For a long time the gift of prayer in tongues was forgotten and even seemed to have disappeared from the heart of the Church
Prayer in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:10). São Paulo makes several quotes about this charisma and its importance for those who put it into practice. We see the apostle spend time instructing the Corinthians on the use of the gift of tongues and correcting the exaggerations that sometimes occurred; We can see that this was a gift used very frequently, a very common gift for them and that was the case, in the beginning, for the Church.
Photo: Wesley Almeida/
However, for a long time this gift was forgotten and even seemed to have disappeared from within the Church, but once again this form of prayer has gained expression and its practice is increasingly common in the midst of the Charismatic Renewal.
How many times do we find ourselves lost, not knowing how to pray? We lack words. Other times we begin to praise God and are not able to spend even five minutes praising him. Still others, we feel our hearts almost come out of our chest with so much desire to talk to the Lord, but every word that reaches our mouths seems to be insufficient.
The Spirit prays in us
It is good to know that we are not alone, the Spirit himself comes to help our weakness.
Because we do not know what we should ask for or pray as we should, He Himself is willing to pray in us. It is God himself, who lives in our hearts, his temples, praying in us. The Holy Scripture says that He does it with ineffable groans, in a way that human intelligence is incapable of understanding.
They are moans, syllables that combine in an intelligible way, but of great significance. It is God who, being Father and knowing our hearts, wants to lead us to deep prayer.
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Prayer in tongues does not say things that human intelligence understands
He who prays in tongues does not say things that human intelligence is capable of understanding; his prayer comes from his heart, from his spirit, towards the heart of God; no one understands him, not even himself, because he says mysterious things under the action of the Holy Spirit. There is an obstacle here for people who overly rationalize everything. This prayer is a humiliation for intelligence… How many people when praying in tongues ask themselves if they are not acting stupid, they even feel ridiculous for consenting to start such a form of prayer. It would be contradictory to understand it when Holy Scripture says that it is not possible to do so.
There are many who say they don’t care about gifts, that charity is enough for them, as if it were in opposition to charisms and vice versa. The Holy Spirit teaches us: “Commit yourselves to seeking charity. Aspire to spiritual gifts equally…” We must aspire to charity in the same intensity, in the same way and depth as spiritual gifts (which end up being an operation of charity itself).
Prayer in tongues is the only charisma aimed at personal edification
Happy are those who take risks and venture out, even when their feelings contradict the intention of launching themselves into this wonderful experience, since those who pray in this way build themselves up. All other charismas are for other people; Prayer in tongues is the only charisma aimed at personal edification. It’s best not to waste it.
Extracted from the book: