Praying in tongues in private

[Ave Maria]

Hi everyone. Can a Charismatic Catholic pray in tongues in private or is this something more meant to be done during group prayer meetings such as at a Charismatic Mass?

 

[hawko]

There has been times when I have prayed in tongues in private. On most of these occasions, it was when I was praying over someone for a specific healing, and the prayer tongues just flowed automatically. So, my answer to you is yes; I don't see why you could not pray in private in prayer tongues.

 

[Lino]

The Bible says praying in tounges are something that should be done in private, because it's not something that you should glout about.

 

[hawko]

The Bible says praying in tounges are something that should be done in private, because it's not something that you should glout about.

The Bible also says that the gifts should be used for the building up of the church. If one is speaking in tongues, then there should also be another person present who has the gift of interpretation of tongues. Otherwise, no one will understand the message.

So, the gift of tongues can be used either in private or in public.

 

[Ave Maria]

Thanks Hawko. I personally believe that one can pray in tongues in public too if the occasion is right. For example, in a charismatic prayer group or at a charismatic mass.

 

[Lino]

The Bible also says that the gifts should be used for the building up of the church. If one is speaking in tongues, then there should also be another person present who has the gift of interpretation of tongues. Otherwise, no one will understand the message.

Yes, but there's a big difference in "building up the church" and gloating about it. I belonged to a different church as a child, and "praying" in tounges was something they almost made a show of, and you weren't good enough if you couldn't do it. The resault was many people pretending to pray in tounges because they would feel excluded if they didn't. I doubt God likes that.

In my view, praying in tounges in your own church, is doing it in private.

 

[hawko]

Yes, but there's a big difference in "building up the church" and gloating about it. I belonged to a different church as a child, and "praying" in tounges was something they almost made a show of, and you weren't good enough if you couldn't do it. The resault was many people pretending to pray in tounges because they would feel excluded if they didn't. I doubt God likes that.

In my view, praying in tounges in your own church, is doing it in private.

If your church "gloats" about praying in tongues, I would not attend that church.

 

[Lino]

Therefore, I'm attending a different church now.

 

[jsou10]

I believe something that is overlooked is this...People think that there is only 1 gift of speaking in tongues (meaning when talking on the subject of tongues, most people refer to 1 Cor 11 (chapter on 9 spiritual gifts or abilities given by the Holy Spirit). But there are actually 2 different types of praying or speaking in tongues. 1 Cor chapter 11 is dealing with a gift of speaking in tongues and a gift of interpretation of tongues, and these gifts are given ONLY as the Spirit wills. Not everyone has these gifts. I believe every believer CAN by faith choose to step into a realm and relationship with God where we are all able to be used in these ways.

But now take a look at Mark 16:15-18 - Jesus says, "...And these signs shall follow them that believe; ...they shall speak with new tongues..."

So Jesus is saying that there will be certain signs (not gifts) that will accompany the believer. I believe that if you are a believer, speaking in tongues is something that God wants to bless you with. This is different than the GIFT of speaking in divers tongues. Also, note Romans 8:26 and Jude 20-21. In Jude, it says to build yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the HOly Spirit. We know that 'praying in the Spirit' is refferred to as praying in tongues, because Paul said in Corinthians, "I pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also:" - 1 Cor 14:15.

So now back to my main point. God would not only give SOME believers an ability to edify themselves in the HOly Spirit. He gives that gift to all who will believe and receive it. But the gift of speaking in divers tongues (1 Cor 11) is only given to some. So this 'speaking in tongues' is a prayer language that is willing to give to every believer in order to communicate with God and to edify and build themselves up. I believe that you can pray in tongues when you are with other believers. Obviously we should be led by the integrity of the Word of God and the leading of the Spirit, but let's remember, that where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.

So to answer the thread, you can pray in tongues (and you should) in private. Just like you received the gift of speaking...you can open your mouth and talk or pray in english anytime you want, right??? It's the same with praying in tongues, you can openyour moutha nd pray in toungues anytime you want (obviously following the Spirit's leading if in public).

Praise God!!! Love you with all tender of affections of Father!