My First Time Speaking in Tongues: What to Expect

Are you wondering what it’s like to speak in tongues for the first time? Or have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and already prayed in tongues once?

It’s an incredible experience that God promises to all followers of Jesus. It happens differently for everyone. Many people unmistakably feel God’s presence as they open their mouths in faith and speak in a new heavenly prayer language.

My First Time Speaking in Tongues

I’ll never forget my first time speaking in tongues at age 19. It was an incredibly powerful experience. I wept as the power of God swirled around me. The only thing I could see and feel what Jesus, His majesty, Love, and Goodness. Then I opened my mouth…

I accepted Jesus when at age five and then again at 13, but it wasn’t until I was 19 that I surrendered my to Him. The night he encountered me and I wept in repentance for several hours alone in my bedroom.

After surrendering to God’s will, one of the things I began praying for was the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 

As often happens, God had bigger plans than I could have come up with. He led me to move to North Port, Florida. My first day there was a Sunday. Knowing that the Assemblies of God churches believe in tongues, that is where I decided to go.

That day, there happened to be a guest Evangelist, which was rare for this church at the time. His name was Frank Butler. I was starving for God and happened to have had an insane spiritual attack the night before. So I was pretty desperate.

Frank gave an alter call, but only a few people went down. It was my first time in a church where the Holy Spirit was free to move in power. So I ran down to the altar.

Frank prayed for me once as he anointed my head with oil. After that, I didn’t feel much. Maybe a slight tingle. I refused to leave the altar, though. I had already made up my mind that I was going to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit that day. Even before I got to church and knew an Evangelist would be there.

It was awkward standing at the altar, it was a small church, and I was one of just a few people down there–just standing around.

Then he circled back to me, pointed his finger right at me, and said,

“do you want to be filled with the Holy Ghost?”

All I could do was nod. I was somewhat speechless.

Frank Butler and several elders laid their hands on me while praying. As soon as they did this, I felt an enormous surge of power and electricity surround me, and tears started flowing from my eyes as I deeply felt God’s presence. 

Then Frank said: “Speak! It’s there.” 

So with faith that God had given me this gift, I opened my mouth, and out came a beautiful heavenly language like nothing else on Earth! 

It flowed naturally without any effort on my part; it felt like it came straight from Heaven itself! 

It’s been almost 20 years since then, but the memory is relevant today. It’s part of my history in God. If you seek this experience from God, I bless you on your journey as you develop your history with Him! 

The weeks and months will turn into decades. But, eventually, we will be united with Him forever; He promised us eternal life. The Holy Spirit sealed us for that day when we received Jesus into our life, provided we continue working out our salvation and don’t turn away.

What to Expect: First time speaking in tongues

God doesn’t fit in a box. Anything can happen. You can start praying in tongues at home by seeking Him and asking. It is common for people to start praying in tongues after having their hands laid on them and prayed over in a congregation. If you’re going that route, then:

1. Laying on of hands to receive Baptism of Holy Spirit is common
2. You Have To Step Out in Faith
3. You Must Open up to God
4. Focus Your Mind on Jesus
5. Wait For a Shift in the Spiritual Atmosphere
6. Refuse Hesitation and Speak in Faith

Detailed Explanation of What to Expect

1. It can be helpful to have another believer who already speaks in tongues lay hands on you and pray for you to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Being in the presence of anointed believers can create an environment that makes it easier to receive this gift.
2. Speaking in tongues requires an act of faith. Don’t overthink or try to plan what you will say. Instead, surrender to God and let Him guide your words.
3. When you are getting prayed for, it’s important to completely open up to God in humility and ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit. The believers praying for you may be praying in their prayer language, and you can use this as an example of what to do.
4. Focus completely on Jesus, the Father, or the Holy Spirit. Don’t try to copy the syllables you hear or think too much. Just let the Holy Spirit guide your words.
5. It may take a few minutes of praying in the Spirit for the spiritual atmosphere to shift, so be patient and stay focused on Jesus.
6. At some point, you will feel the Holy Spirit impressing upon you to open your mouth and speak in tongues, or a believer praying for you will tell you to speak.
7. It’s normal to feel some hesitation or fear before you open your mouth to speak in tongues for the first time but don’t let that hold you back. Just open your mouth and speak! Ignore any hesitation!
8. Let those around you be an example and do what they are doing. Your prayer language may sound different than theirs, but that’s okay.
9. When you pray in tongues, you may experience powerful physical sensations such as the Glory, flashes of light, swirling power around you, goosebumps, heat, chills, pressure, or a deep emotional connection to God. You may even weep with tears of Love or feel like you are floating. These sensations are all normal and from God.
10. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t feel anything. The more you use this gift from God, the stronger your Spirit will become. You may even develop the gift of discerning spirits to sense the presence of angels around you. Just trust in God’s timing and let the Holy Spirit guide you.

Preparing To Pray in Tongues For the First Time

Speaking in tongues is a beautiful and mysterious gift God has given us. It can be an incredible experience. If you’re ready to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and start praying in tongues, there are a few important things that you should remember. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Seek Anointed Believers

It can be helpful to have other believers who already speak in tongues lay hands on you and pray for you to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Being in the presence of anointing believers can create an environment that makes it easier for you to receive this gift.

Speak with Faith

Speaking in tongues requires an act of faith – don’t overthink or try to plan what you will say. Instead, surrender yourself completely to God and let Him guide your words. Then, when getting prayed for, focus your mind completely on Jesus Christ as He baptizes you with His Holy Spirit. This can open up a whole new realm of spiritual understanding for you!

Open Up Completely

When getting prayed for, it’s important to open up to God in humility and ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit. The believers praying for you may be praying in their prayer language, which can serve as an example of how best to do it yourself. Listen closely as they lay hands on you and allow yourself to get lost in their prayers. Let go of all doubt or fear blocking your ability to receive this wonderful gift from God!

Focus your mind on God.

It can take some time to find the right place of prayer, but it’s worth it – the spiritual atmosphere will shift, and you will feel ready to open your mouth and speak. When that moment comes, try not to let any fears or hesitations hold you back from giving voice to the words of the Holy Spirit. Instead, allow yourself to be encouraged by those already speaking in tongues. Their language may differ from yours, but it doesn’t matter.

As you prepare for that first time of praying in tongues, remember that it’s essential to focus clearly on Jesus, the Father, or the Holy Spirit above all else. Don’t worry too much about replicating what other people say. Instead, let the Spirit guide your words.

Although it can take a few minutes for a spiritual atmosphere to develop and shift, be patient and stay focused on God so you can express what He wants you to say. Don’t overthink. God is with you, and He is for you. He has this day appointed for you.

Conclusion

Praying in the Spirit for the first time is a special moment. It’s available to every follower of Christ. By being aware of the things mentioned, we can put ourselves in a better position to open our hearts and receive this precious gift from God.

Then, with patience, faith, and trust, we, too, can find ourselves immersed in this beautiful encounter with Jesus!