In this challenging season, with spiritual forces blatantly at work in our culture and media corrupting people’s thoughts and ideas against God’s Word, we find ourselves in need of spiritual assistance and resources.

Paul, in Ephesians 6, urges us to be strong in the Lord and His power so that we may stand firm against all the strategies of the devil (Eph 6:9-11). He emphasizes the importance of “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Eph 6:18).

RIVER POWER

Among the spiritual resources provided by God is the gift of spiritual language. Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 14:1, “Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.” These words challenge us to love people and seek spiritual gifts. Paul further explains that speaking in tongues strengthens the individual (1 Cor 14:4, NLT).

Pastor Jack shares a personal anecdote about his experience in the North Platte River when he was younger. He felt the unhurried might of the current, being moved by the quiet power of the river without any effort of his own. He recalls the awe-inspiring sensation, realizing he was at the mercy of the river’s mightiness. He couldn’t control it but had to surrender to its power.

He also recounts a time during prayer when he felt a deep stirring to sing loudly in the Spirit, which he obediently did. He accompanied the soulful cry with intermittent clapping. The next morning, he understood why he had been moved by the Spirit’s stirring.

Pastor Jack recalls, “There were scores of souls brought to Christ. There was a mightiness in the message that stirred everyone beyond the usual moving of God’s grace among us.” He experienced the transformative power of the river of God.

BENEFICIAL

“I wish that you all speak in tongues” (1 Cor 14:5) is a personal message from the Holy Spirit to each of us. Speaking in a spiritual or heavenly language is an essential part of a believer’s life, enabling them to grow in their walk in the Spirit.

Pastor Jack shares his own practice of praying both “with the understanding” and “with the Spirit also,” which he discovered to have intensely practical benefits. He asserts that speaking in tongues can ignite intercession, enrich private prayer, and deepen personal worship.

Speaking in a heavenly language opens the door to an increased dimension of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The benefits are enriching and rewarding. It allows you to communicate directly with God, bypassing any interference, including your own mind and emotions. When you speak in your spiritual language, you utter mysteries—things you can’t even comprehend. This greatly enhances the content, focus, and effectiveness of your prayers.

SPIRIT PRAYER

“For one who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to people but to God; for no one understands him or catches his meaning, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries [secret truths, hidden things]” (1 Cor 14:2, AMP).

When faced with a situation we don’t comprehend or know the details of, and when we don’t know how to pray, that is the time to speak to God in our heavenly language. The Holy Spirit gives us language and prays through us directly to God. “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful” (1 Cor 14:14). We are called to join the Holy Spirit in praying to God about a situation we don’t understand, using a language we don’t comprehend. If we don’t know the right thing to pray, we can let the Holy Spirit pray through you.

Every believer is called to “receive the promise of the Father” and be “baptized in the Holy Spirit.” They should expect to speak with tongues as a commencement, marking the beginning of their “walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16, 25). This experience launches a pathway of continually being “filled with the Holy Spirit” and offering thanks always to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:18-20).

Be encouraged, dear one, to receive the blessing of speaking with tongues. Through this Holy Spirit-enabled resource, you will experience the manifold benefits that will edify your daily life. By prayerfully drawing on the Spirit’s power, you will witness the continuous flow of Jesus’ promised “rivers of living water” in your life. Embrace a life filled with supernatural ability as you pray, serve, and bear witness (John 7:37-39).

Jack Hayford Ministry Team