Praying in Tongues..

[Melody]

Someone fwd-ed me a mail with a very interesting newspaper clipping. On searching online, I found the link to share with you all.

It's about praying in tongues. I quote from the article I linked above:

Through research and testing he found out that as we pray in the Spirit, or worship in the Spirit, (our heavenly language) there is activity that begins to take place in our brain. As we engage in our heavenly language the brain releases 2 chemical secretions that are directed into our immune systems giving a 35 to 40 percent boost to the immune system. This promotes healing within our bodies. Amazingly this secretion is triggered from a part of the brain that has no other apparent activity in humans and is only activated by our Spirit led prayer and worship.

[Stigmata]

Why would God require so complex a mechanism?

Can He not just read our hearts and minds?

The quote gives the appearance of scholarship. Who is the author, and what are his credentials?

[Melody]

I don't think it's that God "requires" such a "complex mechanism" Stigmata. He could just say "Be healed" & we'd be healed! But it's beautiful to know that when we pray in tongues, we actually boost our immune system!

The link that I mentioned earlier goes on to talk about laughter & and its benefit to the human immune system. This is a subject already accepted by non-religious medical fraternity.

I'm sure praise & worship also does that to our bodies, maybe one day some scientist will prove that too!

Also to answer your qs & I again quote from the article:

As a matter of reference, Carl R. Peterson, M.D. is highly respected, as a psychiatrist and as a Christian.

Blessings,

Melody

[jesusandyou]

Praying in tongues or doing praise and worship is not for entertaitment. Praying in tongues or worship is not to meet the selfish desires of our body or soul. All physical activities boost the brain. Meditation calm our soul.

Talking in tongues is to edify one's human spirit. That is to bring your spirit closer to God. The new testament people spoke in tongues. When you talk in tongues you are not talking to men but to God.

Many pop up this question. Why everyone can't talk in tongues? The answer is simple. Your pride makes you not to speak in tongues. Won't this a surprise when I say that John Paul II talks in tongues?

To rejuvenate your inner man speak in tongues. Take daily exercises. That will improve the quality of you immune system.

[vivshaun]

Praise the Lord

Wasn't praying in tongues signifies praying and preaching the
WORD in other languages unknown to the speaker.... one which would be understood by all the persons in that place or area.
Like when the apostles got the gift of the tongues... they could go out and preach in various other languages not known to them but understood by the multitude of people they preached to.
In my charistmatic group there are persons who pray in tongues.. but they keep repeating the same words again and again..... and is not understood by the rest of us..... i dont want to judge but is this how is it?
As far i interpret this .. that the gift of tongues would be 2 speak in other languages unknow to the speaker but known to the people in the congregation...

COULD REV ERIC, MELODY SEEKER CLARIFY MY DOUBTS AND I COULD STAND CORRECTED.

GOD BLESS  
VIVIAN

[Seeker]

Hi Vivian,

I wish I could help out, but I'm not very knowledgeable about "speaking in tongues."  

Like when the apostles got the gift of the tongues... they could go out and preach in various other languages not known to them but understood by the multitude of people they preached to.

What you said here is basically what my understanding is on the gift of tongues and I got this from my reading of Scripture.  I don't think the Church has made a pronouncement either way.


I have been exposed to varying viewpoints online.  There are at least two posters here who have strong and varying opinions about "speaking in tongues."  DavidFilmer and TRMichels.  There are others who may also want to give their opinion.  I know we have a couple Charismatics in our community here who might be willing to give their thoughts.

You may want to start by reading this thread.

[Richard Mascarenhas]

I don't think it's that God "requires" such a "complex mechanism" Stigmata. He could just say "Be healed" & we'd be healed! But it's beautiful to know that when we pray in tongues, we actually boost our immune system!

The link that I mentioned earlier goes on to talk about laughter & and its benefit to the human immune system. This is a subject already accepted by non-religious medical fraternity.

I'm sure praise & worship also does that to our bodies, maybe one day some scientist will prove that too!

Also to answer your qs & I again quote from the article:
Blessings,

Melody

[snapback]609[/snapback]

Hi,

I have been reading this site for quite a few days and i finally registered today.  This is my first mail.  EWTN is the site i usually visited as they too have a wonderful forum to ask questions.

The post on "Speaking in Tongues" made me post this mail today.  I have made two residential retreats at Tabor Ashram, a born again so to say since then and i have  experienced the healing touch of Jesus.  One of the first healing i got was a cure from Cervical Spondilitis that was in 2001.  Since then i have been a regular at Prayer Meetings.  I am in Abu Dhabi and we have a wonderful prayer service here held every friday.  I also attend the intercessory meeting on Tuesdays.

It is my great yearning to be able to pray in tongues, which i have not been able to.  I know its a great way to pray and pray for long periods.  I am at a loss to understand why not me.


The following post by Member - Jesusandyou posted on 8th april 2004 does not really make sense.  
(Quote - "Many pop up this question. Why everyone can't talk in tongues? The answer is simple. Your pride makes you not to speak in tongues. Won't this a surprise when I say that John Paul II talks in tongues?" - Unquote)


Melody/Ajay or Can someone help.

Richard Mascarenhas

[Ajay]

I am at a loss to understand why not me.

That's a question that has been at the back of my mind as well. Why am I not able to speak in tongues.

[Seeker]

Welcome Richard!  Glad to see you posting here!

There is some question as to whether "speaking in tongues" as it is practiced among Charismatics is a legitimate gift of the Holy Spirit.  You are welcome to review the "spirited" discussions between DavidF and TRMichels regarding this very topic in the Apologetics forum.


Having said that, I haven't decided either way yet unless the Church speaks on it.  Until then, if it is truly a gift of the Spirit, then some are given the gift and some are not.  It is for God to decide.  I'm sure you have other gifts that God has given you to build up His church.  Do not worry about why you do not speak in tongues, but use the gifts you have for the greater glory of God. (1 Cor 12 and 14).


The main thing is not speaking in tongues, but to love the Lord with all your heart and all your mind, and all your soul.   Personally, I think that we sometimes we make too big of a deal about extraordinary manifestations of the Spirit, when the Spirit can work quietly and gradually to form us into the likeness of Christ.  Just my opinion, which isn't worth much in the big scheme of things.

[Melody]

Hey Richard!

Firstly, welcome to our community

About what you wrote:

It is my great yearning to be able to pray in tongues, which i have not been able to. I know its a great way to pray and pray for long periods. I am at a loss to understand why not me.

The answer is very simple. The gift of tongues is a GIFT of the Holy Spirit. By that very definition it shows it is upto the giver to give the gifts. We can definetely feel free to desire the gifts and even ask the Lord for them, but we should be equally accepting of whatever decision the Lord makes in distributing the gifts. And we should praise and thank him for every decision he makes.

Now for a little testimony:

About 6 1/2 years ago I went to Potta for the first time. I had already been in the Renewal for 2 years & I didn't have the gift of tongues. About a week or two before I had to go, a family of 5 who are very close to my family went to Potta and they ALL got the gifts of tongues (2 adults, 3 children). I was totally excited. I SOOOO wanted this wonderful gift from the Holy Spirit.

So I went for my retreat. And God has blessed me so much that I didn't have anything much to pray for (wrt myself) so I asked the Lord to P-UH-LEASE (batting eyelids et al) give me this little gift. After all, I was His favorite daughter right?!

Anyway, the retreats were longer in those days (6 totally) and one day passed after another but nothing happened. On the night before the last day, I prayed so earnestly "God please, only ONE more day left, pls. pls. pls."

And nothing.

The last day came & the last day went.

And I was definetely not just a little dissapointed. Still, trying to be my cheerful best, I told the Lord it was ok. "Whatever you want God" I said. And I really meant it.

Now since we (my group of friends) had a little time to spare, we went visiting the nearby areas. One guy suggested we go see some blind priest who had the gift of knowledge. I honestly wasn't upto it. It was really really hot. I went anyway (since the rest all wanted) and had to stand in a long serpentine queue in the heat (I really hate having to stand in queues) and remove my footware & then get crowed into this little "outer room" while waiting to go into the "inner room" where the priests were.

And finally it was in this room, when I was (literally) at my worst, when I got (suddenly and believe me, totally unexpectedly) the gift of tongues! I believe God has a fantastic sense of humour. We were all praying in the outer room to pass the time till we went in, when suddenly words formed on my mouth! I was almost unsure if it was me at first, but it was great!

Today, I speak not only the few words I learned then, but greatttt amounts of tongues. I sing in tongues. I fly in tongues. (ok, made the last one up, but you get my drift).

End of testimony. Little, wasn't it

Also, I know a very holy man, who has been in the renewal for years, but doesn't have the gift.

The point is - as Seeker rightly put it; "love the Lord with all your heart and all your mind, and all your soul", the rest will come if it has to. Or not.

Blessings,

Melody

PS: To clear any doubts; the testimony was mine, just put it in quotes to differentiate it from the rest of the post.

[mario]

What is 'tongues'.  Does'nt tongues mean language .  Does'nt gift of tongues mean the abiltity to speak and communicate in different languages, like English, Spanish, French or Hindi.

 

[Seeker]

That's my understanding too Mario.  But there are some Charismatics who have a different definition.