Why do you pray in tongues?

Answer 1

Some religions believe that they have the power to speak in tongues which no one but God can understand. This is what is called Priestcraft. There are two ways which are acceptable to God and both are gifts from Him called The Gift of Tongues where a person may be gifted to be able to speak in the language of a people when he has never been able to do so before. When he has delivered his message the gift leaves him.. The other is when a message is being given in the speakes own tongue, the listeners hear him in their own language.

Any other way of Speaking in Tongues is of Satan, and usually comes out of the speakers mouth as gibberish, which not even God can understand.

Answer 2

'Speaking in tongues' usually means speaking in what appears to be an entirely unknown language, supposedly as evidence of the Holy Spirit, since no human can really understand what is being said.

The Apostle Paul was dismissive of those who claimed to speak in tongues, although he was not prepared to alienate those who claimed this ability. He indicated a preference for prophecy, since this at least might be useful. In 1 Corinthians 14:4, Paul says "Whoever speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but whoever prophesies builds up the church." He then goes on to explain what he sees as the futility of speaking in tongues, summarising this in verse 19: "but in the church I would rather speak five words with my mind, so as to instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue."