Private Prayer Time

[9-iron]

I have a contoversial question to ask. However, I ask that this thread not get turned into a debate.

My question is how many Baptist use the gift of tongues in your personal or private times? I'm Southern Baptist, or at least I attend a Southern Baptist church, I'm not sure they consider me full blooded Baptist.

Anyway, I rarely talk about this with other Baptist because it usually causes a big rip. However, I have noticed in the last year or so that more and more Baptist are using this gift. The churh I attend is about 225-250 or so. I have found over the years about 20-25 folks who use this gift privately. Perhaps there are more, but you don't know.

Is this gift more common than folks realize?

[novcncy]

I have a contoversial question to ask. However, I ask that this thread not get turned into a debate.

My question is how many Baptist use the gift of tongues in your personal or private times? I'm Southern Baptist, or at least I attend a Southern Baptist church, I'm not sure they consider me full blooded Baptist.

Anyway, I rarely talk about this with other Baptist because it usually causes a big rip. However, I have noticed in the last year or so that more and more Baptist are using this gift. The churh I attend is about 225-250 or so. I have found over the years about 20-25 folks who use this gift privately. Perhaps there are more, but you don't know.

Is this gift more common than folks realize?

I'll respect your request, and try not to be too argumentative. So I will ONLY answer your question:

No. I do not. I never have, and I don't suspect I ever will, publicly or privately.

[9-iron]

I'll respect your request, and try not to be too argumentative. So I will ONLY answer your question:

No. I do not. I never have, and I don't suspect I ever will, publicly or privately.

Thank you. I appreciate that. As I mentioned I attend a Southern Baptist church, always have been Southern Baptist and probably always will. I've learned to go about serving and fellowshipping within the church and not bringing the subject up.

I thought this would be a safe enough place to discuss my question. Because, honestly, I'm pretty curious as to how many Baptist have the gift and practice it regularly.

[HumbleMan]

I believe more people believe in the gifts of the Spirit than you would think. Whether it's practiced biblically or not is another matter.

I just became a member of a large SBC church (after years in the Church of God), and I would say that at least 1/4 of them probably pray in tongues, in private. I don't, not because I'm a cessationist, but because God hasn't given me the gift yet.

[9-iron]

I just became a member of a large SBC church (after years in the Church of God), and I would say that at least 1/4 of them probably pray in tongues, in private.

Good to hear. I have noticed the same thing as well. Another thing I have noticed is that people in my church who have opposed the gift are now opening up to it. Not that they are open to having it themselves, but are comfortable around folks that do.
We still don't bring it up while at church. Not in Sunday school are any place like that. Some discussion in fellowship type of gatherings. However, there are a number of folks who freely discuss it away from church. A fellow church member at work discusses it at work. After working with her for 7 years, she has finally gotten comfortable with it. It wasn't that way at first though. LOL!


I don't, not because I'm a cessationist, but because God hasn't given me the gift yet.

This the odd thing. I was pretty conservative. Then I got it. I wasn't seeking it really or anything. I was pronouncing the Hebrew Names for God and praying over the meaning of each name and went off with some language I didn't understand.
I had to find a local Pentacostal to explain what was going on. Of course my Sunday School teacher thought I had been possesed by a demon. However, the power that followed and the turn around in my life finally convinced him this was a good thing for me. LOL!!

[Richard]

Southern Baptist Speaking In Tounge ? WOW , Never heard of it. May God use your Gift to fufill His flawless plan :)

[9-iron]

Southern Baptist Speaking In Tounge ? WOW

Yeah, and I don't even fit the profile. I like Hymms and such during worship, not that I can't down to business in a progressive worship, but I prefer worshipping God with Hymms. I've loosened up, but I used to be a strong conservative Southern Baptist. Born and raised Southern Baptist.

This church I go is the same church I was born and raised in. We have recently gotten a screen and projector. Just 3-4 years ago we were still in the 70's singing out of Hymmal.

The last pastor was in the mid 40's and stayed about 8 years and really help progress the church. That and a large portion of the 70 and over crowd have either passed away or aren't able to attend church anymore.

The new pastor who has been here for a few months is only 31! We are getting younger so perhaps that explains why they are more accepting of such things.

Anyway, it is a blessing that I'm still learing and growing in.

[JPPT1974]

Thank you. I appreciate that. As I mentioned I attend a Southern Baptist church, always have been Southern Baptist and probably always will. I've learned to go about serving and fellowshipping within the church and not bringing the subject up.

I thought this would be a safe enough place to discuss my question. Because, honestly, I'm pretty curious as to how many Baptist have the gift and practice it regularly.

I do to as I try to keep to myself and worship my Lord mainly in private. I only trust my family and several close people at my church with my private time of prayer. But it should be the Lord and not us who has the final say.

[Flynmonkie]

Well I guess you would have to define "tongues"?

Foreign language for me - a little something that cannot be understood - no.

However, I will say. I have some very dear (whom I consider blessings) Christian friends that have confided that this happens to them sometimes in private. It surprised me - as that they are not the type I would expect to have told me this. <shrugging shoulders> :scratch:

But I have learned based on my experience with Gifts of the Spirit, to not question others experiences unless it completely goes against scripture. I do not believe this does- but who am I to know? Each one of us has our own private way of relating with God through prayer, and I am not one to quench the Spirit!

[9-iron]

Well I guess you would have to define "tongues"?


Well without getting into a debate I'll try to describe my experiences. When I pray, I don't understand the words, however, at times, I can feel what I'm praying. For example, I was praying for a couple who's marriage was in trouble. As I was praying I starting praying in what I call my 'prayer language'. I didn't know the exact words I was praying, but I knew I was praying for them.

The other day I was under a lot of stress and anxiety. I went and to lie down on the bed and prayed. As I was praying my mind cleared and the anxiety lifted.

Many folks seem to garner a certain 'righteousness' from the gift. Kind of like the haves and have nots. However, I've learned it is in my weak moments I use the gift. In fact, it is scriptural that the gift is for personal edification.

[arunma]

What's so controversial about the spiritual gifts? Do most Baptists believe that they ceased with the closing of the canon? I wouldn't know, since my church teaches that they still take place today (and I believe that).

But to answer the question, no I don't use any of the gifts in my private prayer time. Since Paul says that love is the greatest of the gifts, I don't personally see any need to prophesy or speak in tongues. But I am confused by one thing: Paul said that if we speak in tongues, then we should speak (and another person interpret) before the entire congregation, so that everyone can be strengthened. So why would one do it in his private prayers?

[MagusAlbertus]

Paul said that if we speak in tongues, then we should speak (and another person interpret) before the entire congregation, so that everyone can be strengthened. hum...
well, as a gift, similar to prophecy, this is how it's supposed to be used.

otherwise your spirit is just worshiping God, which isn't as good as your mind also worshiping Christ;

[9-iron]

Since Paul says that love is the greatest of the gifts, I don't personally see any need to prophesy or speak in tongues.



I was praying for a couple who's marriage was in trouble.

I prayed for them out of love, not out of gifting! The love and concern were manifested through praying for these people. You are right love is the greatest.

But I am confused by one thing: Paul said that if we speak in tongues, then we should speak (and another person interpret) before the entire congregation, so that everyone can be strengthened. So why would one do it in his private prayers?

Again, I ask that we not turn this into a debate and I can't answer your question with opening the door for debate.