Therefore let the one who speaks in a tongue pray
that they might interpret.
For if I pray in a tongue
my spirit prays,
but my mind is fruitless.
So what is it?
I will pray in (my) spirit,
so also I will pray with (my) mind.
I will sing in (my) spirit,
so also I will sing with (my) mind.
Otherwise if you are blessing in spirit,
the [one who fills the place of the (seeker)] –
how can they say the Amen to your thanksgiving,
– when they do not know what you are saying?
For you bless beautifully,
but the other one is not strengthened.
I thank God
that I speak in tongues more (often) than all of you.
But
in church
I would rather speak five words with my mind,
so that I might also instruct others
than thousands of words in a tongue.
Lord God,
you feed us with the living bread from heaven;
you renew our faith,
increase our hope,
and strengthen our love.
Teach us to hunger
for Christ who is the true and living bread,
and to live by every word
that comes from your mouth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.