Imagine how angels converse. The Word talks about tongues or languages of God's messengers. https://www.pexels.com/el-gr/photo/6437773/
[This type of Prayer is also a spiritual gift, and can be controversial in most churches today, but rewarding, and will take some explaining. The majority of references to tongues in the Word clearly speak of human languages, however, here are several references to a prayer language called tongues of Angels that is understood by God but not by man without interpretation by the Holy Spirit. Some teach that references to the word “tongues” in the New Testament often refer to both Tongues of Men and Angels interchangeably while others insist it only speaks of human languages. Whichever it is, Paul taught that we should NOT outright forbid speaking or praying in tongues.]
[1Co 14:39 NKJV] 39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
[1Co 14:4 NKJV] 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, [If this were referring to a known language of man it would edify others who speak that language as well like on Pentecost where other people understood Peter’s message in their own language. Why God would use another human language that you don’t understand edify yourself with doesn’t make much sense. So this passage is likely referring to a prayer language that only God and the angels understand, and requires interpretation by the Holy Spirit.] but he who prophesies edifies the church.
[Tongues in Scriptures is often tied to prophecy, speaking the hidden mysteries of God.]
[1Co 14:1-2 NKJV] 1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual [gifts], but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands [him]; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
[I believe tongues here is not a language of men but an angelic language, one spoken to God that He understands, used to speak mysteries from the Holy Spirit… a prayer language.]
[1Co 13:8-12 NKJV] 8 Love never fails. But whether [there are] prophecies, they will fail; whether [there are] tongues, they will cease; whether [there is] knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
[I was taught growing up the word “that” which is perfect has come (v. 10) refers to God’s complete written Scriptures finalized in cannon in 363 A.D. at the Council of Laodicea, however when “that” comes, this passage goes on to say then we shall know just as we are known. We do not yet know as we are known by God, so that which is perfect has not yet come, and the need for these gifts have not yet been done away with. I now believe “That” which is perfect is Jesus and His perfect love and fellowship with the saints after His promised second coming. However, one’s convictions on this teaching does not affect one’s salvation, and the unity of the church body in the bond of love is more important than one’s conviction on this issue. Just as Jesus prayed:]
[Jhn 17:11 NKJV] 11 "Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We [are].
[Jde 1:20-21 NKJV] 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, [If you choose to live out praying in a personal/angelic prayer language, you will find that you can build up your faith, re-enforcing the fact that the Holy Spirit truly indwells in you, building your ability to pray with confidence and faith. A powerful way to combat unbelief and a hard heart.] looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
[1Co 12:7-12 NKJV] 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit [of all]: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another [different] kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also [is] Christ.
[The Holy Spirit distributes manifestations of His Spirit “as He wills.” However, we have a part in the manifestation of these gifts. For example, all His disciples have a manifestation of the spiritual gift of faith, but some rarely try to operate in and act on that faith, other than for their initial salvation. In the same way some may rarely or never speak in angelic prayer tongues, probably because they were never taught or encouraged to operate in this gift.]
[1Co 12:28-31 NKJV] 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 [Are] all apostles? [Are] all prophets? [Are] all teachers? [Are] all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts [plural, more than one gift]. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
[Paul encourages us to desire more than one spiritual gift, especially those which are the best. However, it appears that not all have every gift identified in Scriptures such as praying in tongues. Still it is important to try to explore and operate in the “best” gifts, for self-edification and to edify the church body, and perhaps even desire and pray to operate in all the gifts. For example, we all may be able to operate in the gift of teaching at times, but some have a God given gift for teaching and excel in it through the power of the Holy Spirit.]
[1Co 14:13 NKJV] 13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. ...
[Paul instructs that prayer tongues can be used in a church meeting, but must be done in an orderly way, and always with interpretation, if your church meeting lacks those who confidently operate in the gift of interpretation of tongues, people should not use their gift of tongues in that meeting out loud, but pray silently during the meeting and out loud during their personal prayer time.]
[1Co 14:26-33 NKJV] 26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, [let there be] two or at the most three, [each] in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God [praying to yourself, in a silent prayer language]. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge [comparing with the Scriptures]. 30 But if [anything] is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. [each individual has self-control of their gifts and can decide when to use them. Speaking in tongues, or prophecy can be controlled by the individual just like when someone chooses to use the gift of teaching. If this were not the case, it would be unfair of Paul to suggest that they limit the number of tongue speakers to just two.] 33 For God is not [the author] of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
[2Co 4:13 NKJV] 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke, " we also believe and therefore speak [Psa. 116:10],
[When practicing speaking in a spiritual prayer language to God, remember, the Spirit is subject unto us and we must believe it is His Spirit speaking mysteries to God through us or what we are is just a clanging gong or sounding cymbal…it’s just gibberish. Teachings that tongues have ceased will cause unbelief about this gift and quench any desire to speak in tongues or other spiritual gifts that you may have been taught have passed away.
To practice any spiritual gift, you must first pray to receive salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit by praying a prayer of faith similar to the one in tip 2) The Best Prayer You Can Ever Pray.
Some people believe that receiving salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit are two separate acts. The prayer in tip 2) combines these two acts. When you receive the Holy Spirit most likely depends on what you were taught and believe.]
[Mat 9:29 NKJV] 29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you."
[I believed that I received the Holy Spirit when I was immersed in water (water baptism) because that is what I was taught… so that is what I believed even though that was probably not the best interpretation of Scripture. Now I know that it’s all in the believing and not what we do (such as water baptism, which is an outward sign of what we believe).]
Luk 11:11-13 NKJV] 11 "If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if [he asks] for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 "Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
[If you have prayed to receive Jesus as your savior but were never taught about the Holy Spirit or some aspects about the gifts, the Word says we need to ask for the Holy Spirit as well. Whether, you pray to receive Jesus and the Holy Spirit separately or at the same time doesn’t matter. It is all about what you believe which is likely based on what you were taught. Here is a simple prayer to receive the Holy Spirit. It is good to pray whether you have never prayed to receive the Holy Spirit or just not sure. However, be sure you have prayed to receive Jesus as your Savior first—see tip 2) The Best Prayer You Can Ever Pray.
Father, I recognize my need for Your power to live this life based on Your Word. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. By faith, I receive Him right now! Thank You for baptizing me. Holy Spirit. You are welcome in my life.
Once you believe you have received the Holy Spirit, ask God to reveal to you your spiritual gifts and start seeking God and His kingdom with all your heart and all these things shall be added to you. Speaking in tongues happens differently for people based in large part on what they are taught and believe. The best path is to always believe the Word, not the teachings of men. This is the beginning of a long slow journey.]
[Exo 23:30 NKJV] 30 "Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land.
[Deu 7:22 NKJV] 22 "And the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become [too] numerous for you.
[The above passages on Isreal’s conquest of the promised land may seem to be out of context for this discussion, but consider that the writer of Hebrews equates the children of Israel taking the promised land from the Canaanite nations, with entering the rest we experience as people of God who no longer have to work to have fellowship with God, but can now rest from our toil and wanderings with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.]
[Heb 4:8-12 NKJV] 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God [did] from His. 11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience [that is the same example of the children of Israel who were caused to wonder in the wilderness for 40 years]. 12 For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
[This passage equates the Word with the Holy Spirit who knows the intents of our heart. So when practicing a prayer language or other spiritual gift enabled by the Holy Spirit, start off small, “little by little,” like when the Israelites took the promised land to enter into their rest.
For speaking in tongues start out little by little. Try to say a few syllables that may sound like non-sense to you. Say it over and over again. Add more. Try to utter a phrase. Remember, the Spirit of the prophets are subject to the prophets (1 Cor. 14:32), so you have to cause yourself to speak, don’t wait for a feeling to overwhelm you. It’s not about feelings. Feelings are related to the lusts of the flesh based on the five senses. Your prayer language is about believing that you are practicing God’s spiritual gift to you as promised in His Word. He knows the thoughts and intent of your heart.]
[Jhn 3:6 NKJV] 6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
[Our Spirit is sealed and is not affected by our emotions and our other fleshly senses. The more you operate in a spiritual prayer language or other gift, the better you get at doing it. Beware, Satan will try to lie to you and place doubt in your mind that you are doing the speaking and the Spirit is not. Combat those thoughts with God’s Word.]
[Ps. 116:10] "we also believe and therefore speak”.
[Speaking in tongues is way simpler than we make it. Here are some of tips. 1) After you have prayed for the gift of tongues (two or more praying for this is powerful), then try speaking. Initially you may have to think about forming the words but eventually they should come more easily. I know of one individual that said it took him years to get the hang of it, so don’t give up. 2) After operating in a prayer language for a while, if the words begin to come out way faster than you can think them, it is probably the Holy Spirit. 3) I operate in my prayer language when I’m in the car by myself, often listening to praise music, or praying to God in my thoughts while I’m speaking my prayer language. It sounds like gibberish but I ignore it mostly. It took me years to get over the thoughts of unbelief that it was just me doing it and not the Holy Spirit. I usually pray for interpretation, but rarely received an immediate interpretation or thought to answer a question or issue. However, I believe the divine inspiration that eventually comes – often days later – either at work or when sharing God’s Word with someone, these are manifestations of the hidden wisdom from God, and a direct result of my practicing a prayer language. Since I have been practicing it, I have grown more confident in my prayers and often experience the rest and refreshing promised in Scriptures. Try it! God gives good gifts to those whom He loves.]
[1Co 14:12-15 NKJV] 12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual [gifts], [let it be] for the edification of the church [that] you seek to excel. 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.
[Listening to praise songs and singing in your heart while uttering a prayer language can really build you up in your faith! I’m still learning and haven’t got this down perfect, but have been seeing fruit from practicing this gift. Jesus commanded:]
[Mat 28:20 NKJV] 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the age." Amen.
[All things include all spiritual gifts. As you draw closer to the Lord in your daily walk, try operating in a prayer language. The Lord knows our heart and gives grace to the humble. Soften your heart with the Word. Expect amazing things and don’t be surprised when God’s Word is fulfilled. The best is yet to come!]
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