Is there such a thing as a heavenly prayer language?

To those in the Charismatic and Pentecostal communities, the question is a no-brainer. They are convinced there is a heavenly language spoken of in the Bible. If so, where would one find this language? In 1 Corinthians 13 and 14. 

In 1 Corinthians 13:1 we read, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels..." Now, when Paul says he speaks with the tongues of angels, is he speaking literally or figuratively? It would have to be figuratively. Every time an angel spoke in the Bible, they spoke in the language of the people they were talking to - not in some "angel talk". Yet many have determined that speaking with the tongues of angels is speaking in tongues. How they come to that conclusion is a mystery to me. 

Are there two different gifts of tongues in the Bible?

The reason I present this question is because there are those that believe and teach there are two types of tongues in scripture - one for the Church in public use that requires interpretation (not translation in the Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches),  and one for private use (which requires no interpretation because it is between the speaker and God alone).  Why is this so? I believe because of a misunderstanding of what Paul is describing in 1 Corinthians 14. In verses 18 and 19 Paul says, "I thank God I speak in tongues more than all of you. Yet in the Church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue." 

There is no account in scripture where Paul spoke in tongues. But we know he did because he tells the Church at Corinth so. But Paul says something interesting. He says he rather speak only a few words in his native tongue to the Church so that he can instruct and edify others than ten thousand words in a tongue. Why would Paul say that? Because he understood the superiority of edifying the Church than edifying one's self  by speaking in a foreign tongue that no one could understand, not even him (1 Cor 14:4).

Also, this supposed "second tongue" for private prayer cannot be found in the Bible. So what is going on? Why are so many speaking in unintelligible speech and saying that is a heavenly language or tongues? They are misinterpreting 1 Cor 14:4 which reads, "He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the Church." 

What the Charismatic is saying is that when one speaks in this ecstatic speech (or what they call tongues), it is some type of esoteric prayer on a heavenly level that is a greater form of worship (some believe) than if one spoke in their native tongue to God in prayer. Also, it is a way to build one's self up in the Holy Spirit. And by the way, this gift is available to every Christian and does not need to be interpreted because it is strictly between the tongue speaker and God alone.  

Paul made it clear that anyone that spoke in a tongue were to pray that they may interpret (1 Cor 14:5,27). Now keep in mind when Paul mentions tongues, he is not talking about a heavenly language or gibberish for gibberish or non language cannot be translated because it has no meaning.

This is the difference between the tongues spoken in the assembly vs the one spoken privately in one's prayer closet. I grew up in the Charismatic movement from the age of 13-24, and I have never witnessed a genuine manifestation of the gift of language and an interpretation of that foreign language. 

All I experienced and practiced were the current counterfeit manifestations.  

What about using tongues as a means of spiritual warfare?

One of the main passages used for tongues as a means of  wrestling against the unseen forces of evil in heavenly places is Ephesians 6:18, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching for this purpose with all perseverance for all saints".

The phrase "In the Spirit" is the what Charismatics believe is the phrase that justifies them engaging in what I believe is a foolish practice at best, and perhaps a demonic practice at the worst. Why do I say demonic? Because there are pagan groups like Tibetan monks and foreign tribes that chant in unknown tongues that are not of the Spirit of God. The genuine gift of tongues was always human languages not known by the speaker but understood by the hearers as witnessed on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. The phrase "In the Spirit" simply means by the leading of the Holy Spirit, not uttering ecstatic speech as a means of spiritual warfare.

Other passages used to justify what they believe is spiritual warfare are: Romans 8:26 and Jude 1:20.

Conclusion

There are ongoing debates regarding whether the Biblical gift of  tongues has ceased or is operative today. What I am arguing is there is no such thing as a personal private heavenly language to build one's self up. There is a great divide regarding this matter also. Those that practice this ecstatic speech are considered the "haves", and those who do not are the "have-nots" spiritually speaking.

I fall into the latter group.

Speaking in the Biblical gift of tongues was never a weapon to fight demons and fallen angels, nor was it used as a personal prayer language. The gift was manifested to advance the kingdom of God, to magnify God and his power (Acts 2:11;10:46;19:6), and it was a sign of judgment to the unbeliever (in particular unbelieving Israel, 1 Cor 14:21-22). To see how it was a sign of judgment to Israel one has to travel back to the book of Isaiah 28.