That being said Romans 11:29is always a challenge before us
“for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable (never withdrawn)”
Satan has the power he has because when God created him as Lucifer, a powerful angel of God given freewill which he chose to use to rebel against God. He gave him certain gifts that even those he has not taken from him…fortunately God did not give Satan dominion over the earth, man did and God was able to take that back.
The gifts are to be used for God’s purposes but can be misused
1 Corinthians 12:4,7
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all…. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.
I want to start with the “least” of the gifts because generally speaking tongues can be the cause of the greatest division when people talk about the gifts…
1 Corinthians 14:4 “The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself,” (ESV)
Kowloon Walled City BBC Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JchVQMuxRVA
Another Documentary done by another group called Jackie Pullinger – The law of love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0QfoluAZ44
So what is this tongues and prayer language thing I’m talking about
1 Corinthians 12:7-11
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
1 Corinthians 14:1-5
Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. 2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. 3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. 4 A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.
5 I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy.
Romans 8:26,27
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
I have seen primarily there are two ways people respond to asking for a prayer language.
“If God wants to give me one I’m open but no one’s going to make me say anything!”
Two scriptures come to mind Isaiah 55:8,9
My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29
Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
The other response I have seen is people coming hungry, saying God I don’t fully understand this but if this is a gift you have for me then I want it
If we pray in tongues, I believe it prepares us to move in the other gifts more easily.
I believe anyone who wants all that God has for them should begin seeking the gift of tongues…does everyone receive it? Apparently not…
1 Corinthians 12:29-31
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 14:18
“I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you”
I mentioned Jackie Pullinger earlier…
Jackie Pullinger said. She found it embarrassing. She had been in Hong Kong for two years with no good results or success. She decided one day to start praying in tongues fifteen minutes a day by the clock (those were her exact words). Every day for fifteen minutes by the clock. “I felt nothing,” she said Absolutely nothing. “But that is when we began to see conversions of the addicts on the streets.” She linked the two together. And they kept increasing thereafter. I believe God honors those who will accept such a stigma.
Scriptures that may help you understand tongues better.
Mark 16:15-18, Acts 2:3,4, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 11:15, Acts 19:1-7, Romans 8:26, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 1 Corinthians 14:1-40, Jude 1:20