Paul spoke in tongues a lot! He said so.
1 Corinthians 14:18:
I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.
But this was not done IN the church, unless interpreted. IN THE CHURCH, Paul preferred to teach.
1 Corinthians 14:19:
Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
So, why did he speak in tongues so much in his private, silent time? Because he was praying FOR THE CHURCH.
2 Corinthians 11:28:
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, THE CARE OF ALL THE CHURCHES.
Ephesians 6:18:
Praying always with ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION IN THE SPIRIT, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication FOR ALL SAINTS.
Philippians 1:3:
I THANK MY GOD upon EVERY REMEMBRANCE OF YOU.
Speaking in tongues is “prayer in the spirit.” It is also giving thanks to God “well.” Paul did pray with his understanding in the language he knew. But he also spoke in tongues and prayed “in or with the spirit.”
1 Corinthians 14:14,15,17:
For if I PRAY IN AN UNKNOWN TONGUE, my SPIRIT PRAYETH, but my understanding is unfruitful.
What is it then? I WILL PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
For thou verily GIVEST THANKS WELL.
Jesus taught us how to pray with our understanding:
Matthew 6:913:
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Jesus also said we would be able to pray in the spirit by speaking in tongues.
Mark 16:17:
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES.
In fact, he told his followers to go to Jerusalem and to receive the promise of the Father.
Luke 24:49:
And, behold, I send the PROMISE OF MY FATHER upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH.
They obeyed, went there, and were born again on the day of Pentecost. The first thing that they did was to speak in tongues and do what Jesus said to do.
Acts 1:8:
But ye shall receive power, after that THE HOLY SPIRIT IS COME UPON YOU: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 2:4:
And they were all FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, and began to SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
If you don’t speak in tongues, it is very simple. You are filled with God’s spirit and have the ability. Just move your mouth and begin speaking, knowing that the Father has filled you and will give you a language of “men or of angels” [1 Corinthians 13:1]. This is a wonderful way to pray and thank the Father for all He has done for us in Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19:
Rejoice evermore.
PRAY without ceasing.
In every thing GIVE THANKS: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
QUENCH NOT [USE TO THE FULLEST] THE SPIRIT.
Amen. I love you.
