Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26).

In Acts 2, the apostles, along with the other disciples of Jesus, were gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem during the Feast of Pentecost. Then something remarkable happened: they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Some of those present made a joke of it and derisively said they were simply drunk and full of intoxicating wine. But the truth is, they were making spiritual incantations. What exactly were they saying?

To the mockers, these disciples were only “stammering,” just as the Prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 28:11, “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.” It was the best way Isaiah could relate with or interpret this awesome blessing of the New Testament. They knew nothing about this in the Old Testament.

In Isaiah’s visions, he might have heard some kinds of stuttering or something similar to a speech disorder—a disorder involving hesitations and involuntary repetitions of certain sounds—revealed to him in the Spirit. But Paul had a greater insight and tells us that through those “stammerings” or “stutterings,” we speak the wisdom of God in esoteric language (1 Corinthians 2:7).

In other words, the Holy Spirit orchestrated the utterances given to us, which we speak in tongues; therefore, they’re not mere involuntary recitations or repetitions; these are incantations. Incantations are ritual recitations of words or sounds with supernatural effect, synonymous with conjuration. This is what we do when we speak in tongues.

While praying, you may find yourself repeating just one syllable; continue. You’re making incantations of the Spirit; you’re speaking forth God’s plans in words and sounds orchestrated by the Holy Spirit that’ll change things and your life forever

LEARN MORE ABOUT INCANTATIONS — CODED WORDS OF THE SPIRIT