The Church uses multiple phrases to describe the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Some people call it speaking in tongues, praying in the spirit, praying in tongues, and even a personal prayer language. But these phrases all describe the very same thing. When we speak in tongues, we use a language enabled by the Spirit that cannot be understood by the natural mind. These prayers come from our spirit straight to the Spirit of God, using our natural lips, tongues and voices.

Praying in the spirit is one of the most powerful tools we have in our arsenal as believers to live out the abundant life. It brings wisdom and revelation, and confidence in praying the perfect will of God. Speaking in tongues fosters intimacy with Him, among many other benefits. Paul wrote that he thanked God that he prayed in tongues more than anyone (1 Cor. 14:18), and he wrote two-thirds of the New Testament.

Knowing the benefits of praying in tongues is a first step, but beginning to do so can sometimes be challenging. If you feel discouraged because you have the desire to pray in tongues, and haven’t yet been able, you are not alone. Some of us begin to speak in tongues right away, but for others it may take a little while. Yet, we can be sure that it isn’t the Lord that is withholding from us.

The Choice to Speak in Tongues is Yours

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” – Acts 2:4 NKJV

The Holy Spirit will not force Himself on us. We have to choose to speak out, in faith. Acts 2:4 says that those present at Pentecost began to speak. They spoke, but the Spirit gave them the ability. If you have taken the first step in asking Jesus to baptize you with the Holy Spirit, then He has given you the ability that you need. Now, in faith, it is time for you to begin to release the spiritual words that He has placed within you.

Some people may start with just a few little syllables. You might began with just tiny little sounds, like a small child learning to speak. It may feel like you are speaking “spiritual baby babble” for a while, but do it in faith.

Your natural mind may try to tell you that you are just making it up, that it isn’t real, and even that you are doing it wrong. But just continue praying in the spirit, in faith, and eventually those little sounds and syllables will turn into words, and those words will turn into sentences.

Trust the Lord, and just keep going. Truly, we can’t mess this up: it is a gift from God.