Private Prayer Language

I think we too easily just dismiss stuff we do not understand. no matter what anyone tries to say the verses listed are difficult to fully understand and it seems there is more there than we can really grasp.

What do you do with a man such as Dr. Rankin, a very well respected man and leader, who has stated that he has had a private prayer language?

 

Tongues are real, and are in use today... but not in so many "spiritual" churches.

The gift (and it is a true gift, not a sideshow) is given to many around the world to further the gospel, just as was done in the NT. Many missionaries, as well as laymen, have miracuously conversed with the unsaved who did not speak or understand the witness's language.

But what is practised in many churches (and I do mean "practised", as in rehearsed) is nothing more than exstatic abbling.

What one does in private with God is between them and Him... but I am sure He would rather hear what is on your heart than what comes out of your mouth.

I, too, have been at the place where words couldn't express or even come close to what was in my heart, and could only moan and weep at His feet. But it was just that... moaning and weeping.

Praying in tongues reminds me of those who show off
their verbosity in prayer... going on and on trying to show how "spiritual" they are by how long they pray (I used to be one, so I know). Now, I realize that God wants to hear from ME, not hear how long I can go on and on.

 

The closest I ever came to a "private prayer language" was when I was in a time of great distress (death of my sister). After the phone call, all I remember thinking was the need to pray. I started out "Oh Lord___", and that's as far as I got. I believe the Holy Spirit filled in the blanks for me. I remember a floodgate of thoughts and images running through my mind. It seemed like hundreds. I believe these were the "groanings" of the Holy Spirit that are mentioned in Scripture, and I am thankful that as a believer, I truly have the "Counsellor" within.

 

I have heard a lot of people say you should pray in tongues so the devil can not hear what you are praying about. (I wouldn't know what I was praying about either). But where does this idea come from? Are we warned anywhere in scripture to not let satan hear our conversations with God? If that were the case, can we not just pray silently? Where do they get this?

 

They probably get this false theology from the Word of Faith movement!! My advise is to steer as far away from this "landmine" as you possibly can!!

Bro. David

 

I think for believes it could be one of the first two, and for unbelievers, any of these.

It seems that people who believe in a private prayer language either misuse scripture to back it up (as has been ably pointed out by several on this thread) or try to use experience to back it up - theirs or others. I just can't believe in it based on someone's experience, no matter how real it was to that person. If it is not supported by scripture -- and it isn't -- then I don't believe in it. I have had friends who say they've experienced it and I usually just don't respond.

 

I've had the same kind of experience, but don't believe this is private prayer language (I realize you are not claiming this).

Also, one time as I was praying for someone (an unbeliever caught up in a cult), all of a sudden I found myself praying for the person in a way I had not planned -- that she would leave the (cult) meeting that night and not want to go back the next day! This was clearly the Holy Spirit intervening, but in words, as I was speaking normally. However, I was surprised at what I had prayed. Well, guess what? The person called her friend that night and said she wanted to leave the meeting early, and she decided to leave the next day and not go back! This is really true, PTL! raise:

 

I've heard an Assembly of God guy say that. I thought it was stupid. I suppose the sentiment of hiding from the Devil has some scriptural support, though. James 4:7 says, "Flee from the Devil, or he will resist you." No, wait a second. Got that backwards. Sorry. I guess there's no scriptural support for that idiocy, after all.

Michael

 

:laugh:

I know there are many who "make it up"... but there are also many I don't believe are... not on purpose anyway. Do people just work themselves up into such a frenzy, that these unintelligible words or sounds just start flowing out of their mouths? Then after the initial episode, they can do it at will (turn it off and on)? What would cause that? (Obviously, I'm no psychologist.)

Again, I'm not debating either way - just seriously wondering how so many devoted Christians are sure it's the Holy Spirit... and yet so many others are just as sure that it isn't. I know that God is not the author of confusion. Thanks for putting up with my many questions on this subject.

 

I have not read the whole thread here, but did want to share some thoughts on the passage that was mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14:1-4

I personally do not understand Paul to be introducing a 'privated prayer language' in this portion of scripture. I think if we keep it in context of all that he was dealing with in the Corinthian church, we will have better understanding of what he is actually saying.

Those in the Corinthian church who did have the gift of tongues, obviously were not exercising them correctly, and definitely not in humility and love.
(Paul addresses this thoroughly in chapters 12-13.) I think that he is trying to correct their errors, showing them that to begin with all things must be done in love, God gives gifts as He pleases and not everyone in the Corinthian church would have the gifts of tongues. Tongues had a purpose, and if those gifted were coming to their gatherings and using their gift in the wrong manner, others would have no understanding of what they were speaking, and they would in fact, be speaking to God alone. Note: he says... "BUT he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men." Showing them that when gathered as a body, this was the preferred manner, the one gifted for tongues should use it for the purpose it was given, which obviously was for evangelizing the gospel. Otherwise, using them in church, he was only 'edifying himself' (vs. 4)

 

One more thought...and please someone correct me if I am wrong. But, I believe Acts 2 gives us the example of how tongues were given for a sign.

Think about it. Here we had 'Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven' (vs 5) gathered and dwelling in Jerusalem for the feasts. Peter and all the disciples could have spoken Hebrew to those men, those men would have been able to understand that. As devout Jews, they would have spoken Hebrew too! But, God chose to give the disciples the gift of tongues and those visiting Jews heard these locals speaking to them in their own language..."Parthinians, Medes, Elamites....etc. Why did God do this... 'as a sign to those Jews' and fulfillment to prophecy, just as Peter told them. (vs 16-18)

Considering that last statement a question arises... Was the prophecy in Joel fulfilled on the day of Pentecost or not? If so, then what about the tongues of today? And does 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 give us any insight?

 

The words of Chuck Swindoll seem appropriate here:

"We are to experience the teachings of the bible, not teach the experiences of the bible."

While imatation is the highest form of flattery, I don't think that it should apply to this subject. The Holy Spirit had just been poured forth upon the church, and the sign of tongues was used to further Christ's kingdom in that day.

 

Thank you PastorSBC1303 for a refreshing observation. :thumbs:

 

The Apostle Paul told the Corinthian church that they should covet to speak in tongues, but covet more to prophesy.

 

As far as Dr. Rankin goes, just because someone "experiences" something, does not mean it's true, or it is from God. That being said, Scripture does not mention a "private prayer language" or even hint at one by the Scriptures posted. It's one thing to pray through the Holy Spirit, and a totally different thing for the Holy Spirit to intercede on our behalf. So it is easy, at least for me, to dismiss it.

 

So Webdog (and anyone else who will answer), what do you believe is happening then, for those who truly believe they have a "prayer language"? I know alot of people make it up, but many do not... and they believe they really have a supernatural "gift" operating through them. I'm not arguing against you at all... but I just don't understand what's really going on when this happens.

Thanks for helping me try to understand all this.

 

Again, it is easy to dismiss something that we do not understand. There is more here than we can understand or grasp, IMO.

As I stated before, I have not had a private prayer language. But I have read and talked to people whom I have respect for that have stated that they do. It is not on the same line as the "gibberish" that we see on TBN and other places. This is something private between the Lord and the individual. Since it is from people I respect, I cannot dismiss it, but rather admit that the things of God go much deeper than I can fully grasp and comprehend.

Web, I wonder if you would be so willing to say the same thing regarding "experiences" that you have had? It is easy to dismiss experiences that others have had.

Just some thoughts to chew on from someone that knows he does not fully grasp the things of God. He is much bigger and deeper than I can fully understand.

 

PastorSBC writes:
"Again, it is easy to dismiss something that we do not understand. There is more here than we can understand or grasp, IMO. "

Very good PastorSBC. Too many christians think that God can only deal with other christains the way God has dealt with them. We should not limit God in our thinking.


Webdog writes:
"As far as Dr. Rankin goes, just because someone "experiences" something, does not mean it's true, or it is from God. That being said, Scripture does not mention a "private prayer language" or even hint at one by the Scriptures posted. It's one thing to pray through the Holy Spirit, and a totally different thing for the Holy Spirit to intercede on our behalf. So it is easy, at least for me, to dismiss it."

I Cor. 14:18@19 refers to Pauls' private prayer language. Paul would rather not speak in tongues in church where he may be understood, yet Paul speaks in tongues more than them all. Obviously, that was during his private prayer time, i.e. Private Prayer Language.

 

I think I have to disagree that this refers to a private prayer language. In verse 18, Paul is thanking God that he speaks more in tongues than those he's addressing, and in verse 19 states he would rather speak with 5 words of understanding in the church than words not understood. He's not saying he does not speak in tongues in the church. The tongues in verse 18 are clearly in context of the topic - speaking tongues in the church. I don't see how this shows a private prayer language!

 

Even if my "experiences" were not Bible based, I would question what happened, and why. An experience in itself does not mean truth. A private prayer language, again, is not a biblical principle. Jesus told us exactly how to pray, when asked how to..."Our Father in Heaven...". There was nothing "private" about it. I'm wondering if these "experiences" are psychological in nature, or are really just thoughts that are passed as being such.