The power of words

Words are not only our sharpest weapons, they can also be an incredible treasure for our fellow human beings. With words we can encourage, comfort and soothe pain. Since words can be so powerful, both positively and negatively, we should always remember that our language never reflects subjective reality. No matter whether we are describing a sunset or our boss's new car - our personal perception always flows into this description. The Bible confirms this thesis by emphasizing the human heart and not our eloquence (cf. Luke 16:15). At the same time, however, the Bible also says that it is precisely this human heart that interacts with our language, for "what the heart is filled with, the mouth speaks out" (cf. Luke 6:45).

Unfortunately, this "heart to mouth" cycle can be destructive. Because even when we are authentic and reveal our deepest feelings to God, we often desire things that would destroy us. For example, the prophet Elijah practically asks God to kill him in prayer (cf. 1 Kings 19:4). At that moment, Elijah probably found his situation so unbearable that he would have seen it as salvation to die. But God still had plans for him.

So how can we deal with such situations? When what our heart is filled with is not worship or joy, but bitterness, discord or resignation? How can we make our mouths say positive things even when our hearts are broken? For this we need the Holy Spirit, because as humans we will always speak out what we feel, that is, what is in our heart at that moment. But the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we do not know how to pray (cf. Romans 8:26). This groaning of the Holy Spirit is the substantive mediation between God and the person praying.

And how does prayer inspired by the Holy Spirit differ from praying in tongues? Praying in tongues specifically means praying in a Spirit-inspired, new, previously unfamiliar language (see Acts 10:46). However, it is important to note that it is not the speaking of this new language, the form so to speak, that is decisive. All prayers to God can be inspired by the Spirit if they are based on the Holy Spirit in terms of content, for example in the form of a prayer request. Hannah, the later mother of the prophet Samuel, for example, spoke a Spirit-inspired prayer when she prayed for a child, which God also provided for in his plan (cf. 1 Samuel 1:13).

Prayer in tongues is a wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit that complements a church with other gifts (1 Corinthians 14:26) and becomes valuable when we share the prophecies received in it with others (1 Corinthians 14:13). What is important for any form of prayer, however, is that it is not about the new language, but about the content of the prayer being inspired by the Spirit.

Next Step: According to the Bible, my heart is important, but we need God's help for our prayers. What does your prayer life look like? Do you actively ask the Holy Spirit for help?