Praying in tongues is a spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit where a believer speaks or prays in a language unknown to them. According to Scripture (1 Corinthians 14), it’s a spirit-to-Spirit form of communication—your spirit speaking directly to God, beyond human understanding. It’s not meant to be understood by others, because it’s not directed at them. It builds up the person praying and strengthens their connection with God.
There are different types of tongues described in the Bible:
Personal prayer language – no interpretation needed, used for personal edification.
Public message in tongues – meant for the church and must be interpreted.
Sign to unbelievers – as seen in Acts 2, where people heard the wonders of God in their own languages.
While the expression of tongues can vary depending on context and culture, the Bible encourages order, discernment, and love as the foundation for any spiritual gift.