“…for he that speaks in an unknown tongue, speaks not unto men, but unto God.” 1 Corinthians 14:2

Speaking in tongues in prayer or worship allows us to speak to God. That is a powerful statement. What could we possibly say that would interest the Creator of the universe? Our mind could have nothing to do with the conversation. When we pray with tongues, our understanding is unfruitful. In other words, the words come directly from our recreated human spirit to God. Our words are empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are on a conversation level with God Himself.

When I was a little child, my mother couldn’t wait for me to speak. She wanted to find out what was inside my head. At the proper age, I began to put sentences together and she found out what I had been thinking. My vocabulary consisted of cookies, Kool-Aid, Mickey Mouse, and toys. My mother told me she wanted adult conversation so badly she would often go to the neighbor’s house just to talk on an adult level. My mother was very happy to see my father come home from work and would talk and talk to him, seeking adult conversation. She was glad when I was old enough to carry on an adult conversation.

What about God? I am sure He is happy when we approach His throne to ask for the meeting of our needs. He is also pleased when we come into His presence with praise and worship. But when all of our prayers and praise are in English, He must think they sound a lot like cookies, Kool-Aid, Mickey Mouse, and toys. He must breathe a sigh of relief when we are filled with the Holy Spirit and begin to speak with tongues. Suddenly we can speak to God on His level. He must say, “Ahh, some adult conversation.”

In our natural language, we can give thanks. But in tongues, we give thanks well. When we pray in our natural language, we make our requests known. But when we pray in tongues, we speak to God. God prefers we commune with Him instead of addressing Him. God desires to be our friend. Friends fellowship with each other. Friends are on the same level of communion and relationship. Praying and speaking with tongues is a great advance in our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

How long has it been since you spent time worshipping and praising God in other tongues? Isaiah 28:11,12 tells us that speaking with tongues brings spiritual rest and refreshment. 1 Corinthians 14:7 says that when we speak with tongues we not only give thanks, but we give thanks well. Ephesians 5:18,19 tells us when we are filled with the Spirit and speak, we produce heavenly music in our hearts to God; psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Praying in tongues also makes us sensitive to the will of God and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps it is time to spend more time with the Lord fellowshipping with Him through the divine prayer, praise, and worship language. If Paul could say “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all” (1 Corinthians 14:18), then maybe it is time for us to join him.

Bob Yandian

Copyright 2009 by Bob Yandian Ministries.
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