Praying in the Spirit
I find that nothing seems to strengthen me like a good, long, fervent time of praying in tongues. I realize that not all of you who read this agree with this doctrine, but I must say that I am so very grateful for the gift of praying in tongues. When it has been a dry time for me, when I need to sense His presence, when I need to be renewed and refreshed, this is the tool I reach for.
I will never forget when I first prayed in the Spirit. My pastor, John Ault, was counselling me, a confused and hungry college student. After talking, reading the Word, and praying for me, he lovingly looked across the room at me and asked me if I spoke in tongues. "No, but I've received prayer for the baptism in the Spirit." "Darlene," he said, "I want you to go home and speak in tongues today. You need all that He has for you."
So, being the devoted Cranie that I was (that's a music student at Potsdam State), I headed straight for the most private place I knew of, a practice room. I determined to not leave until I had prayed in tongues.
God was and is always faithful. "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask?" Luke 11.13 I asked and He gave. Abundantly!
It changed my life. Next to being saved, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I had been struggling in my walk, lacking power and clarity. And through the ministry of the Spirit as I prayed in tongues I felt and experienced strength, power, and boldness. It is still the same today. I am so appreciative of the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the gift of praying in tongues.
I highly recommend it.
I will never forget when I first prayed in the Spirit. My pastor, John Ault, was counselling me, a confused and hungry college student. After talking, reading the Word, and praying for me, he lovingly looked across the room at me and asked me if I spoke in tongues. "No, but I've received prayer for the baptism in the Spirit." "Darlene," he said, "I want you to go home and speak in tongues today. You need all that He has for you."
So, being the devoted Cranie that I was (that's a music student at Potsdam State), I headed straight for the most private place I knew of, a practice room. I determined to not leave until I had prayed in tongues.
God was and is always faithful. "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask?" Luke 11.13 I asked and He gave. Abundantly!
It changed my life. Next to being saved, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I had been struggling in my walk, lacking power and clarity. And through the ministry of the Spirit as I prayed in tongues I felt and experienced strength, power, and boldness. It is still the same today. I am so appreciative of the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the gift of praying in tongues.
I highly recommend it.
posted by Darlene Sinclair at
11:54 PM
6 Comments:
I've always wondered why this is such a controversial topic. Because it is not black and white? Because people are scared of the unknown? any insight?
That requires a long complicated answer - could involve many different things. Some find it insupportable through scripture. Some have an emotional response to it, believing it to be demonic in origination. Others think it to be false and purely emotional. Some believe it to have been part of another age and is no more.
I happen to believe there is strong scriptural evidence for the ministry of tongues. I also have testified of the reality of experience in my life and I think I am considered by those who know me to be devoted and solid in my pursuit of God and the study of His word.
So what shall we say? We must all hunger for God, knowing that He will lead us in His paths. And we must make room for one another and our "discoveries" - grace and love should reign supreme.
Gosh, I used to pray in tongues a lot. Now I can't remember the last time, and when I have in the past year, I felt goofy about it. Strange. I guess it was a dry season that got me off for a while. Is it OK to pray in tongues even though you do it entirely in faith and not out of some prompting or "feeling"? Is it possible to force it to happen, or is it OK to just try even though you don't get any woo-ha experience out of it? I don't know- I'm a bit confused, but I do believe in the power of praying in the Spirit. And boy oh boy could I use that right about now!
Praying in tongues is a tool. So like any other tool we take it out and use when it. The scriptures recommend regular times of "praying with the spirit and with the understanding". Therefore, I recommend it as well! It is not an emotional experience. It is much like any discipline or exercise. Sometimes it is fun and sometimes it is work. Sometimes you will feel like it and sometimes and sometimes you just do it anyways.It requires faith in that you do not always feel a "woo-ha" result. One just trusts the Word that says it builds our inner man.
So go for it. You can pray in tongues while washing dishes, showering, walking little ones in the stroller - because it doesn't engage your understanding, it can be done readily in all situations.
Take out the tool, clean off the rust, prime the pump, whatever! And be blessed!
Sorry about all the typos - I had a lttle boy helping me on the keyboard!
Hey Darlene - I attend a church that believes in being baptized in the Holy Spirit and the speaking of tongues. I've been going for a little over a year now, since I recommitted myself to God. I have not yet been able to pray in tongues - just wondering your thoughts on whether it is a gift that all receive, or if it just for a few who have been chosen. If possible - could you email me at ljones8155@comcast.net. Thank you, and have a great day! Lisa
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