I was reading in Matthew 25 this morning. It’s about the parable of the talents. In case you may have forgotten, or don’t know, this passage describes a situation where a master gave talents, (portions of money) to three of his servants before leaving on a journey. Two of them used their talents and the money multiplied. One buried his and had no growth to show when his master returned. The two that showed increase were rewarded and praised. The one who buried his was punished and rebuked. As I read this, I was reminded of a time in my life when I buried something the Lord gave me.
I have a prayer language. I speak in tongues. There I said it. This is something most Christians never discuss. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because it’s controversial. Maybe they’re afraid of being labeled. I don’t know, but it just never seems to be discussed, at least not in my circle of friends.
I received my gift when I was in high school. I wasn’t looking for it. I honestly had never heard anyone speak in tongues. After all, I attended a nice “conservative” church and people there just didn’t do such things. Anyways, a man that attended our church was praying for me one day and there it was. I began “babbling” in some foreign language. I didn’t know what was happening. I wasn’t told to “repeat after me” or “just say what comes to your mind.” I wasn’t coaxed at all! “It” just happened. Although I didn’t quite understand it all, I knew it felt great. I still remember the feeling of euphoria. I seriously can only compare it to being drunk. I loved it! (Although being drunk is not something I’d ever really experienced either). The only problem was that I didn’t know where to go from there! I was 16 years old and was just about the only person I knew who had this “gift”. (I did know a few people who didn’t attend our church but seldom spent time with them). So I locked it away and almost forgot about it. When I turned 18 I went to college and soon found a group of friends who shared this same gift. The problem was it seemed to be the center of their lives. Other’s spiritual walks were judged according to whether or not they shared this experience. I soon learned that this is not what I believed and again put my gift back in the closet.
So where am I now? It has taken me 30 plus years to finally come to a comfortable place with my prayer language. I do speak in tongues, on a daily basis. I do not feel any desire to pray in tongues in public. (Although I would, if promped by the Lord). I know my prayer language is no sign of any spiritual superiority. But it is a gift none the less, given to me by the Holy Spirit…to be used. My prayer language is a great tool during my times in prayer alone with God. Sometimes I speak in tongues when I’ve prayed for someone and just don’t know what else to pray for. I allow the Holy Spirit to pray through me “with groanings too deep for words.” Other times I worship Him in a language understood only by the Lord and his angels.
I’m thankful for this gift He has given me. I feel blessed to have received it. I don’t know why God gave me this prayer language. I wasn’t looking for it. But He did, for a purpose. I will not bury it but will strive to use it for His glory.
