Can you tell me why I should speak in other tongues? What are some of the benefits of practicing this kind of praying?


The first and foremost benefit of speaking in tongues is that we can speak directly to God out of our spirits, bypassing our minds.

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding (mind) is unfruitful.

What is the result 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 Cor. 14:14-15 NKJ)

When men or women speak in unknown tongues, they are speaking out of their spirits. Their minds, or their understanding, is not involved. This is a powerful way to pray and give thanks to God. One translation declares it this way:

"For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive (bears no fruit and helps nobody)" (1 Cor. 14:14 AMP).

Think about God helping us to pray, or giving us the words to say when we pray. Our mind doesn't understand what is going on, but it is effective and perfect prayer because God is helping us.

There are two additional benefits of speaking in tongues.

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.... He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
(1 Cor. 14:2,4 NKJ)

When we speak in an unknown tongue, we're speaking directly to God. At the same time, we are edifying ourselves. The word edify means "to build up." When we pray in tongues, we are praying out of our spirits, directly to God; this builds up our inner man.

"But you, beloved, building yourselves upon your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 1:20 NKJ).

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