Chapter 7 - A Personal Prayer Language

INTRODUCTION

Henderson states, “In fact, I believe that the gift of tongues first and foremost benefits us in developing and operating in our own prayer times with God.”

PARTNERING WITH GOD

Read Romans 8:19-23. How does Henderson use these Scripture verses to explain how the natural birth of a child is related to the “trevail” or “birth pangs” of the Holy Spirit during times of praying in the Spirit?

This is a good picture of what transpires as the Holy Spirit moves through us in prayer. Before a woman can travail in birth and bring forth a child, she must first conceive. This is likewise true when we are carrying the burden of the Lord in prayer. There is always a conception in us first. Out of intimacy with God, we are impregnated with His burdens, desires and concerns. This is a precious thing. He entrusts these things only to those who carry His heart. Just as a woman must care for the seed/child she is pregnant with, so must we. When we are carrying a seed from the Lord, we must cherish and nurture it. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:14 to guard, keep and protect what was placed in him: “That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.” This is true for the things in us that we are entrusted to birth through prayer. There then comes the time when a woman goes into labor and begins to travail. What has previously been some slight discomfort now becomes intense and rigorous...The Bible uses this analogy to picture our prayer under the unction and presence of the Holy Spirit. Our prayer languages are a big part of this birthing process. We pray in tongues to steward what is in us. We pray in tongues to prepare what we are carrying. We pray in tongues as we travail. Then we pray in tongues to push something forth and give birth to it in the spirit realm. What happens with the birthing process in the natural is an accurate description of this process in the spiritual.

CALLED TO TREVAIL

Read Luke 22:39-45. What does Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane teach us about what it means to travail in prayer?

Jesus prayed so intensely that His sweat became as great drops of blood. This is an example of what it means to travail. It is intense and physical in addition to being spiritual.

How do tongues relate to travailing in prayer?

We can use the prayer language God has granted us to express the longing of our heart to heaven, but also to express the longing of His heart through us.

THE ADDED BENEFIT OF TONGUES

In this section, Henderson states five benefits of tongues. Fill in the information below for these five benefits and give a brief summary of the meaning of each one.

The first thing the gift of tongues does is bring encouragement into our spirit and life.

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 14:4

Meaning: When we speak in tongues, we are releasing encouragement and assurance into the deepest part of our being.

A second thing that happens when we exercise our prayer language is that revelation comes.

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 14:2

Meaning: Our prayer language before the Lord starts to unlock our spiritual senses, which allows us to discern the deep things of God that were previously hidden.

A third added benefit of praying in the gift of tongues is that it allows us to worship on an accelerated level.

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 14:16-17

Meaning: Our prayer in tongues is beautiful praise and thanks to the Lord.

A fourth thing that can happen when we pray in tongues is that we release a blessing.

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 14:16

Meaning: So when we bless, we are setting a blessing on someone or something that will allow that person or endeavor to prosper. This is the power of praying in tongues. We are causing someone to move forward with the blessing of God on his or her life.

The fifth and final idea or benefit is that when we operate in the gift of tongues, we speak to God and not to man.

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 14:2

Meaning: When someone prays in tongues, then, it is a prayer of worship, thanks or blessing toward God. It is not God speaking to us; it is us speaking to God.