Tongues as Private Prayer Language

WrappedUpinHisLove3 said:

if our hearts are right with God He always likes to hear us pray. so idont think He minds either way. being slain in spirit is not biblical either but sometimes God has used it to minister to those slain. so it fine.

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Of course in the bible being slain is uncommon, yet it has occurred. Ezekiel 1:28; Daniel 8:17-18; 10:7-9; Matthew 17:6; Revelation 1:17).

Michael Collum said:

I like to think of the babble as like baby talk. (a parable from the creation as it were) There's something we're trying to say, but it comes out incomprehensible. God understands it all the same, and is with us there in it. Which is why praying to interpret what is being said, is genius.

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It isn't "us" saying it: it is the Spirit Himself saying it.

Phil W said:

It isn't "us" saying it: it is the Spirit Himself saying it.

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Yeah, I discard such semantics. I can't tell where God begins and I end or vice versa.

Michael Collum said:

Yeah, I discard such semantics. I can't tell where God begins and I end or vice versa.

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That sounds as if there is a barrier of sorts between you and God.
It is written..."For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones." (Eph 5:30)
I can't see any barriers between God and those IN Christ.

Phil W said:

That sounds as if there is a barrier of sorts between you and God.
It is written..."For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones." (Eph 5:30)
I can't see any barriers between God and those IN Christ.

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I can, but that's because I experience the unity to the point of taking pain for others.

So, part of that process, sees the unity but also the individuality of each person at the same time. Much like God is three persons yet one God. There is one church and all the people in the church are one, they are still individuals.

I find this understanding crucial to differ from New Age spirituality that makes everyone - one, yet with no identity at all.

Michael Collum said:

I can, but that's because I experience the unity to the point of taking pain for others.

So, part of that process, sees the unity but also the individuality of each person at the same time. Much like God is three persons yet one God. There is one church and all the people in the church are one, they are still individuals.

I find this understanding crucial to differ from New Age spirituality that makes everyone - one, yet with no identity at all.

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While the gift of the Holy Ghost is speaking from you, who is doing the "speaking"?
It is His thoughts, hopes, requests, pleas, etc. emanating from you.
The only part of "you" engaged in the process is your larynx.

SPF said:

I think the point is that based upon Scripture, there's no reason to speak in tongues when no one else is around. There is no benefit if it cannot be interpreted.

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No benefit?
Why then is it written..."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." (Rom 8:26)
The benefit is that the Spirit Itself intercedes for us in matters we are not even aware of.
To me, that's a huge benefit.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:14 - "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful"
He goes on to say in verse 22 - So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe.

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If there was no reason to speak in tongues, why does Paul pray in tongues?

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words...

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You answered my above question for a reason to speak in tongues yourself with scripture.
The Spirit helps our weakness and intercedes on our behalf.
Thanks be to God for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Have you read..."Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues." (1 Cor 14:39) ?

Virtually every commentator on Romans 8:26 agrees that the Spirit's intercession is a direct inaudible communication between the Spirit and the Father, transforming the frustrated prayers of believers. Quite a few have specifically commented on the idea that it is tongues:

Romans - Thomas R. Schreiner (Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.)

Despite the appeal of seeing a reference to glossolalia, there are decisive reasons for rejecting this interpretation. The term ἀλαλήτοις could mean that which cannot be uttered in words, but it much more likely means "without speech," the absence of any vocalization at all. This seems to be the most natural way of translating a word that negates a word for speech. (2) The word στεναγμοῖς is not necessarily meant literally; that is, the groaning may not be audible. That groaning may be metaphorical is evident from the reference to the groaning of creation in verse 22. Indeed, the groaning in verse 26 must be metaphorical in some sense because the text says that it is the "Spirit" who groans. Nowhere else in the Bible does the Holy Spirit audibly groan, and thus a literal meaning here is not likely, One might reply that the Holy Spirit's groaning is expressed through the groaning of believers (cf. Rom. 8:15-16; 1 Cor. 14:14-15). This is probably the case, but even in that case the groaning is not necessarily audible. The point could be that believers have longings that are so deep that they are inexpressible. (3) The most serious objection to a reference to tongues speaking is that Rom. 8:26-27 refers to all Christians, while tongues speaking is reserved to only a few." There is no evidence in verses 26–27 that any believers are excluded from the assistance of the Spirit described here. Indeed, it would destroy the entire argument of chapter 8 if any believers were outside the pale of what Paul says. Fee thinks this argument is a weak one and says that texts in 1 Cor. 12-14 resolve the difficulty. He apparently refers to the texts that say believers should earnestly desire spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:31; 14:1) and all should desire to speak in tongues (14:5). It is mystifying to me how he thinks that this solves the problem. Let us take Paul's words in 1 Cor. 14:5 at face value and assume that Paul desires all Christians to speak in tongues. Even so, Fee's argument can prevail only if all believers did in fact speak in tongues. First Corinthians 12:30 testifies that not all did so. Alternatively, Fee would have to argue that the Spirit's assistance described in Rom. 8:26-27 is available only to those with the gift of glossolalia. But we have already seen that Paul did not exclude any believers in this section, which is designed to buttress their hope.


Epistle to the Romans - Douglas J. Moo (Professor of New Testament, Wheaton College)

However, others who ascribe the groans to believers think that Paul is referring to glossolalia—the “speaking in tongues” of 1 Cor. 12–14. Like tongues, these “groans” are a “prayer language,” inspired by the Spirit, and taking the form of utterances that cannot be put in the language of earth. But this identification is unlikely. The gift of tongues is clearly restricted by Paul to some believers only (cf. 1 Cor. 12:30), but the “groans” here are means of intercession that come to the aid of all believers.

Furthermore, and to return to our original point, the word alaletois probably means "unspoken" rather than "ineffable"; and this makes it almost impossible to identify the "groans" with glossolalia; for tongues, of course, are verbalized if not understandable.


Paul's Letter to the Roman - Colin G. Kruse (Professor of New Testament, Melbourne School of Theology)

Some have suggested that Paul is referring to believers' prayers in tongues inspired by the Spirit, but this seems unlikely because: (i) the apostle is speaking of the Spirit's intercession for us, not his inspiration of prayer in tongues by us; (ii) Paul says that the Spirit's intercession is through wordless groans' (lit. 'unspoken groans'), which suggests that the intercession is silent and not oral as is speaking in tongues.

While there is clearly a verbal connection between the groaning of creation, the groaning of believers, and the groaning of the Spirit, the Spirit's groaning is clearly of a different order. In the former cases groaning emanates from frustration or suffering, whereas in the case of the Spirit this is certainly not so — his groaning is associated with intercession for believers.


Romans - C. E. B. Cranfield (Professor of Theology, University of Durham)

On the other side there seems to be force in the contention that the στεναγμοῖ mentioned here are not likely to be the utterances of glossolaly, since they clearly have to do with bringing the needs and longings of Christians before God, whereas glossolaly was pre-eminently praise.' But more decisive is the argument that, coming after the words τὸ γὰρ τί προσευξώμεθα καθὸ δεῖ οὐκ οἴδαμεν (cf. ἐντυγχάνει ὑπὲρ ἁγίων in v. 27), στεναγμοῖς ἀλαλήτοις must refer to the Spirit's own στεναγμοῖ, and it is highly unlikely that Paul would think of the ecstatic utterances of certain Christians, inspired by the Spirit though these utterances might be, as being the Spirit's own στεναγμοῖ.


Romans - James Dunn (Professor of Divinity, University of Durham)

… The thought is therefore of groans not formulated in words. This means that a specific allusion to glossolalia is unlikely, since Paul evidently thought of glossolalia as spoken language, the language(s) indeed of heaven (1 Cor 12:28, 30; 13:1; 14:2, 10–11; cf. particularly T. Job 48.3, 49.2, and 50.1–2; see further Dunn, Jesus, 243-44). It is true that there is an overlap in thought of angel and spirit in Jewish thought (see above); so too sharp a line between heavenly intercession to which Paul will allude shortly in v 34) and the Spirit's intercession on earth should not be drawn. Consequently some have compared the "inarticulate groans" with the "unutterable words" (äppnta pnuata) of 2 Cor 12:4 (e.g., Wilckens). The inappropriateness of the suggested parallel lies not in the words themselves but rather in the sense they express: on the one hand, visions of heaven which leave the mind speechless and, on the other, the wordlessness of complete inability in the entanglements and frustration of all too earthly existence; the one focusing on the indescribable character of what has been seen, the other on the inability of believers in this age to put into words the reality of their own condition and relation to God…. had Paul wished his readers to think of glossolalia he would probably have written with greater care (cf., e.g., Schniewind, “Seufzen,” 82–84


Paul's Letter to the Romans - Ben Witherington (Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Asbury Theological Seminary)

Does stemagmois alaletois refer to sighs that are wordless, or beyond words, or to the inarticulate groans of the ecstatic prompted by the Spirit, or possibly even to glossolalia uttered in worship (1 Cor. 14.14)?' … Cranfield denies that glossolalia is in view here since it is private prayer and praise language while the problem here seems to be bringing the known needs of believers before God in an adequate manner. One might have expected a little more explicitness if glossolalia were in view here. And, most decisively, Paul is talking about the Spirit uttering inarticulate groans, not the believer. Thus Cranfield is probably right that what is meant are utterances or groanings that are imperceptible to the believer. The Spirit groans along with the believer, just as the believer groans as part of fallen creation.


Systematic Theology - Wayne Grudem (Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies, Phoenix Seminary)

i. Is Romans 8:26 - 27 Related to Speaking in Tongues?

Paul does not mention speaking in tongues explicitly here, and the statement is a general one concerning the life of all Christians, so it does not seem correct to say that Paul here is referring to speaking in tongues. He is referring to a more general experience that occurs in the prayer life of every Christian. … There is no explicit mention of our spirit praying (though that may indeed be true as well), nor is there mention of our mind being unfruitful or lacking understanding (though that may at times be at least partially true). Nor do these sighs or groans come forth in anything that could be called “other tongues” or “other languages.” So there are several differences, even though Romans 8:26–27 talks about intercession that we make in sounds that are not fully understood by us, and therefore it is a phenomenon that has some similarities to speaking in tongues.


Romans - Robert Mounce (president emeritus of Whitworth University)

Some who hold that στεναγμοῖς ἀλαλήτοις (“groans that words cannot express”) refers to the groaning of the believer also hold that Paul was referring to glossolalia, speaking in tongues (e.g., E. Käsemann, “The Cry for Liberty in the Worship of the Church,” in Perspectives on Paul [Philadelphia: Fortress, 1971]: 122–37), but that is highly unlikely. ἀλάλητος means “unspoken.”


Romans - Leander E. Keck (Professor of Biblical Theology Emeritus at Yale Divinity School)

Are the groans unspoken because they are unspeakable (NRSV: “too deep for words"), or because they are a form of "tongue-speaking" - uttered sounds that are not spoken words (Fee (1994, 579-85) discusses various possibilities)? Given the recent increase in "Pentecostalism,” it is understandable that much attention has been focused on these "unspoken groans"; the focus of the passage itself, however, is in verse 27, which explains why the Spirit's interceding is the effective help for believers who do not know what they ought to pray.

The explanation assumes that the Spirit resides in the self (v. 9). So God "who searches the heart knows the mindset (phronema, as in v. 6) of the Spirit” (AT), because, presumably, the Spirit resides in the heart. Moreover, the Spirit "intercedes," speaks to God on behalf of those who do not know what to pray, and does so in accord with God (kata theon), that is, in keeping with God's will. The Spirit does not need to persuade God on our behalf (as if it were a lobbyist) because the Spirit speaks in accord with God. In other words, Paul apparently says that the Spirit's intercession transforms our ignorant praying into what is in keeping with God's will. When one compares what is said here about the Spirit with 1 Cor 2:9-16, a significant difference becomes evident: Whereas in the present passage the Spirit communicates to God on our behalf, there the Spirit communicates to us, since the Spirit is the only one that knows "the things of God.” In both passages, the Spirit's role in communication overcomes human limitations, whether by revealing the otherwise unknowable things of God to us or by speaking to God on our behalf.


The Moody Bible Commentary

Groanings too deep for words is an oxymoron, but describes the Spirit's “wordless prayer groaning" on behalf of God's children. Too deep for words means "unspoken," "unspeakable," "unuttered," "unutterable," but in any case these groans are inaudible and therefore do not refer to speaking in tongues. In addition, the Spirit Himself performs this intercessory ministry, but speaking in tongues involves the participation of the believer (cf. 1 Co 14:14), and while not every believer speaks in tongues (1Co 12:30), every believer can be confident of this prayer ministry of the Spirit. If God knows every thought of every person, then He is quite capable of understanding the Spirit's prayers for His children (v. 27).

SPF said:

Oh, you're absolutely right that Romans 8:26,27 is a very great comfort of a passage in that we see how the Holy Spirit is a real person, who is intimately involved in our lives, and who even intercedes on our behalf before God the Father. Yea, that's pretty much awesome if you sit back and think about it.

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Amen to that.

But what doesn't the passage say? It doesn't say that He's doing that by making YOU speak a "private prayer language" that is non-sensible to you that you don't understand. And that's really the point.

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I'll agree that He is using my larynx to communicate with God the Father, but "making" me speak?
I encourage and rejoice in the gift of tongues.
No force is necessary.

Again, you seem to be missing the point that 8:26 explicitly says "cannot be uttered". Speaking in a non-sensical, unintelligible (to us) language is... uttering...

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As the Spirit is doing the talking, and not me, I am unable to do the communicating He wishes.
I am unable to utter His words to God.
That is why He does the "uttering".

Maketh intercession- The word used here ὑπερεντυνγχάνει huperentungchanei, occurs no where else in the New Testament. The word ἐντυνγχάνω entungchanō, however, is used several times. It means properly to be present with anyone for the purpose of aiding, as an advocate does in a court of justice; hence, to intercede for anyone, or to aid or assist in any manner. In this place it simply means that the Holy Spirit greatly assists or aids us; not by praying for us, but in our prayers and infirmities.

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I'm not going to take credit for something the Spirit of God within me is doing.
He prays on my behalf, about things I am not even aware of.

In the future, it would be helpful if you would cite the verse(s) you're referring to. I do know that Paul says in 14:9 - "So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air."

He also says in 14:13 - "Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful"

Does that sound like the teaching of a man who is encouraging people to try and speak a non-intelligible, language that they don't understand? I really wonder if people who "pray in tongues" are actually asking God to help them interpret what they just prayed.

Of course! Speaking in tongues was/is a legitimate gift of the Holy Spirit! This verse comes at the end of Paul's exposition on gifts and how to properly use them. Orderly, Paul teaches. Interpreted, Paul teaches. Tongues are a foreign language, Paul teaches.

I would suggest that based upon what Paul is teaching in the preceding passages that the vast vast majority of people who claim to be speaking/praying in tongues are certainly abusing and ignoring Paul's teachings.

I still have yet to see Paul or anyone else for that matter teaching that the rambling, unintelligible non-sense that we hear today is actually a "gift" that the Holy Spirit gives people.

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You just did, above.
If what you refer to or what you have heard in person didn't sound like it was a conversation between the Spirit and His Father, maybe it was falsely spoken by posers.
Sinners don't have gifts of the Spirit.
The next time you hear someone speaking in tongues, ask them how long ago they "ceased from sin". (1 Peter 4:1)
Paul does call it a gift,

Maybe some should explain how praying ..well for me why pray not in English but say Spanish is more helpful or fruitful? So.. to say tongues is just a known world language.. how in the world is praying in another language better? It wont throwing off the enemy.. he knows them all. Knows the ones that are long gone.

So.. God wants us to pray in an unknown language that we don't know? That the enemy knows.. hows this help us? Now.. what happen to the 120.. praise GOD.. now that was fruitful/meaningful. Paul.. I speak in tongue more then you all. NO..tongues....is that not more then one? Now.. me.. I am very careful how I speak about it.

Like others.. again bible study "want the holy Spirit?" One night I said "yes". They read only what the bible said. Asked me again do you want the holy Spirit "yes" I said. He prayed then just stopped. Said "thats it you got it". Didn't say anything else no one did. LOL no clue what was going on. Ask me hours before this about the Holy Spirit.. who? Yeah.. so I get up go sit down and BAM! Tongues just came out. For me.. the more I pray.. its wow... wow.. Him.. and gets better and better.. But.. the tongues change

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Ok.. ACTS 1:8... .who was Jesus talking to? Sinners? Well we hear from some that we already have this once born again. When did He come on you then? If you saw me the day before that happen vs the day after.. two different people. The other.. oh had something he never had. He said POWER ... thats what it is. A boldness I never had.

Anyway.. I just did what Jesus said not what any man said. I was saved.. I then just like what happen in the bible "have you received the holy Spirit since you believed?" No.. I then did what Jesus said.. I asked the Father for the Holy Spirit. This is why they just stopped. God can not lie. They knew.. if I Just asked.. I will receive the holy Spirit. And I did! Before that .. I never in my life said "sweet sweet Holy Spirit". I simple believe. I do what that word says. Doubt stops God. He won't force you and me to say think do anything.

But He is FAITH! And its FAITH that moves and pleases Him. He has to be everything. Like that battle in the OT where 20,000 men were to many. Well He said.. you would win but they wont believe I did it. So get rid of some. SOME? SOME? There was 300 left..God? OK! Now were talking.. now go fight HAHA.. THATS our GOD!

As others have already said, tongues simply mean's languages. What happened in Acts was that everyone heard everyone speaking in their own language.

For edifying purposes Paul says don't speak in different tongues (different languages) unless there was an intrepeter because how would that edify the church/teach anyone? He went on to say he would rather speak 5 words understood than many more not understood.

What happened at Pentacost in Acts will happen again when many are delivered up in the end times - as Christ teaches for a testimony and for them not to premediate what they will say because it will be the Holy Spirit that will speak through through them. And it makes sense, the testimony will be going out to the nations.

Agree with a spattering of examples here. Greetings! I no longer strive to place the ol' cut-and-dried logic over prayer of song and word, of logic and liberty, of limits and infinities, it should remain as always, wholly honorable, simply - all prayer.

SPF said:

I'm having trouble seeing how Scripture teaches the idea that there is such a thing as praying in tongues as some sort of private prayer language where Christians speak non-sensical syllables that is the result of the Holy Spirit.

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LOL. don't trouble yourself, scripture doesn't teach in praying of tongues. Stay away from people who would try to convince you otherwise. They are edifying themselves and even edifying Satan through their own intelligence. Stay well clear of it.

god bless

Blade said:

Maybe some should explain how praying ..well for me why pray not in English but say Spanish is more helpful or fruitful? So.. to say tongues is just a known world language.. how in the world is praying in another language better? It wont throwing off the enemy.. he knows them all. Knows the ones that are long gone.

So.. God wants us to pray in an unknown language that we don't know? That the enemy knows.. hows this help us? Now.. what happen to the 120.. praise GOD.. now that was fruitful/meaningful. Paul.. I speak in tongue more then you all. NO..tongues....is that not more then one? Now.. me.. I am very careful how I speak about it.

Like others.. again bible study "want the holy Spirit?" One night I said "yes". They read only what the bible said. Asked me again do you want the holy Spirit "yes" I said. He prayed then just stopped. Said "thats it you got it". Didn't say anything else no one did. LOL no clue what was going on. Ask me hours before this about the Holy Spirit.. who? Yeah.. so I get up go sit down and BAM! Tongues just came out. For me.. the more I pray.. its wow... wow.. Him.. and gets better and better.. But.. the tongues change

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Ok.. ACTS 1:8... .who was Jesus talking to? Sinners? Well we hear from some that we already have this once born again. When did He come on you then? If you saw me the day before that happen vs the day after.. two different people. The other.. oh had something he never had. He said POWER ... thats what it is. A boldness I never had.

Anyway.. I just did what Jesus said not what any man said. I was saved.. I then just like what happen in the bible "have you received the holy Spirit since you believed?" No.. I then did what Jesus said.. I asked the Father for the Holy Spirit. This is why they just stopped. God can not lie. They knew.. if I Just asked.. I will receive the holy Spirit. And I did! Before that .. I never in my life said "sweet sweet Holy Spirit". I simple believe. I do what that word says. Doubt stops God. He won't force you and me to say think do anything.

But He is FAITH! And its FAITH that moves and pleases Him. He has to be everything. Like that battle in the OT where 20,000 men were to many. Well He said.. you would win but they wont believe I did it. So get rid of some. SOME? SOME? There was 300 left..God? OK! Now were talking.. now go fight HAHA.. THATS our GOD!

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Blade said: “If you saw me the day before that happen vs the day after.. two different people. The other.. oh had something he never had. He said POWER ... thats what it is. A boldness I never had.”


What Blade posted seems to be close to how the baptism of the holy spirit (BOTHS) manifested upon christians -- after the ascension of Christ Jesus. As Blade said, the BOTHS is associated with power from on high (from God).

I Corinthians 12 –

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

10) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues…..

God gives tongues to some christians – as power from on high for prayer and/or for spreading the gospel to the world (bearing witness of Christ). Again I want to caution about the possibility of counterfeit tongues.


Blade wrote: “But He is FAITH! And its FAITH that moves and pleases Him. He has to be everything. Like that battle in the OT where 20,000 men were to many. Well He said.. you would win but they wont believe I did it. So get rid of some. SOME? SOME? There was 300 left..God? OK! Now were talking.. now go fight HAHA.. THATS our GOD!

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Actually, Gideon had 32,000 soldiers of Israel, while the Midianite army was massive like grasshoppers. Upon God’s command, Gideon reduced the army of Israel to 300 men, and basing their attack upon the power of God, they vanquished the Midianite army at night, using just trumpets and torches.

This links to a good description of how Gideon in the name of God, defeated the Midianites:


Sunday, June 21, 2020: “Gideon Defeats the Midianites” Commentary (The UGP Curriculum) – Sunday Lesson and Commentary

excerpt:

[Gideon], who once was found threshing grain in a winepress for fear of being noticed by enemy occupiers, was now boldly encouraging a token force of three hundred men to take on an army numbered well over 100,000. But true faith does not look at the supposed odds stacked against it; true faith looks at the power of God and sees everything else in that light. In the task God has called us to—that of bringing His message of salvation to all the earth and making disciples of all nations—it would be easy to look at what appears to be daunting obstacles that hinder us from making headway in our witnessing.

The world is big, and most of it is hostile toward the gospel of Jesus Christ. But if we look instead at God’s power, we can be emboldened to do our part in a task that cannot fail. [the christian gospel]

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To re-emphasize caution of counterfeits, the comic strip of Prince Valiant is currently showing rabble-rousers stirring a village to burn down a house that they think is inhabited by 2 witches. However, Sir Gawain and Prince Valiant (knights from King Arthur’s court) were nearby and scattered the villagers. This is what can happen when a Judas goat seems to be a Gideon, and the rioters are led by the Judas goat into a trap and routed. But the apostle Paul said:

Romans 8:37 “We are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

"LOL. don't trouble yourself, scripture doesn't teach in praying of tongues." ok Victor in Christ.. back up your statement please.

I don't what to really tell people that won't believe. "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful." Right now.. I can make this verse happen. I can pray in a tongue and my understanding is unfruitful. A..you can ask Him to help you understand it.

"What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding." So ask "what is praying in the spirit? How some can talk about the spirit/holy Spirit and not understand this.

Why not just do what He said? You believe John 3:16 yes? Luke 11:13. Jesus said these signs shall follow them that believe? Speak with new tongues. Yeah.. says "follow them that believe". Yeah.. GOD said that. And He the Father through Jesus.. these signs SHALL not maybe not just the 12 but them that believe. So..do you believe or not? GOD as my witness follow me. You know why right? Its all HIM! ALL those signs.. gifts.. all HIM! He does it all.. He leads. If I doubt? NOTHING happens..ever.

Thought I would share something that has nothing to do with this. Had a dream it was this big green plant.. wrapped with a weed. And He said "you have to let both grow up together". Oh like you I know when Jesus taught that but.. why this dream? No clue!

Then the other night "resurrection power". That was it. NO I don't get allot of dreams. About a year ago.. just words "you don't invoke the name of Jesus enough".

Remember how BLESSED you are. They had to see Him.. you? Look at you.. never seen Him and yet you believe! Thats FAITH! And it MOVES HIM! Your blessed.. thats NOT just something nice to say. Look more into that. You by your faith MOVED GOD! You PLEASE HIM ever moment you still believe.

SPF said:

Thanks for sharing Monardo. The problem with that verse though is there is absolutely nothing in it that would suggest that praying "in the Spirit" means praying in another language that you cannot understand.

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SO then handle: 1Co 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.

Explain to me how "Speaking to God" is not "Prayer", and why it would be a bad thing.

Also explain why "Edifying yourself" is a bad thing. DO you SERIOUSLY think that being "Edified" by the Holy Spirit won't have a positive effect on your ability to minister to others???

rationalizations noted.