March 11 | The Prayer of Unknown Languages

Series | The Life of Prayer and Heart of Worship 

Scripture | 1 Corinthians 14:2, “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.”

Lesson 11 | The Prayer of Unknown Languages

One of the most overlooked kinds of prayer in American Christianity is the “prayer of unknown languages.”  After a person is baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues they now have a very special gift that they can pray to God with at any time.  One of the primary functions of this gift is to pray directly to God and “utter mysteries.”

Paul goes on to write in verse fifteen of the same chapter, “So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.”  He makes the distinction between praying/singing with “one’s mind” and with “one’s spirit.”  Therefore, every believer has the precious promise that whenever they do not have the Words to describe their deep love for God, the Holy Spirit will give them “tongues” to express their great passion for God and declare the mysteries of His glory.

The Greek word for “tongues” simply means, “languages.”  Thus, the Holy Spirit-filled believer is enabled to worship and pray to God in unlearned languages that “no one understands.”  At times God can use these unknown languages to speak to men like on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:6) or someone can pray that the tongues be interpreted and thus be used as prophecy for the edification of the church, 1 Corinthians 14:13.

However, Paul in the opening text clearly shares that the daily prayer life in unknown languages is beneficial because it is primarily between them and God.  Also, Jude states that when someone is praying in the Spirit (i.e., “tongues”) they are building up their “most holy faith,” Jude 1:20.

As a result, you have the God-given power to pray and utter mysteries about God and at the same time build your “most holy faith!”  Therefore, take time everyday to pray both with your mind and with your spirit in unknown languages! 

Reflection | Do you pray and utter mysteries to God in unknown languages? 

Action | (1) Pray and ask to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit if you have not already received it. (2) Make time daily to pray in unknown languages.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Numbers 15:17-16:40, Mark 15:1-47, Psalm 54:1-7, &Proverbs 11:5-6. Click here to read online.