PRAYING IN TONGUES:
I Corinthians 14:13-17 NKJV
[13] Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. [14] For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. [15] 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. [16] Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? [17] For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
It is very clear from reading the Scriptures that speaking in tongues is edifying. The one who speaks in tongues is speaking mysteries to God and edifies himself, Paul says (1 Corinthians 14:4), and when interpreted, the whole assembly is edified.
When we give thanks in tongues, we give thanks well (1 Corinthians 14:17). When we pray in tongues, our spirits are praying (1 Corinthians 14:14), helping us to pray more accurately (Romans 8:26-27) and being filled with power (Acts 1:8 & Jude 20).
Therefore, Paul makes his decision, he would pray in the spirit as well as with the understanding, he will also sing with the spirit, and he would also sing with the understanding! We are used to praying and singing with our understanding but now, we must learn to pray and sing in the spirit also.
Do you pray in tongues often? You are robbing yourself of the opportunity to be spiritually edified! Should we all pray together in tongues when we are praying in church? Do we want to pray more accurately when we pray as a church? Do we want to be edified together as a church?
1 Corinthians 14:39-40 NLT
[39] So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. [40] But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.