As a believer, you can pray in tongues audibly or silently. Understanding this gift’s power is crucial in your daily life. While some prefer to speak out loud, it’s not always appropriate in certain situations. You might wonder, can you pray in tongues silently? The answer is yes! Let’s explore how.
Can You Pray in Tongues Silently?
Yes, you can pray silently in tongues. You can either move your tongue without making any noise or pray entirely in your mind with your spirit. It takes practice to pray in tongues silently, but it’s essential to know that when you pray in the Spirit, it’s your spirit praying, not your mind.
While speaking out loud is how I prefer to pray, it’s inappropriate in some everyday situations. So, learning to pray in the Spirit in your mind without speaking out loud has a huge advantage.
How to Pray in Tongues Silently
There are two ways to pray silently in tongues. First, you can move your tongue without noise or air coming out. Second, you can pray entirely in your mind and spirit without moving your mouth or tongue. It takes practice, but the more you pray, the easier it gets.
Pray silently, moving your tongue. | Pray in tongues in your mind without moving your mouth |
You are praying in tongues the way you usually would, only letting very little air, if any, escape your mouth. | When you pray in tongues silently in your head, you are praying the exact words and syllables Holy Spirit would typically lead you to use, but you are not moving your lips, tongue, or your mouth. |
Think of it like lip-syncing, when a person moves their mouth to the words of a song, but nothing can be heard from their voice. It’s very similar. | It’s a way to do it where no one knows. It’s sort of in your head or your mind–but it’s your spirit. So it’s not intellectual thinking if that makes sense? When you pray in tongues, your spirit prays in the Holy Spirit. |
Praying silently like this is an effective way to pray in corporate church settings when it wouldn’t be appropriate to pray out loud. | When I do it now, I hear the syllables in my mind, but I feel them come from my chest and sometimes my belly. |
It’s also a great way to practice the second method. | You have a unique and separate spirit from the Holy Spirit in that sense. Your spirit man can speak without any sound from your body. |
Practice praying in tongues out loud and then practice silently.
I went many years without praying silently in this way because I didn’t think it was possible. However, I’ve been in so many situations where I’ve needed to pray, but it would have been inappropriate, and I’ve developed the ability to do it silently.
It initially felt strange and awkward, but it has come more naturally to me.
Can you pray in tongues anytime?
As a believer, you can pray in tongues anytime, anywhere. It’s not limited to specific places or times. For example, you can speak in tongues during your devotional prayer time, while driving, or even during everyday activities.
Praying in tongues can happen anytime, but the gift of tongues cannot. The tongues mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14:2 is the type of prayer for personal edification.
Your prayer language is available to you to pray in and speak the mysteries of God–the perfect will of the Father–anytime and at will. It’s genuinely as the Spirit gives you utterance. Still, it doesn’t always come naturally (even after receiving your prayer language) and is a muscle that needs to be exercised and practiced.
The more often you pray in the Spirit, the more accessible and natural it will become.
Speaking in tongues is not just a one-time experience but a continual practice that can strengthen your relationship with God. The more you speak in tongues, the more you become sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and the deeper your prayer life becomes.
Differences: Praying in Tongues vs. Gift of Tongues
Scripture explains the difference between the Gift of Tongues and praying (or speaking) in tongues:
- Not all believers have The Gift of Tongues – 1 Cor. 12:7-30
- All believers can pray in tongues after the baptism of the Holy Spirit – 1 Cor. 14, Acts 2:4, Mk. 16:17, Acts 19:6
Praying in Tongues | Bible Verse | vs | The Gift of Tongues | Bible Verse |
Can pray in tongues anytime in faith & at will. | 1 Cor. 14:18: I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all. | vs | The spiritual gifts mentioned in this verse are for the profit of the body, the church. The gifts in this verse are given to build up the church. Not for personal gain or edification. | 1 Cor. 12:7: The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each for the profit of all: |
Baptism of Holy Spirit gives all believers the ability to pray in tongues as their private prayer language | Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” | vs | Holy Spirit gives each gift as he decides. | 1 Cor. 12:8-10: for to one is given the word of wisdom…to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues… |
A sign of a believer after putting their faith in Jesus and being baptized with the Spirit. | Mk. 16:17: These signs will follow those who believe…they will speak with new tongues. | vs | Paul distinguishes that the gifts of the Spirit are distinct and different people get different gifts. | 1 Cor. 12:11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. |
Again, another instance of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This time, they received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues through Pauls’s prayers. | Acts 19:6: And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying | vs | Similar to the 5-fold ministry mentioned in this verse, not all have the public gift of “various” tongues. | 1 Cor. 12:28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. |
Speaking in tongues as a prayer language is speaking directly to God. We declare the mysteries of God. | 1 Cor. 14:2: For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him…but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. | vs | He asks a rhetorical question: Do all speak with tongues? This is in the context of laying the foundation that there are a variety of spiritual gifts, and each believer has a specific gift as the Holy Spirit wills. The gift of tongues is a spiritual gift that not all believers have. | 1 Cor. 12:30: Do all speak with tongues? |
Praying in tounges as a prayer language builds up and strengthens us. It does not benefit the church when gathered together, like prophesy does, unless the person prays that he can interpret. | 1 Cor. 14:4: The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. | vs | A person with the spiritual gift of tongues may speak so long as he can interpret, or someone else is present who can. | 1 Cor. 14:26: What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. |
If Pauls speaking in tongues was limited to the public spiritual gift of tongues, why is he giving us the impression that he prays in tongues frequently? He is referring to his private prayer language. Not the public use of the gift of tongues. The Spirit gives utterance as you use your will to open your mouth in faith. | 1 Cor. 14:18 – “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.” | vs | Believers can exercise control over prophesy the same way they can with tongues. Some argue that tongues are only when there is an inspiration and a move of the Holy Spirit. This is true somewhat with the Spiritual Gift of tongues but not with tongues as a prayer language. | If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent..prophesy one by one…and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. |
When to Pray in Tongues Silently?
It’s best to pray in tongues silently in public settings where you don’t want to bother other people. For example, during quiet times in a worship service or secular environments like work offices, it’s best to keep your prayers silent to avoid distractions.
Do everything out of love. The second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves and to treat them as such.
You need to learn how to read the situation and act out of respect for others when you would offend someone or freak out an unbeliever.
Are you in a busy public place or a secular work environment?
Then do not pray in tongues out loud. Don’t freak unbelievers out. Pray silently unless you can mumble under your breath, quietly enough not to be heard or to be a bother to anyone.
- Pray silently in your mind instead. You might look weird moving your lips, and whether that bothers you is up to you. You can pray silently, depending on what the situation calls for.
- Don’t freak unbelievers out. They don’t understand it, and if you freak them out, you might ruin your witness to them as a Christian or another believer’s witness to them.
Are you in a church service, and the time of loud worship and praise has ended?
Sometimes during worship, praying in tongues out loud is perfectly fine. Especially if many others are and people are singing in the Spirit. Also, because you won’t be bothering anyone, it’s a public time for it.
However, you should discern when that time of public praise and worship has ended.
Has the music shifted to being soft and quiet? Then pray in tongues silently.
Has the pastor started preaching, or is there a speaker doing announcements? Then pray in tongues silently.
Are you in a church that does not believe in praying in tongues?
It’s important not to offend believers who do not believe in praying in tongues or where it’s unacceptable to do it corporately. Just because we know that it’s real and a gift for all believers–does not mean we should assert the truth God has given us over others. Follow the principles of 1 Corinthians 8.
Follow the Example of Love in 1 Corinthians 8
In 1 Cor. 8, Paul addresses the issue of food sacrificed to idols. He acknowledges that idols are not real and that only one God exists. However, he also recognizes that some people may have a weaker conscience and may still view eating such food as participating in idol worship.
Paul emphasizes the importance of considering others’ needs and being mindful that certain actions may cause harm or distress. He encourages us to take a moment and pause, understanding our choices can have an impact on others around us.
“Knowledge puffs up but love builds up.” – 1 Cor. 8:1
He stresses the importance of love over knowledge – for a while, knowledge may boost one’s ego, but true strength comes from love, is meek, and serves others over self. Love follows the second greatest commandment.
1 Corinthians 8 & Speaking in Tongues Paraphrased
I have paraphrased the verses and changed the topic to tongues.
Let’s consider the issue of praying in tongues. It’s important to understand that possessing knowledge alone about the matter can lead us to become proud, but love can build us up. While some of us know about praying in tongues, we must recognize that there is still much to learn.
We know that praying in tongues is a gift from the Holy Spirit, and it’s for our benefit, but not everyone has this same knowledge.
Some may still struggle with praying in tongues due to their lack of experience, and their faith may be weak. We should be mindful not to cause them to stumble or damage their faith.
Although we have the right to pray in tongues, we must consider how our actions may affect those weaker in faith. If our knowledge of praying in tongues causes a weaker brother or sister to stumble, then we have sinned against them and against Christ.
Therefore, if our praying in tongues causes our brother or sister to stumble, we should be willing to abstain from it to prevent them from falling. Let us always act in love and compassion towards our fellow believers, considering their faith and spiritual journey.
The Aim of Our Charge is to Love
As 1 Timothy 1:5 says, “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a sincere faith.”
You should pray silently when you have the chance of offending someone, bothering them, or causing unbelievers to think you are a little whacky (which can damage the reputation of Christ and His worldwide church–regardless of denomination or affiliation.) We do not want to damage His name. We want to bring him glory and honor. We want others to recognize us for our love for Him and each other.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but have not to love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Cor. 13 ESV)
Love is the goal of our faith. If we love Jesus, we follow His commandments, and he teaches us to love our neighbor as ourselves in Mark 12:31. This is the second greatest commandment aside from loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Loving our neighbor is the second most important thing Jesus tells us in scripture.
When you pray in tongues, you should love and respect the people around you.
Corporate Praying & Singing in the Spirit
I love worship services where we all pray in tongues together. We do this often at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. Nearly every prayer set has a time devoted to singing and praying in the Spirit together.
The unity that can happen as we all declare the mysteries of God at the same time is astounding. It often ushers us into the Glory and an increased tangible nearness to God–that can be felt. At times, it’s like being in heaven itself.
Power in the Tongue: Our Spoken Words Have Authority
I believe that it’s better to pray in the Spirit out loud. Especially when under a spiritual attack of fear or other warfare. Praying silently in tongues is very effective, but there are times of warfare when we need to pray boldly and loudly.
It just important that we do it privately or in the appropriate place and in a way that respects others.
The Bible states that life and death are in the power of the tongue.
Prophets in the Bible, like Samuel the Priest, Elijah, and Elisha had authority on their words. When we’re anointed through the baptism of the Holy Spirit and pray in tongues, our spoken words have power.
Samuels’s words carried so much authority that no one “fell to the ground.” Everything he spoke happened.
Bible Verses on the Authority of Our Words
Commentary | Verse | Scripture |
---|---|---|
The Word of God is powerful and is likened to a sword. Similarly, when we pray in tongues, we declare the mysteries of God. | Hebrews 4:12 (shortened) | For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit…. |
God is present when his people praise him verbally. | Psalm 22:3 | Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. |
Speaking and singing are powerful ways to praise God. | Psalm 30:4 | Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. |
God spoke creation into existence. | Genesis 1:3 | And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. |
Jesus taught that speaking to a mountain can move. This is prayer combined with faith. | Mark 11:23-24 (shortened) | Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’…whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” |
Jesus spoke to a fig tree and it withered. | Mark 11:14, 20-21 (shortened) | “And he said to it, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ …the fig tree withered away to its roots.” |
Our prayers have greater power when spoken out loud, but silent prayers are also effective. Like Hannah, she was barren and desperate for a child; she went to the altar to pray and sobbed, moving her lips silently. That silent prayer was answered, and the prophet Samuel was born.
Can You Pray in the Spirit Without Speaking?
Yes, you can pray in the Spirit without speaking out loud. Praying in your mind and spirit is an effective way to communicate with God when you don’t want to disturb others or when it’s not appropriate to speak out loud.
Can You Pray in Tongues in Your Head and Mind?
Yes, you can pray in tongues in your head and mind. It’s an effective way to pray silently without making any noise. It takes practice to get into the flow of the Spirit, but it’s a useful tool for prayer.
Is ‘Stammering Lips’ Speaking in Tongues?
“Stammering lips” mentioned in Isaiag 28:11 is not referencing speaking in tongues. “Stammering” is translated from the Hebrew word: לָעֵג which means “mocking. Strongs H3934. Though a person quivering their lips in prayer or worship could happen, not related to this verse.
Resources
Kenneth Hagin Book: Tongues: Beyond the Upper Room (direct PDF link)