Pray in the Spirit – Day 36

Truth:

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Jude 1:20 (New International Version)

Thought:

Did you ever notice Paul wished everyone would speak in tongues? Read 1 Corinthians 14:5 a little slower, and stop at the first comma. If you jump up to the verse 4 you’ll see why… because the ones who speak in tongues build themselves up.

The context of 1 Corinthians 11 – 14 is that Paul is addressing problems that happen when the church is gathered. When you speak in tongues it’s for God and yourself. It’s not for other people (14:2) so it doesn’t need to be done in a public gathering.

However, much of our public gathering today is focused on a personal intimate time with God. Since speaking in tongues builds yourself up, if it’s appropriate in your church context, why not pray to God in an unknown language much like you would in a language that you’ve learned?

That’s a side bar… let’s get back to how to strengthen yourself in the Lord.

Paul taught the church in Rome:

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. Romans 8:26-27 (New International Version)

Allowing the Spirit to pray through us allows us to pray confidently knowing we intercede for others according to the will of God. It allows us to pray beyond words, because we don’t know what to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us.

But is the gift of tongues for everyone?

In 1 Corinthians 12:31, 14:1 and 14:39, we are told to “eagerly desire greater” spiritual gifts. In the context of the passage, the greater gifts are the gifts that fit the moment. For example, prophecy is more desirable for a group setting, so seek to prophesy when you’re together. Since speaking in tongues builds up the individual, we can assume when we’re alone the greater gift is the gift of tongues.

Why would Paul want everyone to speak in tongues if it was not available to everyone? Why would he say to not forbid the speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:39) if we all couldn’t do it? Why are we told to build ourselves up as we pray in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20) if it’s only available for some?

When you eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit, it only takes a moment before you begin to operate in those gifts. The key is expectancy.

Luke 11:9-13 says:

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will
find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who
asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him
a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a
scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good
gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven
give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
(New International Version)

God is good and He gives good gifts to His children. Eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit and the Spirit will give them.

So to strengthen yourself in the Lord pray in tongues if you’ve got them, seek them if you don’t.

Prayer:

Lord, You are the giver of good gifts. I’m asking You for your best. I know in this life I need to build myself up in You and since the gift of tongues is the gift You’ve provided Your body to do just that, I ask You for this gift and I will eagerly pursue all gifts You give for the good of Your body and bride.

Challenge:

Most people’s problem with speaking in tongues is psychological, not spiritual. We expect the Holy Spirit to possess us and move our lips. It rarely happens that way. God is a gentleman and won’t impose His will on us. You’re going to need to open your mouth. You’re going to need to form words you don’t understand with your lips. Since without faith it’s impossible to please God, when you do this by faith, you know you’re pleasing Him.

If you can already speak in tongues, pray using them for 20 minutes a day and see how strengthened you become over the next week.

Declaration:

I choose not to be discouraged. I choose to look to God instead of my circumstance. I choose to strengthen myself in the Lord.