We are glad to join you in prayer for the gift of tongues, but let's first understand the purpose and the biblical context of this spiritual gift as mentioned in First Corinthians. In First Corinthians chapter 14 verse 4 of the World English Bible, it says "He who speaks in a unknown language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly." The Chapter as a whole shows that prophecy has a much more critical role than tongues. Glossolalia, aka Tongues, is the ability to speak in a language that the speaker has never learned, It is different from Xenoglossy, where one speaks in a language that is known but not known by the speaker. Tongues can be viewed as a language of men or angels and is only useful if interpreted because it does not edify any other hearers unless it is interpreted. " But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what will I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching? Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn't give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war? So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning. If then I don't know the meaning of the sound, I would be a foreigner to him who speaks; and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the edifying of the assembly. Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn't know what you say? For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not edified. I thank my God, I speak with other tongues more than you all. However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language. Brothers, don't be children in these things. In malice be babies, but in your thinking be mature. In the law it is written, "By people of other languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. Not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord." Therefore other tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe. If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other tongues, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won't they say that you are crazy? But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and judged by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed. What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up. If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God." (1 Cor 14:6-28 WEB). Let all things be done decently and in order (1 Cor 14:40 WEB).
Paul, in his advice to his spiritual son, Timothy, referring to his teachings, "But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from which ones you have learned them. From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise to salvation, through the faith which is in Christ Jesus. Every writing inspired by God is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness; that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work(2 Tim 3:14-17 WEB)." Let's seek God's will together for you in Jesus' name.
Let us pray.
"Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You, lifting up our brother/sister in Christ who desires the gift of tongues. We ask, Lord, that You grant a greater manifestation of Your Holy Spirit in his/her life, according to Your will. Help him to be a more edifying member to the church body and to the world. Remind him that speaking in tongues is not meant to draw attention to ourselves but to glorify You and edify the church. Guide him to the whole counsel of your word. Lord, if it be Your will, grant him the ability to interpret if You grant the gift of tongues to him. May his/her life reflect the fruits of the Spirit, and may all spiritual gifts be exercised in love and humility and according to your word.
Lord Jesus, we also ask that you show him the importance of praying in your name. It is only by your name that we have access to God. May he always remember his baptism and the significance of being saved by your name. For there is no other name by which we can be saved. "It is in the name of Jesus that every knee should bow, of things in heaven, things on earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:10-11 WEB)."
In Jesus Christ's name, we pray. Amen."
Let us always remember Paul's instruction to the Corinthians as a whole the gifts of the spirit and how they should be used for the common good, "Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly. Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up (1 Cor 14:1-5 WEB)."