speaking in tongues

A friend of mine was recently told that “THE ONLY REAL WAY TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD WAS THROUGH PRAYING IN TONGUES DAILY AND THEN HAVING FAITH THAT GOD WILL INTERPRET WHAT YOU ARE PRAYING ABOUT” as stated by a particular Christian self help book. He did not necessarily agree with this and wanted my opinion. This was my response. Please read it and leave a response. I’d like to see what people think.

I don't necessarily agree with that either. Praying in tongues can be a great way to build up your spirit, because it's a direct interaction with the spiritual realm, so in a sense it's a little miracle every time you do it (ref. to verse bellow). So if you do it every day will grow spiritually speaking, and in faith, and that of course means you will in turn come closer to God.

1 Corinthians 14:2-28 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

2For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.[b] 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

However, to say that you have to do it every day and that's the only way is like saying the only way to get fit is going for a 20 minute Jog everyday. They didn't even have tongs till the new testament, so does that mean that Mosses wasn't close to God, or Daniel, or David, or Elijah, or Elisha, or Abraham?

God is just as interested in the problems you know you are dealing with as he is the problems you don't know you have, which makes our word prayers just as important as tongues. The two major ways to get to know God are Prayer and the Bible. The bible is the Word of God. Jesus is also referred to as the Word.

God is looking to have his kids grow into spiritual adults, not just have a bunch of spiritual babies running around screaming at him for all eternity. He Calls himself our farther and friend, and we should approach him as such.

Sorry about getting long winded. You know I get emotional about this stuff.