by Gloria Copeland
Every believer experiences moments when he or she simply doesn’t know what to pray. Even if you believe wholeheartedly that you do know what to pray, what if you get it wrong? The good news is that you don’t have to worry, because God has given every born-again believer a gift to help them pray the perfect will of God every time! It’s the gift of praying in the spirit, or speaking in tongues.
Praying in the spirit is a gift that every believer should desire. However, if you are a new Christian or new to the Spirit-led life, you may not understand why it’s so important or how to go about doing it.
Why Pray in Tongues
First, it’s important to understand why it’s so important. Romans 8:26-27 explains:
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
First Corinthians 14:2 goes on to say:
For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious.
Does this mean you should forego praying in your natural language? No; the Apostle Paul addressed this when he encouraged the believers in Corinth to pray both ways—with understanding (natural language) and in tongues (spiritual language) (verse 15). It’s the perfect combination!
How to Pray in Tongues
Once you understand why praying in tongues is important, it’s time to understand how to do it. First, understand that receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues doesn’t require a big, formal ritual. You also don’t have to beg for this gift to be given to you. If you are a born-again believer, you simply have to ask.
Luke 11:9-10 says, “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues only requires a desire and a willingness. It begins with a prayer.
Heavenly Father, thank You for all that You have done in my life. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for me. I have accepted Him as my personal Lord and Savior. I thank You for Your Word and I trust that You will provide everything that Your Word promises.
Right now, Father, I ask for Your Holy Spirit to fill me to overflowing. I want every good thing that You have promised, and that includes the ability to speak in tongues.
Your Word says that if I ask, I will receive the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, and that’s what I want. This is a good thing, and I know that You want to give Your children every good thing.
I trust You, I praise You, and I fully expect to receive my spiritual prayer language. Amen.
Now begin praising the Lord. Open your mouth right now and begin praising and worshiping Him. You may even want to sing praises. As phrases and sounds begin to come to your mind, speak them out. Don’t hesitate. This is the beginning of your prayer language.
Once you receive the gift of tongues, commit to using it daily. Allow the Holy Spirit to encourage you and pray through you. It’s the beginning of a new and deeper phase of your Christian walk. Enjoy it!
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