Romans 8:26-27

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. ²⁷And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

1.What is praying in tongues?

It’s speaking to God in an unknown language, one that we don’t understand, and one that we have never learned.

1 Corinthians 14:2. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.

It was a gift given to the church.  Acts 1:4 ……. "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

Acts 2:1-13
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ²Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^] as the Spirit enabled them.

We are living in the last days, when God is pouring out His Spirit.

Joel 2:28-32. “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people, your sons and your daughters………”

            Praying in tongues is a Spiritual gift, given by the Holy Spirit.

 2.Is it for me?        Is it for today?

In Acts 2:39.  “Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off---for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

If the Lord has called us. Then the promise of the Holy Spirit is for us too! Including the gifts!     

3. How is the gift of tongues to be used?

Is it for private use? Is it to be spoken out loud in a church meeting? Does it always need an interpretation?

1 Corinthians 12:1.  Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant….

1 Corinthians 14:2. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.

Paul says that speaking in tongues ( private or publicly) is in the form of prayer,

rather than exhortation. It’s talking to God, not to man.

Verse.6. “If I come to you and speak in a tongue, what good will it be if you don’t understand me?”

Now he is talking about public speaking in church,……….

Verse 13.

¹³For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. ¹⁴For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. ¹⁵So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. ¹⁶If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? ¹⁷You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified. ¹⁸I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. ¹⁹But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Tongues in church is fairly limited, but in private, unlimited!

Prayer…. Thanksgiving…. Singing……. Praise…….. and worship.

4.What are the benefits of praying in tongues?

It’s another weapon on our belt. It is our direct link to God. Sometimes we run out of words in our prayer time. Or when we don’t know what to pray in a certain situation.

The Spirit knows and helps us in our weakness.

Romans 8:26-27 ²⁶In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. ²⁷And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

It’s a valuable tool for intercession.

It also builds us up.

Jude 20.But you dear friends, build yourself up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

1 Cor 14:4. “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.”

5. Do all believers have to pray in tongues?

1 Cor 12:7-11  ⁷Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ⁸To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, ⁹to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ¹⁰to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^] and to still another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

We can be filled with the Holy Spirit and not speak in tongues.

& Verse 29.  ⁹Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues?

If we don’t want to, we never will. God will not force His gifts upon us.

1 Cor 14:5  I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,

Are all speaking in tongues? No, but he wishes they were!!!!

6. If I pray in tongues. How do I know that the words I’m saying are from God and not the devil?                   

Because we have a loving Heavenly Father, and if we ask Him for something that’s in His will for us to have, -He will give it to us!!!

Luke 11:11-13

¹¹"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹²Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

7.How do I pray in tongues? 

Romans 8:26-27

²⁶In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. ²⁷And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

The Spirit helps ‘with’ us is the literal translation.

The Holy Spirit is always working with us, it a two-way co-operation.

It is a yielding of our spirit with His Spirit.

We’ve actually got to open our mouths and start speaking. And we’re going to have to accept into our mouth the Holy Spirit’s     “groanings which cannot be uttered.”

He gives the utterance, but we have to let what comes — Have voice.

It’s a powerful weapon to pray in tongues.   

The Bible says, “ask and you will receive…….”

Prayer: 

Father in the Name of Jesus, I ask you now to fill me with your Holy Spirit. As a believer I fully receive all that you have for me, and I ask now to receive the gift of speaking in tongues.

According to your Word, cause the signs that accompany believers (Mark 16:17) to accompany me. Amen.