The Three Critical Stages of Praying in Tongues

There are three main stages to praying in tongues. Once all three are well mastered, the gift of praying in tongues becomes very impactful in a believer’s life. From observation, most people who struggle with praying in tongues usually face challenges in at least one of these three areas.

In this teaching, I want to explain what these three stages are and why they are critical in unlocking the power of speaking in tongues.  

1. Receiving the Gift of Praying in Tongues

There is nothing as difficult and at the same time nothing as easy as receiving the gift of praying in tongues. This may sound contradictory, but I have noticed that people generally fall into two groups.

Some believers find receiving the gift extremely easy. For them, it happens so naturally that they struggle to explain it to others. When asked how they received it, they may simply say, “Just ask God,” or “Just start praying.” To someone who is struggling, this can sound dismissive, but for them, it’s just that simple.

On the other hand, some believers find receiving the gift to be very difficult. They may pray and fast, have hands laid on them, and try many different approaches, yet still struggle to receive the gift. Ultimately, through perseverance and faith, they finally receive the gift.

2. Dealing With Dry Tongues

The second critical stage after receiving the gift of speaking in tongues is dealing with dry tongues. It is quite common for believers to experience moments where tongues lack flow and feel somewhat forced.

Those who grow strong and effective in praying in tongues are usually those who keep pushing even when their tongues are not charged up. There is no way around it; dryness during prayer must be confronted and overcome.

While others do their best to continue praying even when their tongues feel dry, others assume that God is no longer with them, or that they are forcing the prayer, and as a result, they stop praying in tongues altogether.

This is where many people lose momentum in the gift.

3. Receiving from God While Praying in Tongues

The third important stage is receiving from God while praying in tongues. Praying in tongues is still prayer, and prayer naturally involves impartation from God.

When you pray in tongues, the Lord edifies you and deposits spiritual gifts in you.

While this is the case, you may have noticed that there are believers who pray in tongues and consistently receive from God, and others who pray but seem to receive nothing.

This raises an important question: Why do some receive while others do not, even though the same Holy Spirit leads the prayer?

The Power Behind All Three Stages: Faith

The answer lies in faith. Hebrews 11:6 makes it clear that it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who comes to God must believe that He is.

You simply cannot separate faith from anything that involves God. Since praying in tongues is a gift from God, receiving it requires faith. Continuing to pray even when tongues feel dry also requires faith.

Receiving instruction, revelation, and blessings while praying in tongues equally depends on faith.

People with strong faith often find it easier to receive the gift, to persevere through moments of discouragement, and to receive from God while praying. Those with weaker faith tend to struggle in all the three areas.

Growing Faith in Praying in Tongues

So, how do you grow your faith? In Luke 17:5, the disciples asked Jesus a similar question, and His response seemed simple but profound. He said that if they had faith the size of a mustard seed, they could move mountains.

What Jesus was emphasizing is that even small faith is still faith. Once you understand this, your small faith becomes powerful.

So instead of questioning whether you have received the gift, believe that you have. Instead of doubting whether dry tongues have any impact, believe that they do. Instead of questioning whether revelation comes through praying in tongues, believe that it does.

When you choose faith over doubt, you will begin to experience the true power of praying in tongues, and that power will transform your life.

God bless you!