Why Pray in Tongues?

The Lord helped me understand one of the many benefits of speaking in tongues. And I can sum it up in this one phrase, “I can align with Him and not guide Him.” Many times in the past when I was praying, I would find myself offering Him suggestions.  You know, “Please, Father, will You do this or do that.” And I would give Him ideas that He “may not have thought of.”  I think God must think some of our ideas are rather humorous at times.  

In a sense I have eliminated the middle man (me), which leaves the Holy Spirit talking directly to the Father as Jesus made the way for.  While I pray and the words flow from the Holy Spirit to God, my mind randomly visualizes people and situations and I lift them up in prayer.  It is like the conduit has a direct path without having to filter it with my brilliant ideas.  

When someone asks me to pray for them and I don’t have a clue what would be best, praying in tongues reduces all the stress for me.  I speak to God and He knows their heart and what will accomplish the greater goal.  

I can’t say that intercessory prayer is my gift but praying in tongues really helps.  It relieves the burden from hoping what I’m asking for is right.  It also prevents me from drifting off and losing interest in praying altogether.

Or how about this scenario: when someone asks you for prayer and you personally think what they are asking for will only worsen their problem.  I usually would say I would pray and think to myself, “Yeah I’ll pray for them but not what they are asking for.” I would have a blanket, catchall prayer of “I pray they are drawn closer to You through their situation.”

Many times I have been asked to pray to have something taken away.  Can God take it away? Sure, in a split second. More often than not He has something for you and me to learn.  I am reminded of the cartoon of a man carrying a cross.  He complains to God that it is too heavy.  So God allows the man to cut off some from the bottom of the cross.  The man goes a little further, complains some more and again God allows the man to cut off some more of his cross.  Other people are walking along carrying their full crosses and sweating.  The man who cut his is singing as his load is lighter.  It all seems to be going well for him, until they need their cross to get over the ravine. Everyone gets across using their cross as a bridge.  The man who cut his off realizes his is too short and can’t go on.

Basically, we will face trials that require spiritual muscle to go further in our walk with the Lord. Physical strength doesn’t come from a life of ease any more than spiritual strength comes from nothing but prosperity.  

If you ask me to pray, I’d be happy to do that for you.  I will open up my mouth and speak forth a language known only to my Father.  Some people might find it “weird,” but He doesn’t.  I was not always on board with it either.  I remember hearing about speaking in tongues when I was about 20 and I wanted no part of it. It sounded creepy to me.

As the years went by I found myself wanting anything God had to offer.  And then I came face to face with speaking in tongues.  I researched it and found someone to pray with me and the rest is history.  Do I know how I do it?  No, I don’t.  Do I know what I’m saying?  No, I don’t.  Can I start it and stop it when I want?  Yes.  What difference would it make that I do not understand how speaking in tongues works?  That would hold true for other things in my life too, and I use them.  Examples would include: my hairdryer, my smart phone, my computer, etc.  Just because I don’t understand how they work doesn’t prevent me from making the most of them.

I believe prayer is the most powerful force in the universe and when I speak in tongues I’m choosing that “I can align with Him and not guide Him.” I’ve found I’m praying longer and feel more in agreement with Him than ever before.  I’d say that’s a win-win.