Text: 1 Corinthians 14:2-4
Memory verse:
“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.”
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭14‬:‭2‬

One of the reasons why some believers rarely pray in tongues is their lack of faith in it. They wonder why they would not understand what they are speaking. They base their argument on the Pentecost experience, how “everyone heard them speak in his own language.” ‭‭(Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬). Yes, but this never happened again after that. I believe that God allowed this as a sign to the people around them. Paul clarifies this when he said, “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.” ‭‭(I Cor‬ ‭14‬:‭2‬).
The thought and words of the prayer do not originate from your mind or reasoning but from your spirit when praying in tongues. “For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.” ‭‭(1 Cor‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬). The devil often takes advantage of believers’ ignorance in this area to sow doubt into their hearts. Once this happens, such a persons loses confidence in the spiritual exercise and gradually stops praying in tongues, considering it as a waste of time. Praying in tongues is an act of faith because it is about the invisible yet it is the word of God. I also experience this when I pray for believers to receive the Holy Spirit. Some start speaking after being prayed for but suddenly stop when they discover that they don’t understand what they are saying. Speaking in tongues as a manifestation of the infilling of the Holy Spirit is different from the gift of divers kind of tongues and the interpretation of tongues as in 1 Corinthians 12:10. These are gifts given by the Holy Spirit but as He chooses. That is, not all believers will receive the special ability to interpret tongues.
Friends, don’t let the devil sow the seed of doubt in you. Arise in faith and begin to pray in the Holy Spirit.

Prayer points
1. I cast out all doubt about the presence and working of the spirit from me in Jesus name.
2. Father, take me deeper in the spirit, praying in the Holy Spirit in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. When I pray in tongues, my understanding is unfruitful.
2. Speaking in tongues is the Holy Spirit’s manifestation in me.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng