Alright, I don't think I've ever written about this openly, but I think perhaps I should. I wrote this in my journal this morning. Why pray in tongues? When I wake up in the morning, often, I'm spiritually confused. I'm not exactly sure why I'm alive, what I have to do with God, or what God is up to. Very quickly, my mind will rush in and frantically fill in the gaps. I'm now operating off of yesterday's manna - going thru the motions because I don't know what else to do. Praying in the Spirit (1 cor 14:15) "edifies yourself" (1 cor 14:4). How?? By strengthening our spirit inside of us, the rest of our faculties (our body, our will, our thought-life), which normally easily overwhelm us, are instead brought under the submission of a strengthened spirit - which is in turn under authority and submitted to the Holy Spirit. Often, when praying in tongues, God will make simple and clear several things he intends for me to do soon. So, without edification, I find the following characteristics to be true - lack of God's vision & plan for my life (and instead I fill the lack with my own plans and do things my own way), lack of God's heart (an apathy and lukewarmness towards God and towards people), a lack of God's warmth and connectedness (instead seeking to fulfill the desire for intimacy from other places). Is praying in tongues the only way to edify ourselves? Certainly not. In my experience though, and also for many people I've met, it has proven to be a very quick and effective way to tune into God's reality, God's agenda - by bypassing our intellect, our will, our fleshly desires - and going straight to the Spirit of God. James tells us that the tongue is like a rudder, which controls a ship. Similarly, when we submit our tongue and offer our speech to God, the Holy Spirit will direct us as a rudder turns a ship, adjusting the things that may be off, and put us more accurately on God's course for our lives. Is praying in tongues for everyone? Anyone who wants a deeper relationship with the Lord, and believes what the bible says about spiritual gifts, it's available to you. Does God wish for this in your life? 1 cor 4:5 tells us, "Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy;" Either believe God's word, or don't believe it - it's very clear and simple. Now, if you do desire a deeper relationship with the Lord, and for this tool that can edify your spirit, will then, God give it to you? Jesus tells us (Luke 11:11) "For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 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?" Again, the word of God is simple and clear. It is the heart of God to give good gifts to his children, and if we seek and eagerly desire the different gifts God has to offer us, he will not refuse us, but will pour out generously and continuously in our lives. The basis for receiving these gifts is a simple childlike faith (ask, receive. seek, find.), not by merit or spiritual heritage or maturity. If you have any questions, give me a call or e-mail me. God bless you!