Whenever you discuss speaking or praying in tongues, there are usually two very distinct sides of the topic. There are those who believe they are still active today and those who don’t. While I could give arguments about why speaking or praying in tongues is still relevant for today, that’s not where I want to focus your attention today. For full disclosure, I am writing this from the perspective of someone who believes in praying in tongues and who would argue this practice is still useful and beneficial to the believer. It can also benefit the body of Christ, but only if it’s done in accordance with Scripture. My goal in this article is to bring both theological and experiential aspects to this conversation. There are those who will say you cannot rely on experience, but only on Scripture. I would say you can rely on both, but it is important to ensure the experience aligns with Scripture. With that, let’s talk about praying in tongues.
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Acts 2 describes the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on Jesus’ disciples as they prayed together. Suddenly, they began speaking in other tongues—real, recognizable languages they had never learned—declaring the wonders of God. Jews from many nations heard them speaking in their own native languages and were amazed. While the passage doesn’t specifically call this “praying in tongues,” the disciples were clearly engaged in Spirit-led worship. They weren’t delivering sermons or giving instruction—they were praising God. Because of this, many understand Pentecost as the first recorded example of believers praying or praising in tongues as the Holy Spirit enabled them.
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It’s important to note the Bible does not spend a lot of time on this topic, but it is not silent either. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, sheds a little more light on this subject.
"For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful" (1 Cor. 14:13-14).
This is the only place in the Bible (to my knowledge) where you find the phrase pray in a tongue. By mentioning this, Paul gives credence to the idea of praying in tongues. When you see the word tongues in scripture, it means languages. Because this verse connects tongues and prayer, some people have created the term of a prayer language. However, the Bible does not specifically use that language, and I don’t believe we should either. Can you pray in tongues? According to Corinthians, yes. Are you given a prayer language? My answer is no.
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Praying in tongues is like the experience those in the upper room had on the day of Pentecost. As you pray, the Holy Spirit enables you to pray in tongues. This should not be something you attempt to conjure up on your own. Praying in tongues is an act of the Holy Spirit and should only happen as the Holy Spirit empowers you. If he doesn’t enable it, then you are not praying by the power of the Holy Spirit.
When you pray in tongues, your natural mind may not understand what you are saying. That’s what Paul means when he says his spirit prays, but his mind is unfruitful. If you are praying in tongues, it is unnecessary for your mind to understand because it is your spirit communicating with the Holy Spirit. When you do this, it brings edification to your own spirit.
"For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit" (1 Cor. 14:2).
"Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church" (1 Cor. 14:4).
When you are praying in tongues, you are praying to God, and its primary benefit is for the person praying, not for anyone who might be listening.
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"So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding" (1 Cor 14:15).
Paul distinguishes between praying with his spirit and praying with understanding. In this context, praying with his spirit is a reference to praying in tongues because his mind cannot understand what he is saying, because he is praying in an unknown language. Yet this can edify his spirit even though his mind does not know what he is praying. Paul also mentions praying with understanding. This is not praying in tongues but praying in a language you understand, whether that’s your native tongue or another language you know.
I want to reference another verse that mentions praying in the Spirit.
"But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 1:20).
Is Jude implying here that praying in the Holy Spirit is the same as praying in tongues? While he does not say that exactly, much of your understanding of this verse depends on whether you believe in praying in tongues. If you do, then you may conclude that praying in the Holy Spirit can mean praying in tongues. If you don’t, then obviously you would come to a different conclusion. While praying in the Holy Spirit can include praying in tongues, it does not always mean praying in tongues. You can pray by the power of the Holy Spirit and not speak in tongues. He can specifically guide you in how to pray for someone or a specific situation, and that will not always lead you to praying in tongues.
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In my former church, the pastor had an affinity for the Spanish language. He didn’t speak it very well, but he loved to hear it. On plenty of occasions, he would even ask people to pray in Spanish. I’m from Brooklyn, and while there are many who speak Spanish in Brooklyn and I took three and a half years of Spanish between high school and college, I don’t speak the language well. When these people prayed in Spanish, I could catch a word here or there, but overall, I did not know what they were saying (unless they said hallelujah because that word is the same in every language).
While it was great for the person praying and those who knew the language, for me, it didn’t edify me much at all.
If you pray in tongues and you pray over a person in tongues, that does not edify their spirit for one simple reason: they do not know what you are saying. It is far better to pray for them in a language they understand than to pray in a language they don’t. Reserve praying for people in tongues for your private prayer sessions, but make sure you use language everyone can understand when you pray publicly. As Paul writes,
"Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying?" (1 Cor. 14:16).
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Sometimes, we make things way more complicated than they need to be. Let me sum up this idea of praying in tongues and make it easy for you. Whether you believe in praying in tongues or not, this should not be a point of division in the body of Christ. Your salvation does not hinge on praying in tongues.
Hopefully, what I am about to say is something we would all agree with as Christ-followers. If you believe in praying in tongues, then practice this in a manner that agrees with Scripture. When you are praying in tongues, you are praying to God and not the people; therefore, most, if not all, praying in tongues should happen in your private prayer time. Remember, praying in tongues in public will not benefit those who hear you unless there is an interpretation. Since most of the time that does not happen, it is better to keep your prayers in tongues between you and God. When you pray publicly, use a language everyone understands. This will not only bless you, but it will also bless those who hear you as well.
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This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Prayers for Healing
Morning Prayers
Prayers for Family
Prayers for Surgery
Prayers for Strength
Night Prayers Before Bed
Prayers for Protection
The Lord's Prayer: Our Father
Originally published Monday, 02 June 2025.
