As much as I hate to pull your attention away from my last hysterical post (hee hee), I just received this email from [email protected]. You can visit James Goll’s web site by clicking HERE. I thought this was an interesting article on praying in tongues and wanted to share it with you.

I know I have many readers who don’t pray in tongues, but for those who have wondered about this or needed the scripture references, I thought I’d share.

Have a great Wednesday!

Praying… IN THE GIFT OF TONGUES

by James W. Goll

While there can be many expressions of Spirit-directed praying, praying with the gift of tongues is one of the foremost ways. The following are some key points concerning this type of prophetic intercession.

1. Praying in the Spirit is your spirit communicating directly with God. It is primarily for use in your devotional prayer life for intercession, praise, and worship.

a. 1 Cor. 14:28b – …let him speak to himself and to God.

b. 1 Cor. 14:2 – For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.

2. Praying in the spirit is a perfect prayer.

a. Since you do not always know how or what to pray in a given situation, you can bring the need before the Lord by praying in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit, your helper, enables you to pray as you ought thereby praying in the Lord’s will.

b. Praying in the Spirit is a means by which the Holy Spirit intercedes through your spirit. This is where we get the term “prayer language.”

c. Rom. 8:26-28 – And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

d. 1 Cor. 14:14 – For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

3. Praying in the Spirit has definite meaning

a. Although you do not understand what you are praying, God does. He who inspired it also comprehends it.

b. 1 Cor. 14:10 – There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning.

4. Praying in the spirit edifies the person praying

a. As you use this prayer language consistently, you become built up, strengthened, and encouraged. You then have the refreshing ability to continue on in your intercessory warfare task.

b. 1 Cor. 14:4a – One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself…

c. Jude 20 – But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit.

5. Praying in the Spirit has the authority of heaven behind it!

a. There is no way you could know when satan and his demonic forces will launch an attack. But the Holy Spirit will prompt you at the strategic, opportune time.

b. Jas. 5:16b – The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

c. 1 Cor. 14:15 – What is the outcome, then? I shall pray with the spirit and I shall pray with the mind also; I shall sing with the spirit and I shall sing with the mind also.

d. Like Paul, you can pray in the Spirit and praise and worship Jesus. As you do this, you regain territory from the demonic kingdom in the lives of those for whom you are praying. This perfect prayer and praise weapon is powerful and always on target. Praise and prayer in tongues is God’s secret anti-ballistic missile!

Diversities of Tongues

1. 1 Cor. 12:1, 4-7, 27-28 – Concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant… Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal… Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.. (KJV)

2. There are different types of tongues. There is more than one kind of tongue. In 1 Cor. 12:28 (above), the word translated “diversities” is the Greek word genos, which means “kin” or “offspring”. It is a term that is used to refer to a collection of different things belonging to the same group or family. In other words, diversities of tongues are heavenly utterances that are all different from each other, yet all are related to one another by the same Spirit.

3. Examples of diversities of tongues

a. Tongues at the filling of the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:1-4; 10:44-46; Mark 16:17.

b. Tongues for interpretation – 1 Cor. 12:7-10; Isa. 28:11.

c. Tongues of edification – Jude 20; 1 Cor. 14:4.

d. Tongues as a sign to the unbeliever – 1 Cor. 14:22.

e. Tongues of intercession – Rom. 8:26. The word groanings in this verse can be translated “inarticulate speech”. It refers to speech that does not originate in the intellect or with the understanding. It is speech that is not related to race of nationality. Inarticulate speech includes, but is not limited to other tongues.

f. Tongues of war – There is a place where the Holy Spirit goes on the offensive. He battles through us. Sometimes there is a coupling together of the gift of faith with tongues. A rising within occurs and a push or urge to launch out against the demonic forces happens. Sometimes it is the wedding between discerning of spirits and tongues. You combat or attack the dark force, commanding it to flee.

In these situations, you are operating in a “militant tongue” or “warring with the gift of tongues.” When you pray in this type of tongue, you are attacking the powers of darkness. You are taking authority over the power of satan. You are rebuking the enemy and rejecting his plans for your life, by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within you. This is the tongue of intercession engaged in warfare. Deliverance, healing, and liberty can come through the power of warring tongues.

Keep Jesus Central

When praying in the gift of tongues, keep the focus of your heart towards the Lord Himself. Keep Jesus central in all things. Always return to worship even after engaging in some type of message tongue, rebuking of dark demonic forces, of whatever. Just go back into worship in your heavenly or earthly language and praise the Lord. Start out with the posture of your heart in worship and praise and close out your time in the same manner. It keeps things clear, focused and engaged.

Father, we ask that you lead us this week into some of our own private lessons of Praying in the Spirit. We stir ourselves up in our most holy faith in Jesus name. We look forward to worshipping and praising You in a manner that is not limited to our earthly understandings! Praise the Lord! Yes, let’s praise the Lord, worship the Lord and pray with and to the Lord with the power of the Holy Spirit’s help!

Now Just Do It! Amen and Amen!

Blessings!

James W. Goll