I remember when I visited a charismatic church many years ago and heard a group of Christians praying in foreign languages—tongues. I wanted to turn around and run like….well, you know. I freaked out and wanted no part of it. The rational lawyer in me couldn’t get down with the gibberish.

My, how times have changed. Thankfully, God has poured out His revelation and anointing on me. I’d like to share it with you.

Most of the Christian “greats” are praying in tongues, but you just don’t know it. Many keep their prayer time with the Holy Spirit under wraps because it is intimate, deep, and often uncomfortably received by those who do not understand the inter-workings of our father in Heaven and the power of prayer.

Here’s why I think praying in tongues isn’t talked about:

We tend to fear what we don’t understand. It’s strange. It’s indecipherable. It sounds funny. It requires us to surrender our need for self-control. I think this is why many of the famous evangelists —especially the television personalities — keep a lid on the subject. Perhaps they fear alienating their audience if they endorse something that’s foreign and not well understood.

But the blessings that come from communing with God in this way are too great to keep ignoring and dismissing. Tongues is actually a gift from the Holy Spirit. This is not to be confused with the gift of interpreting tongues, which is only given to some people. There are several passages in the Bible that state that the Lord calls us to pray this way in order to build up our spirit. Just like physical exercise builds up the body.

Wish I could tell you with certainty how embracing this gift will play out in your life, but it really is based on your unique and personal relationship with Christ. As you practice, you will grow stronger spiritually and start to hear from Him—answers to prayers, signs, wisdom, healing, revelation, you name it. At a minimum, praying in tongues will bring you peace. I often pray in tongues while I walk in the park as a way to get my “spiritual” exercise. When I feel anxious or scared, it’s a great spiritual fix. We’re not talking an hour of prayer. Even just a few minutes is worthwhile.

It took me a long time to accept this gift—the Lord tried to give it to me for a couple years before I embraced it. When Christians are baptized in the spirit (which is different from baptism in salvation), tongues is received. Sometimes it happens during a church service where the Holy Spirit appears in a profound way that literally pulls it out of a person (overcomes them to a point of needing to sit or lay down). But a lot of times, God waits on us to take initiative.

I have heard of some Christians having negative experiences when they first start praying in tongues — interference from the enemy and praying in a tongue that is not from the Holy Spirit. I don’t know much about this other than using the gift should bring you peace and be pleasurable. If it’s not, pray and make sure you’re truly hearing from God. If not, command the negative spirit to leave in the name of Jesus and wait on the Lord for His leading.

I got attacked spiritually when I first received tongues, and it shut me down for a year before I was ready to embrace it again. The enemy comes after us when God wants to advance us in His kingdom. New level, new devil. Nonetheless, when I finally received tongues a few years ago, a pair of beautiful white doves appeared on my patio umbrella. Right after I got done praying, I said, “Well, Lord. I sure hope this is for me and from you. I’ll lean not on my own understanding (because there isn’t any) and put my complete trust in you.” Seconds later, the pair of white doves appeared. Boy did that bring me peace because I knew it was a sign from Him for my obedience.

Tongues has been such a controversial subject in the Christian community, but God is saying that it’s time for it to be mainstream among His children. I know many of you practice this gift and have seen many blessings unfold. Many of you haven’t and may be totally against it. I encourage you to take it to God in prayer and see what He says. You may be missing out on wonderful things that He wants to do in your spiritual life that only this gift of prayer can foster.