Definition: For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Corinthians 14:14. It’s a really important and slightly tricky one, so let's go through it step-by-step: The Basic Idea: This verse is about faith and communication – particularly when it comes to prayer. It suggests that praying in a language you don’t fully understand won’t actually do anything. Let’s unpack it word by word: “For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue…” - This is the key part. “Unknown” means the language isn’t familiar to you. It's a bit awkward, and it implies something is different from your regular speaking. “…my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.” – This is where the real meaning comes in. "Spirit prayeth" means praying with your heart and faith. “Understanding is unfruitful” means you're not getting any good results or benefits from praying. It’s like trying to build a house without a blueprint. So, what does it all mean? Basically, the verse is saying that prayer isn't effective if it's not communicated clearly and thoughtfully. It’s suggesting that: Authentic prayer requires understanding: When you pray with a clear mind, your heart is engaged, and you truly want to connect with God. Vague or poorly expressed prayers are useless: Simply saying something without thinking about it won't produce the desired outcome – whether that’s moving God’s will, receiving healing, or gaining peace. Why does Paul say this? Paul was dealing with a situation where people were praying in different languages at church. He wanted to encourage believers to focus on genuine prayer – prayer rooted in faith and love – rather than just relying on language that doesn’t fully express what you're feeling. He wasn’t saying it’s impossible to pray, but that the method itself is flawed. In short: Don't just pray; pray with a clear mind and genuine heart! --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you some examples of how to pray more effectively?