The Holy Spirit has pressed upon me to share my testimony of how I received the gift of tongues when I was writing a post on prayer. I know that many have desired this gift but have not been able to receive it.
The Lord told me to watch an episode Sid Roth did on the gift of tongues. At the end, he walks everyone through how to receive this gift. He teaches people to receive the same way someone walked me through when I previously struggled to receive this gift.
Initially, when someone asked me if I wanted to receive the gift of tongues, I was so excited because I really wanted to receive this gift. After she prayed, I waited, thinking the Holy Spirit would take over. My sister received it right away, but I did not. The lady told me, “Your head was getting in the way,” but I had no idea what she meant by that. Now I do. I sat there with my mouth closed, waiting for the Holy Spirit to take over my tongue, thinking that suddenly tongues would burst out of me. Or I thought I would hear the word in my head and then speak it out. I had no clue what to do or what to expect. Sometimes, the Lord seeks a yielded vessel to participate with him.
I wanted this gift so much, so I kept asking the Lord for it. I was at the bookstore with my mom, and she said I think you need to read a book that will help you. So I looked for a book. I found a book about the Holy Spirit. Until I read that book, I had no idea that the Holy Spirit was a distinct person who was a part of the Triune divinity of God. I thought the Holy Spirit was just a name for God’s power. The Lord wanted me to understand the Holy Spirit’s role in my life.
After reading that book, the Lord set me up with a leader on the evangelism team at my church. I was paired with him for street evangelism as an intercessor while he shared the gospel. He asked if I had received the gift of tongues. I told him I wanted it but hadn’t received it yet. He told me that was why we were paired up that day because the Lord uses him to help people receive the gift of tongues. He told me his testimony of how he got one word from the Lord. He thought he was making the word up, but he faithfully said it for three days, and finally, after three days, he received the rest of his prayer language. He told me I had to open my mouth, and the Lord would fill it. He said to pray, and one word might pop up in my spirit or mind. He said it might sound crazy, or I may think I made it up. He told me to say that word repeatedly until I got more.
It also helps to get your head out of the way when you repeatedly say one word. Then, the Holy Spirit can work with the action of your faith, and your mind is busy speaking instead of doubting. He said, “By the end of the night, you will have it. I know it.”
And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”
Mark 9:23
I followed his advice. I kept praying, and a word popped up in my head. I didn’t think it was the Holy Spirit; it came up similar to how my thoughts popped up. Little did I know back then that the Holy Spirit can impress a thought or a word upon our minds. We can easily dismiss it if we don’t discern or stop and reflect on that thought. Similar to how the enemy can speak thoughts of condemnation or negativity. The Holy Spirit’s thoughts are positive, filled with his life and love, and His words will not go against scripture.
I thought the same thing he did. I thought I was making it up, it was an odd two syllable word. But I trusted his advice and kept speaking that word repeatedly all evening. After witnessing on the streets, the evangelism team would return to the church to pray for those who prayed to receive Jesus that day. As we were all praying in a circle, suddenly, my prayer language came like a flood. After he approached me smiling and said, “You got it, didn’t you?”
If you have read any of my posts, you’ll learn that faith is an action. For the gift of tongues, our action is to believe and open our mouths. If you lack faith, the Lord wants to give you this gift. Ask him to persuade you of his will and give you faith to believe. He knows how to convince you of his goodness.
Maybe you are like me and need to realize that you are worthy to receive this gift because Jesus made you worthy. You don’t have to be a special somebody, because the truth is we are all a special somebody and loved by our father who gives good gifts to his children. Jesus’ sacrifice made you righteous and worthy. No amount of good work can buy that for you because we all fall short. It’s by faith in what Jesus did that we are made righteous and worthy. The Father sees us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Cleansed by his blood, in the right standing through faith in Jesus’ work. By faith in what Jesus did, we please the Father and are made righteous. Simply believe. It seems too simple or too good to be true, but that is the truth.
Because he loves us. Because he is a good father who chases after us so much so that he laid down his life for us. He wants us to believe. He wants us to receive. And He is the king of kings and Lord of Lords. The all-powerful one. We are his children, heirs of the king. Not a stingy king, but a king who lavishly pours his love, grace, and goodness upon us. He sings over us, and his heart beats for his children. You are his child, you are his beloved, and you are worthy to receive.
Maybe, like me, you need extra resources to help build your faith or need understanding so you know how to receive. Watch Sid Roth’s video below and request a copy of his free book.
Before Jesus spoke about the Heavenly Father giving good things to his children, he said, ask, seek, and knock, and the door will be opened unto you (Matthew 7:7-9. When you take these steps of faith and keep asking Him, He will impart His faith (His divine persuasion) so you can believe.