Thank you for the tag @
Shimmie
I was saved for many, many years before I ever prayed in tongues. I am so glad that other sisters here have had the same experience. I feel there is a misconception that as soon as you accept Christ that you aren't "really saved" unless you immediately fall to the floor and speak in tongues. I was saved as a child and for many years, people who spoke in tongues or if I overheard somebody praying in tongues it actually frightened me because I didn't have any understanding.
Once I began to understand the differences between speaking in tongues vs praying in tongues I told God that I didn't fear praying in tongues and that if there were things that needed to be prayed that I didn't have words for or knowledge of that His Spirit could use me to speak.
I have a prayer language and that is done in my private time with the Lord. I cannot force myself to pray in tongues "on demand." One example is that one time I prayed to God and again let Him know that whenever the Spirit had something to say that my mouth was available. I stayed up and prayed and worshipped for an hour-no praying in tongues. I didn't feel bad, I just assumed that it wasn't needed at that time. The next day, sitting at my desk at work, I unexpectedy began praying in tongues (I was alone in my office). I closed the office door and continued until He was finished. I later got a call that my mother had been rushed to the ER at the time I was praying. I can't force it and can't control it.
I don't speak or prophecy or interpret tongues. Those are not my gifts, but I don't feel bad that I don't have those gifts because I have other gifts. I don't believe one gift is better than another.
It makes me very upset that Christians are made to feel bad or unholy because they don't speak in tongues because not everybody has that gift. I also don't like when people make speaking in tongues a spectacle because that brings glory to the individual, not God.
I believe all Christians can pray in tongues but it doesn't make you "less of a Christian" if you haven't done so. I didn't pray in tongues/prayer language until I was ready.
I really believe the sisters here have really provided ample information supported by scripture to address the OP's concerns and encourage her. I know many have this question (I know I did for several years!!)