Ten days after Jesus ascended into Heaven, He poured out His Spirit on 120 believers gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem. Their lives were never the same. They became witnesses who did more than proclaim that Jesus was alive. Through the Holy Spirit’ s power, they demonstrated it.
“ And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.” Mark 16:20 NKJV
This supernatural ministry began when“ they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance”( Acts 2:4). The word tongues means languages. They spoke in languages they had never learned as rivers of living water flowed from within them( John 7:37-39).
Jesus promised,“ You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you”( Acts 1:8). Speaking in a spiritual language is an initial manifestation of the Spirit’ s infilling and an ongoing reminder of His presence. It also opens the door to the supernatural gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12, including gifts of speech, power, and revelation. As believers pursue Him, prophecy, healing, miracles, wisdom, and knowledge can flow through their lives. God desires to make us powerful representatives of His Kingdom and effective co-laborers with Him.
2. It gives you a spiritual prayer language.
“ 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.” 1 Corinthians 14:2 NKJV
This was not a one-time event. It happened in Cornelius’ s house( Acts 10:27-47) and when Paul ministered to twelve Ephesian believers( Acts 19:1-6). It continues today when believers receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, accompanied by the ability to speak in a spiritual language filled with power and purpose.
Why desire this spiritual prayer language? Scripture reveals seven benefits.
1. It empowers you by God’ s Spirit.
Speaking to God is prayer. Paul explained,“ If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays” and declared,“ I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding”( 1 Corinthians 14:14-15). We should pray with our understanding, but in tongues we yield to the Holy Spirit. He can pray through us concerning what we truly need rather than what we think we need.
Scripture instructs believers to pray“ with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit”( Ephesians 6:18) and to build themselves up by“ praying in the Holy Spirit”( Jude 20).
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