How to Pray in Tongues: Understanding and Practicing Glossolalia in Modern Spiritual Life

Somewhere between the rational mind and the ineffable divine, millions of believers worldwide engage in a practice that defies conventional linguistic understanding. Speaking in tongues—or glossolalia, as scholars prefer—represents one of Christianity's most mystifying yet deeply personal spiritual disciplines. While skeptics dismiss it as emotional gibberish and cessationists argue it died with the apostles, those who practice it describe an intimate connection with the divine that transcends ordinary prayer.

The phenomenon cuts across denominational lines in unexpected ways. You'll find tongue-speakers in storefront Pentecostal churches in Brooklyn, Catholic charismatic renewal meetings in suburban Minneapolis, and even among some progressive Episcopalians who might surprise you with their openness to mystical experiences. What draws such diverse believers to this practice? And more practically, for those feeling called to explore it, how does one actually begin?

The Biblical Foundation and Historical Context

Paul's first letter to the Corinthians provides the most detailed biblical treatment of speaking in tongues, though his tone suggests he was addressing a church that had gotten a bit carried away with the practice. "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you," he writes, before immediately pivoting to emphasize that in church settings, he'd rather speak five intelligible words than ten thousand in an unknown tongue. This tension—between personal edification and corporate comprehension—has shaped tongues-speaking practices for two millennia.

The Book of Acts presents tongues differently, as a miraculous sign accompanying the Holy Spirit's arrival. On Pentecost, the apostles spoke in languages they'd never learned, enabling visitors from across the Roman Empire to hear the gospel in their native tongues. Some modern practitioners distinguish between this "xenoglossy" (speaking actual foreign languages) and the private prayer language Paul discusses in Corinthians. Others see them as manifestations of the same spiritual gift.

Early church fathers held varying views. Irenaeus and Tertullian affirmed the continuation of spiritual gifts including tongues, while Chrysostom, writing in the fourth century, suggested they had largely ceased. This debate—whether tongues were meant only for the apostolic age or continue today—still divides Christians. Augustine famously changed his position, initially arguing tongues had ceased before later acknowledging contemporary instances.

The modern Pentecostal movement, birthed in the early 1900s, brought tongues-speaking from the margins to the mainstream of Protestant Christianity. The Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles (1906-1915) became ground zero for a global movement that now claims over 600 million adherents. What started in a converted stable on Azusa Street has become one of Christianity's fastest-growing expressions.

Understanding the Spiritual Mechanics

Let me share something that took me years to grasp: praying in tongues isn't about achieving some specific emotional state or forcing something to happen. I've watched too many sincere seekers tie themselves in knots trying to manufacture an experience, usually because well-meaning but misguided teachers told them to "just let go and let the sounds flow." That's like telling someone to "just relax" when they're anxious—technically true but practically useless.

The theological understanding varies significantly across traditions. Classical Pentecostals often view tongues as the "initial physical evidence" of Spirit baptism—no tongues, no baptism in the Holy Spirit. Charismatics typically take a softer stance, seeing tongues as one possible manifestation among many. Some Reformed charismatics (yes, they exist) integrate tongues into a thoroughly Calvinistic framework, viewing it as a sovereign gift that God distributes according to his will.

From a psychological perspective, researchers have found that glossolalia involves decreased activity in the brain's frontal lobes—the areas responsible for intentional control of behavior. This doesn't prove or disprove its spiritual validity, but it does suggest that genuine tongues-speaking involves a kind of cognitive surrender that can't be fully manufactured through conscious effort.

Practical Steps for Beginning

If you're feeling drawn to explore praying in tongues, here's what I've learned from my own journey and from mentoring others:

First, examine your motivations. Are you seeking tongues because everyone else in your prayer group has the gift? Because you think it'll make you more spiritual? Or do you genuinely sense the Holy Spirit drawing you toward this form of prayer? Honest self-reflection here can save you from frustration later.

Create space for extended prayer without agenda. I mean really extended—not the five-minute devotionals squeezed between breakfast and your commute. Set aside an hour or two where you're not watching the clock. Some people find it helpful to play worship music quietly in the background; others prefer silence. There's no formula.

Begin with prayers in your native language, but gradually allow yourself to move beyond formed words. This might feel awkward or even silly at first. That's normal. You might start with simple sounds or syllables that don't form recognizable words. Some describe it as similar to a baby's babbling—not meaningless, but pre-linguistic.

Here's where it gets tricky and where I'll probably upset some of my Pentecostal friends: not everyone who speaks in tongues has the same experience. Some people receive the gift suddenly and dramatically. Others develop it gradually over weeks or months. Some speak in what sounds like a structured language with repeated patterns. Others produce sounds that seem more fluid and varied. I've known people whose tongues sound almost like Hebrew or Arabic, and others whose utterances don't resemble any earthly language.

Don't try to analyze or control what comes out. This is perhaps the hardest part for intellectually-oriented believers (guilty as charged). The moment you start thinking, "Am I just making this up? Does this sound legitimate? What will others think?"—you're back in your frontal lobes, trying to manage an experience that requires surrender.

Common Obstacles and Misconceptions

The biggest obstacle I see isn't theological or spiritual—it's cultural. In our hyper-rational age, any practice that bypasses cognitive control seems suspect. We're trained from childhood to articulate clearly, to make sense, to communicate effectively. Tongues-speaking violates all these social norms. No wonder it feels uncomfortable.

Then there's the fear of deception—either deceiving yourself or being deceived by others. I've met believers who desperately want to speak in tongues but hold back because they can't distinguish between genuine spiritual utterance and their own fabrication. This fear often stems from seeing others fake it. And yes, people do fake it. I've been in services where the pressure to speak in tongues was so intense that folks just mimicked what they heard around them. This kind of environment helps no one.

Another significant obstacle is poor teaching that treats tongues like a technique to be mastered rather than a gift to be received. I've heard instructions like "Start saying 'hallelujah' faster and faster until it turns into tongues" or "Just repeat 'shoulda-bought-a-Honda' rapidly." Such mechanical approaches miss the point entirely and often produce counterfeit experiences that leave people more confused than edified.

Some believers struggle because they've been taught that tongues must sound a certain way. If your tongues don't sound like your pastor's or your prayer partner's, you might doubt their authenticity. But Scripture nowhere suggests that all tongues should sound alike. The diversity of human languages should hint at the possible diversity of spiritual languages.

Integrating Tongues into Regular Prayer Life

Once you've begun speaking in tongues, the question becomes how to incorporate this gift into your ongoing spiritual life. Paul's advice to the Corinthians remains relevant: use tongues for personal edification, but in corporate settings, prioritize what builds up others.

Many practitioners develop a rhythm of alternating between praying in tongues and praying with understanding. You might begin your prayer time in tongues, allowing the Spirit to intercede through you for needs you're not even conscious of, then transition to specific petitions in your native language. Or you might use tongues during worship, when words feel inadequate to express your adoration.

I've found tongues particularly helpful during times of crisis when I don't know how to pray. When a friend's child was diagnosed with leukemia, I sat in the hospital chapel, overwhelmed by the weight of the situation. Words failed me. But I could pray in tongues, trusting that the Spirit was interceding with "groanings too deep for words," as Paul puts it in Romans 8.

Some people pray in tongues while driving (eyes open, please), doing household chores, or taking walks. It becomes a way of maintaining spiritual connection throughout the day, like a monk practicing the presence of God. Others reserve it for dedicated prayer times. There's no right or wrong approach—find what works for your personality and life circumstances.

Theological Controversies and Denominational Perspectives

We can't discuss tongues without acknowledging the significant theological divisions it creates. Cessationists argue that tongues, along with other "sign gifts," ceased with the completion of the biblical canon or the death of the apostles. They point to 1 Corinthians 13:8, which says tongues will cease, though they debate whether this refers to the present age or the eternal state.

Continuationists counter that Scripture nowhere explicitly states that spiritual gifts would cease before Christ's return. They argue that church history, while showing periods where tongues were less prominent, never demonstrates a complete absence of the gift. The burden of proof, they contend, lies on those who claim God has withdrawn gifts he once gave freely.

Even among those who accept the validity of contemporary tongues, debates rage. Should tongues be normative for all believers? Is it the evidence of Spirit baptism or merely one possible evidence? Should tongues be practiced in public worship, and if so, under what conditions? These aren't merely academic questions—they've split churches and denominations.

The Catholic Church's position is particularly nuanced. While officially open to charismatic gifts including tongues, the Church emphasizes that such gifts must be exercised within the bounds of ecclesial authority and in ways that build up the body of Christ. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal, approved by successive popes, has brought tongues-speaking into the heart of Catholicism while maintaining distinctly Catholic theological frameworks.

Personal Transformation and Spiritual Growth

Beyond the theological debates, those who practice tongues consistently report profound personal benefits. Many describe a deepened sense of intimacy with God, as if praying in tongues bypasses the filters and pretenses that often characterize our regular prayers. There's something about praying in a language your mind doesn't understand that forces a kind of spiritual vulnerability.

I've also noticed that regular tongues-speakers often develop greater sensitivity to spiritual promptings in other areas. It's as if learning to yield control in this one area makes it easier to recognize and respond to the Spirit's leading elsewhere. This might explain why Pentecostal and Charismatic churches, despite their theological differences with other traditions, often demonstrate remarkable faith for healing, provision, and miraculous intervention.

But let's be honest about the potential pitfalls too. Some people become so enamored with tongues that they neglect other spiritual disciplines. They substitute emotional experiences for the hard work of character development. They judge other believers who don't speak in tongues as spiritually inferior. Paul warned against exactly this kind of spiritual pride in his Corinthian correspondence.

Practical Advice for Different Contexts

If you're in a Pentecostal or Charismatic church, you'll likely find plenty of support for developing this gift. The challenge might be avoiding the pressure to conform to specific expectations about how tongues should manifest. Remember that your experience with God is unique; don't let others' experiences become a straitjacket for your own.

For those in non-Charismatic churches, the path is trickier. You might need to seek out interdenominational prayer groups or Charismatic fellowships to find others who can mentor you. Be sensitive about practicing tongues in your home church if it's not part of their tradition. This isn't about hiding your light under a bushel, but about Paul's principle of doing everything for the building up of the body.

If you're exploring tongues independently, without a church community, I'd encourage you to find at least one or two mature believers who can provide guidance and accountability. Spiritual gifts are meant to be exercised in community, not in isolation. Online communities can provide some support, but they're no substitute for face-to-face relationships with people who can observe your spiritual fruit over time.

Moving Forward in Faith

Ultimately, praying in tongues is about relationship, not performance. It's one way among many that believers commune with God. If you feel called to explore this gift, pursue it with both eagerness and wisdom. If you don't feel so called, don't let anyone make you feel like a second-class Christian. The Spirit distributes gifts as he wills, and the greatest gift remains love.

For those who do speak in tongues, remember Paul's admonition to pursue love above all spiritual gifts. Tongues without love is just noise. But tongues expressed in love—whether in private devotion or appropriate corporate settings—can be a powerful means of grace, building up both the speaker and, when interpreted, the entire body of Christ.

The journey into glossolalia isn't for everyone, and that's perfectly fine. But for those who sense the Spirit's invitation into this form of prayer, it can open dimensions of spiritual experience that enrich and deepen faith in unexpected ways. Like any spiritual discipline, it requires patience, humility, and a willingness to appear foolish. But then again, hasn't following Christ always demanded as much?

Authoritative Sources:

Anderson, Allan. An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity. Cambridge University Press, 2004.

Cartledge, Mark J. Charismatic Glossolalia: An Empirical-Theological Study. Ashgate Publishing, 2002.

Fee, Gordon D. God's Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul. Hendrickson Publishers, 1994.

Keener, Craig S. Gift and Giver: The Holy Spirit for Today. Baker Academic, 2001.

MacArthur, John. Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit with Counterfeit Worship. Thomas Nelson, 2013.

McGrath, Alister E. Christian Theology: An Introduction. 6th ed., Wiley-Blackwell, 2016.

Samarin, William J. Tongues of Men and Angels: The Religious Language of Pentecostalism. Macmillan, 1972.

Turner, Max. The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts: In the New Testament Church and Today. Revised ed., Hendrickson Publishers, 1998.