I believe God has given me an effective ministry in Jewish evangelism because of my faithfulness in praying in tongues.
If you had X-ray vision and looked inside yourself, would you see a gigantic spirit?
Paul understood how to develop his spirit. He said in 1 Corinthians 14:18, “I thank my God that I speak in tongues more than you all.”
The man God used to write most of the New Testament spoke in tongues more than any other believer. Why? He wanted to be led by the Spirit, not the flesh.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14). Paul also realized that speaking in tongues edified his spirit man. “He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself” (1 Cor. 14:4). The word “edify” in the dictionary means to build or increase. And the meaning in Greek is best understood as charging up a dead car battery!
I was saved in the 1970s during the charismatic renewal movement. Jonathan Bernis, now head of Jewish Voice Ministries International, and I would pray together in tongues for hours. I do not believe he or I would have such large Jewish ministries today if we had not prayed in the Spirit!
We literally prophesied our future. 1 Corinthians 14:2 says, “For he who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to men, but to God. For no one understands him, although in the spirit, he speaks mysteries.” By praying in unknown tongues, we prayed the mysteries of our future with 100 percent faith. These prayers were perfect because they came from God. And since it was “unknown” tongues, the devil did not know how to try to abort God’s plan!
Your very life could be dependent on praying in the Spirit. When I pray in tongues, I release angels to thwart the schemes of the devil. My mind may not know what the devil has planned, but the Spirit of God in me does! I am convinced I was able to lead my Orthodox Jewish father into the kingdom on his deathbed because of praying in tongues.
A voice from heaven is shouting, “I desire that you all speak in tongues” (1 Cor. 14:5). You are meshuga (Hebrew for “crazy”) if you do not pray in tongues at least one hour a day! Don’t be meshuga! — Sid Roth
