I know to increase your expression in the prayer language is to make a list of the prayer needs that are on your heart for the people you care about the most, then ask the Lord to guide your tongue so that you can pray the most effective prayers for them in the spirit, and then start praying in tongues for them. Very often, the Spirit will give you specific intercessory languages for them.

The important thing is to get your focus away from the language or words that you are speaking, and onto the need that you a praying for. Then you will find the expression will come according to the intensity of the burden you have for the person you are praying for.

I had been a Christian all my life - knew nothing about tongues - met a friend who walked the Spirit Filled life and I could see I was missing something.

I started studying about tongues and just put the book down and said - God if this is of you I want it - The Holy Spirit fell on me so strong that two foreign words formed in my mouth and I spoke them out and for 3 hours I prayed my prayer language to God and life has never been the same.

The closeness I feel now to Jesus I did not even come close to before just walking the Christian walk and not knowing how the Holy Spirit could lead us and walk with us.

Just keep seeking it and asking for it - God will give it when HE feels your heart is ready.

My prayer language was limited at first, and I know some will disagree, but like a child learns by talking and listening so I believe for some tongues will develop in much the same way, with sounds, words and speech. but like a child you have to keep talking for it to develop.

Could someone define "prayer language"?

it is truly called "speaking in tongues," i dont believe that it is once called a "prayer languege," in the bible. but um it's your on languege with god... um ya someone else might wanna help explain...
but my "vocab" is limited. i often find myself repeating those same 4 or 5 words over and over again
P.S. sorry bout my horrible explination.

I agree with what most everyone else has said. the more you exercise the "speaking in tongues", "praying in tongues", the more your 'vocabulary' will develop.

I would not focus on the actual sounds though because it doesn't matter in the least how many different sounds you make. Just one syllable in tongues could be different words in the spirit.

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.

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Also...do you realize we need to pray with our mind at the same time our spirit is praying?

14For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive [it bears no fruit and helps nobody]. 15Then 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;

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As for myself, (when I don't have specific things to pray about), I like to just start out praising God...like "Holy!...Holy!...Holy!......" and thanking Him for my blessings and for His goodness and enter into deep adoration. I notice the deeper into adoration and worship, the more the tongues flow. I try to never focus on the sounds...focus on Him.

Yekcidmij said:

Could someone define "prayer language"?

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The reason I used "prayer language" rather than speaking in tongues is that I'm referring to the speaking of tongues in my individual prayer life rather than in an open church service.
Tongues are used for two reasons A)To edify the body when accompanied with interpretation or B) To lift up a believer during their individual prayer time-in this case it doesn't need an interpretation.

247youth said:

Hey guys,

I got baptized in the Holy Spirit about a year ago. I've been a Christian for almost ten years and I've done a bit of reading on tongue speech and the Holy Spirit. I've got a question, that is probably kinda dumb, I think I already know the answer. But, how do you develop your prayer language? As I said I got baptized a year ago, but it seems as though I have a very small...eh...vocabulary I guess you would call it. Anyways, just looking for some input on the matter.
Thanks

Click to expand...

You don't develop it. It will come naturally based on your degree of spiritual growth. Tell God that you would like to pray for the sick or that you would like to love and praise him. The language will come. If you have to force it or "develop" it, it is not real, as it does not come from you.

"Prayer language" is a perfectly acceptable term. I have heard different people speaking in tongues that are familiar languages. All are the languages that Jesus spoke or speaks. Greek, Aramaic, Latin or the Heavenly language that is not normally spoken on this planet. I have been told that my prayer language is Aramaic.

The language will come. If you have to force it or "develop" it, it is not real, as it does not come from you.

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Yes but if you go around saying it doesnt come from you, some people will take it as if you have to feel like the holy spirits taking over and they will think their tongues is fake. Not all people who get baptized in the holy spirit have an emotional experience, or any sensations at all.

My experience is, I just let it flow out, don't really take notice of what if any limits to my vocabulary.

I've used the baby illustration on myself when thinking about it in the past. I don't want it to sound like I'm just seeking the tongues, because that isn't it. It's just that it's been a year and I've never moved beyond one sylable. Maybe it's selfish of me and that's why it hasn't happened, but I want to expound upon this and develop my language with God. If you feel that that is selfish of me don't hesitate to point it out and I'll definately take it under consideration.

Let me share my personal experience with you all. I was not raised in a Pentecostal church. And so when I was invited to an Assembly of God church and I heard people praying in tongues I have to say I was fearful. I really struggled with Praying in the Spirit. For the longest time I refused to believe that tongues and Praying in the Spirit were synonymous. I believed that I could Pray in the Spirit with my own language. It took me a long time to open myself up to this gift. One of the reasons for this was my intellect wanted to be in control. Exercising a gift of the Holy Spirit no matter what gift it is requires faith. At that time of my life I didn't have any. Therefore, no gift. Now if you go to Jude 20 it says "Build up your most holy faith by Praying in the Spirit." So one thing about tongues is the mind doesn't know what is being said and doesn't have control over that manifestation of the Spirit so there is a struggle. The only way to overcome this struggle is to exercise your gift. Also, it's all about the Giver not the gift. So seek Him. Develop intimacy with Him and don't worry about the words.

Let me share a testimony that happened to me. I used to belong to Love INC. I was Prayer Coordinator in my local area. And one day we were having a local community prayer meeting. This was shortly after I had met the Executive Diriector. I was asked to pray for this person and being as how I didn't know him I felt impressed to Pray in the Spirit (tongues). So I prayed about what I would call maybe two sentences in tongues. Very brief in other words. At the end of the meeting I actually apologized to the other people in the group that I had publicly done that thinking that it might have been out of order. This person who I prayed for said to me with eyes as big as saucers, "You were praying in tongues?!! I did not hear you praying in tongues." He then to proceeded to explain to me that he heard me telling him about personal things that only he would have known about and sharing Scriptures and clarifying his vision for the ministry. He told me that he heard me telling him like paragraphs worth of stuff about himself. He was wondering how I could know all that and was embarrased that the other people in the room might have heard all these things. The others in the room had no clue what I said. One lady said she didn't even hear me say anything at all. It was an amazing miracle that God did. God can use a little bit to do a lot. The main thing is obedience. Giving God complete control of whatever gift it is you have and using your gift with responsibility and humility is the key. Then you see those amazing things like that. I have found that the Holy Spirit shows up when you least expect Him to and He does what He wants and you really can't plan it. It just happens. Nothing like that has happened again in that exact way. It was just a God moment and we who were there will never forget it and were totally awestruck by it.

So I wouldn't worry too much about the syllables or whatever it is you have. Because the language is for you to express your love for the Lord and that is between you and Him.