When I spend long times just praying in tongues I will begin to know inwardly some of what I am praying about. I’ll begin to sense it and interpret it in English, so that my understanding becomes fruitful. I also love to sing in tongues and the same basic thing begins to happen. I will usually start to hear a word or two, or a phrase, or a title to a psalm, a song, or a hymn. This is perfectly in line with the Scriptures, which command us to be filled with the Spirit by speaking or singing.
“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord…” (Ephesians 5:18-19)
The more you pray in tongues the more you fine tune your spirit. You become more familiar with the interpretation processes of the Holy Spirit and your faith is developed in prophecy. Paul said this:
“Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 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.” (1 Corinthians 14:13-15)
Paul prayed and sang with the spirit or in tongues and then interpreted with his understanding what he prayed or sang. He exhorts those who speak in tongues to also pray for interpretation. That’s a good place to start. But it’s not always necessary to interpret your own prayer language. You are edifying yourself either way.
The more you pray in tongues the more you edify yourself. Speaking and singing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit also edifies you and fills you. It’s a wonderful life on earth to always minister from a place of edification.
Smith Wigglesworth, the great apostle of faith from the last century, said that he’d edify himself in the afternoon by praying a couple of hours in tongues and then go out at night and edify the people through his preaching. I’ve made a practice of that in my own life and ministry also.
“He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself…” (1 Corinthians 14:4)
Edify means to build yourself up.
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 20-21)
Notice the expression, “building yourself up on your most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit.” You don’t receive faith, because faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17), but the faith you already have is stimulated when you pray in tongues. Something happens on the inside that is sometimes difficult to explain. Your spirit ascends as your mind grows quiet. The will of God becomes clearer to you. Peace takes over in troubling situations. Revelation comes. Direction is given. Oh what we miss when we don’t edify ourselves by praying in the Spirit or in tongues. To be continued…
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