You can always tell the power of a doctrine by the degree of controversy it creates, or how much it is attacked.  In my opinion, the two doctrines that are attacked the most in the church today are grace and speaking in tongues.  These are the two most powerful and freeing gifts that have been given to us as believers.  Coincidence?  I think not!  So, we will cover a LOT of information very briefly about the power of praying in tongues.  Look these versus up and study them further!

First off, when you pray in tongues you are literally praying with the mind of Christ.  How remarkable is this?  Imagine if you could access the mind of God, and use it to speak TRUTH into your life?  This is exactly what praying in tongues does: “For if I pray in an unkown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful” (1 Corinthians 14:14).  When you are praying in the spirit, you are praying with the Holy Spirit who knows the mind of Christ as well as the perfect will and needs of your life!

1 Corinthians 2:10-13:  The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.  For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the mans spirit within him?  In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God [who is in YOU].  We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given to us.  This is what we speak, not in words given to us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing SPIRITUAL TRUTHS in SPIRITUAL WORDS!

This my friend, is praying in the Spirit with the mind of Christ.  This is also evident in Romans 8:26:  “For we know not what to pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groaning (in Greek this means uttering love secrets, quietly and gently) which cannot be uttered.”This is powerful because when you are praying with the wisdom of God, you are intimately praying that God’s purpose and desire FLOOD your life.  You are literally speaking the promises of God, which are protection, anointing, prosperity, abundance, healing, etc., into your life.

Secondly, when you pray in tongues you are unleashing the rivers of God which has two primary functions: protection, and ministering to others:  Jhn 7:38-39 — He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (By this he spoke of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

When we think of rivers, it is different from the well that is inside you springing up waters of eternal life (John 14:14).  Rivers are public, no one owns a river.  Wells are private, meaning your private salvation that affects only you.  When you have rivers flowing out from you, you are ministering to those around you by bringing the POWER and LIFE of the Holy Spirit to THEM!  The goodness of God is contagious!!

These rivers also offer you protection.  In Ephesians 6 it speaks of the armor of God, and the shield of Faith QUENCHING the fiery arrows of Satan.  What quenches fire?  WATER!  When you pray in the Spirit, you are sending out rivers of water flowing from your inner man (spirit) that form your shield of faith protecting you from the attacks of Satan.  BOOM!

Now, in wrapping up, with regards to the healing power of praying in tongues:  Romans 8:26: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities”. 98% of the time infirmities is used in the New Testament it is refering to bodily sickness. Another example is in 1 Corinthians 14:4 — He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 

Most people think this word “edifieth” means ‘to exalt’.  It doesn’t.  This word “edifieth” means healing!  It literally means to restore, rebuild, or to repair.  When you pray in tongues, you are repairing your body and mind at the cellular level, you are experiencing the healing power of the Holy Spirit from our infirmities!

Speaking in tongues is a tool to be used for your everyday, intimate prayer life.

1 Corinthians 14:15: Paul says I WILL pray with my spirit. This is intentional, on cue, and an intimate, devotional prayer to God; 14:5—I would like EVERY ONE OF YOU to speak in tongues–meaning it is available to everyone; 14:18—I thank GOD that I speak in tongues more than all of you……But IN THE CHURCH…..This separates Pauls speaking in tongues for his everyday prayer life and when he uses the gift publicly, in church to be interpreted for the church.

That being said, some people think that tongues is only for in the church and to be interpreted. Yes, that is important and powerful, but these verses clearly show us that it is also a tool to be used as an individual, private love language with God.  This is prayer.  The more you pray in tongues, the more of God’s power will be unleashed in your life.  Try it today.  Every spare minute you have in your day whether driving or at our desk at work, or in the gym, pray in the spirit with soft utterances and groanings under your breath.  You will see and feel a difference.  🙂