How to receive the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues

Are you curious about how to receive the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues? Have you heard stories from other believers who’ve had this experience but are unsure what it means or how to open yourself up for it?

Understandably, wanting to know more about praying in tongues can be intimidating for some. But with a little understanding and faith, any Christian believer can receive this powerful gift.

How do you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and pray in tongues?

Receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit and praying in tongues begins with desire. You must hunger for more of Jesus, and you must ask. The Holy Spirit can be imparted through the laying on of hands, by being around the anointing, or asking God and praying at home.

Receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit and praying in tongues begins with desire and hunger for God and by asking. You must have an appetite, and you must ask.

Get Hungry & Thirsty For God

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 

Mathew 5:5

This reminds all Christians that our spiritual lives can only be satisfied with God’s mercies and grace. If we are not hungry or thirsty for more of Him, we will never find true fulfillment in any other aspect of life.

In John 4, Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well that He is living water and if she would but drink from it, she would never again be thirsty. If we similarly drink from God’s living water, our spiritual hunger and thirst will be quenched and forever satisfied. Therefore, let us pray to God, asking them to make us ever hungrier for His righteousness so that our hearts may genuinely overflow with joy in His presence.

As a deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

Psalm 42:1-2

Christians are called to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Therefore, to baptize means to immerse, submerge, and fill to the brim.

You cannot be “satisfied” or “filled” if you are not hungry for God and thirsty for His presence.

Spiritual hunger and thirst are dangerous; they pull on God’s heart, and He draws near to us as we draw near to Him.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:8

Hungering for God is essential in being able to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Through this hunger in our souls, “deep cries out to deep.”

Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.

Psalm 42:7

Ask God to Awaken Spiritual Hunger

The Christian journey is not always easy; it’s called the narrow road for a reason, and few are willing to follow it. Yet, to sustain a life in God, we must be filled with his Spirit. To live a long life in God, we need spiritual hunger.

The only person that can awaken Spiritual hunger is Jesus. If you are not hungry and seeking after him in his Word through prayer, obedience to His teachings, and worship–ask him to give you the gift of hunger. There is a supernatural grace for it.

I went years in my Christian walk without the gift of hunger, but once I began seeking God and asking for it–he imparted it to me. It is a supernatural grace that has come and gone during certain seasons in my life.

Whenever my soul is heavy, and my life seems to be falling apart, I begin by spending more time in prayer, I try to fast, and I ask Him to awaken hunger in me again. It’s Him that does it, and it’s not by my strength–but by pressing in and positioning myself to receive–in faith–God has answered me time and time again.

Go to Where there is an Anointing.

If you’re wondering how to receive the Holy Spirit, pray in tongues, and want to sooner rather than later, then get around anointed men and women of God!

The anointing breaks the yoke that binds us to sin and oppression. 

And in that day his burden will depart from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck; and the yoke will be broken because of the fat.

Isaiah 10:27

This “fat” refers to the anointing of the Holy Spirit that comes upon us and breaks the hold of sin and oppression in our lives. When we are around anointed ministries and leaders, we can experience the power of God breaking the yoke of bondage in our lives.

If you want to increase your chances of receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it’s wise to go to a church or ministry where there is an open heaven, and God’s tangible anointing is present. When you are in a place like this, you will often find signs and wonders starting to manifest, as well as healings, prophecies, and miracles.

By going to a church that believes in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, you’ll be able to find people to pray for you to receive it. 

The most common way for people to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit is through another believer laying hands on them. So, if you have access to someone baptized with the Holy Spirit, you should ask them to pray for you.

Just know you don’t need to have someone lay hands on you to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 

You can ask God to do it at home alone in your prayer closet or even by watching a video online and praying to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It’s just very common for it to happen with other believers laying hands on you.

You have a much higher chance of receiving it sooner if you go to where the anointing of the Holy Spirit is. Just make sure you are hungry for God! 

Humble Yourself Before God

Humility is important to receiving the Holy Spirit’s baptism and praying in tongues. Humility before God is a must. Jesus came to serve, not to be served. It is an example of humility and his teachings on the sermon on the mount that we are to model.

It’s important to acknowledge your need for Him and recognize that you cannot do anything apart from him.

Humility involves acknowledging your sins and shortcomings and recognizing your need for God’s forgiveness and grace.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

James 4:10

Repent & Confess Your Sins to God

Confessing sins is essential in receiving the Holy Spirit’s gift. It requires humility and the willingness to acknowledge and take responsibility for one’s actions.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

By confessing our sins, we demonstrate a heart open to God’s correction and transformation.

Asking the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of our lives that do not please Him is also crucial. It involves a willingness to examine our lives and identify areas where we fall short of God’s standards.

The Holy Spirit is our guide in this process, and He will reveal areas that need repentance and correction.

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24

He doesn’t bring condemnation or shame when he shows us our sins. Instead, he brings deep remorse, conviction, and sorrow. As we surrender the areas of our lives that are in bondage, he breaks the yoke and empowers us in those areas. He gives us supernatural grace to turn from our sins and to obey His Word.

By confessing our sins and asking for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we are positioning ourselves to receive the gift of praying in the Spirit.

This process requires a genuine desire to change and a willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. As we open ourselves to God’s love and allow His fiery love to consume us, we will experience transformation and renewal in every area of our lives.

Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of Fire, the very flame of the Lord.

Song of Solomon 8:6

Become Like a Child & Open Your Heart

Childlike faith is needed when approaching God. Without faith, it’s impossible to please him. It’s giving up our trust in our strength and embracing weakness so that his power and grace may be perfected in us.

As we approach God with childlike faith, we become more receptive to his guidance and leading, and we are more likely to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.

Mark 10:15

In addition to confessing your sins, it’s important to approach God with an open heart, ready to receive what he has for you. Put aside any preconceived notions or expectations and be willing to surrender to God’s will.

Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:3

Renew Your Mind in The Word

Renewing our minds to align with the things of God is essential for spiritual growth. This process allows us to be transformed by the power of the Word of God, which is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). 

It can cut through lies from enemies while revealing the truth about God’s will (Isaiah 55:11). It never returns to him void.

In Romans 12:2, Paul encourages us not to conform to the patterns of this world but instead to be transformed by renewing our minds through Scripture.

We must remember that this transformation does not occur overnight but requires actively meditating on Scripture. Doing so allows the Holy Spirit to speak into our lives and transform us.

This renewal process involves surrendering control over our thoughts and allowing the power of God’s Word to take precedence.

As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, our thoughts align with those found in its pages. However, we begin to think different as we recognize that all wisdom originates from Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:3).

An effective way to accomplish this is by taking time each day for devotionals – setting aside moments for prayerful contemplation on Scriptures or specific passages (Psalm 119:15).

Meditating on Scripture helps us discern between good and evil and teaches us how to live according to God’s will(Ephesians 5:17). We learn how His ways are better than ours as well as how rewards come when we obey Him; likewise, we see that there are consequences for disobeying Him (Romans 6:23).

Ultimately, renewing our minds is a key prerequisite for spiritual growth; without it, authentic transformation will never occur. Therefore, as believers, we must make reading the Bible an everyday priority to receive guidance from above for life’s decisions!

Surrender Everything: God is a Consuming Fire of Love

Surrendering everything to God is a powerful step towards receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is an act of acknowledging that He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things and that He loves us with a fiery love that consumes everything in its path.

This love is beyond anything we can comprehend or imagine; it is a love that burns with an intensity that cannot be quenched.

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised.

Song of Solomon 8:7

This verse highlights the power of God’s love. It is so strong that no amount of water can put it out, and no amount of wealth or possessions can match its value. Therefore, when we surrender everything to God, we trust in His love, knowing He will guide us through any circumstance.

But this fiery love of God is not just some abstract concept; it is something that we can experience in a very real and tangible way through the Holy Spirit.

As we surrender everything to God, we open ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit, a consuming fire. His love transforms us. We are filled with a burning passion for serving Him and loving others. This love drives us to be more like Jesus, reach out to those in need, and share the gospel’s good news with others. It is a love that consumes everything in its path, leaving nothing untouched.

Pursue Wholehearted Devotion to Jesus

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

This verse highlights the importance of seeking God with your whole heart. It means that you should not hold anything back. Instead, you should have a deep, sincere desire to know Him and to be in His presence. 

When you seek God wholeheartedly, you are dedicated and willing to give up things for Him. You do more than agree with what He says intellectually. You put your faith into action, and at times you will have to sacrifice things that you love, whether sinful or non-sinful–at the leading of the Holy Spirit.

When you seek God wholeheartedly, you open yourself to experiencing His presence more deeply.

To truly have an intimate relationship with God, you must set aside all distractions and devote your attention solely to Him. Whether that looks like prayer, worship, or reading the Bible – intentional time spent in communion with the Lord helps make room for His love and grace to flow through you. As you open your heart up fully, seeking after something greater than yourself, there will be a deepening of faith and a transformation of mind and spirit.

What is the purpose of the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

The purpose of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is it gives believers power over sin and the ability to pray in tongues. The benefits of tongues are Speaking Mysteries, Edifying Oneself, and Speaking to God. In addition, it builds up our spirit and man and strengthens us in God.

Do you have to be baptized to receive the Holy Spirit?

No, there are a few cases in the Bible where people received the baptism of the Holy Spirit without being baptized first. Understand that by Accepting Jesus and surrendering to Him, you receive the Holy Spirit as you are born again. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a separate experience that comes after salvation.

• Acts 10:44-48: While Peter was preaching to a group of Gentiles in Cornelius’ house, the Holy Spirit fell on them, and they began to speak in tongues. Peter then commanded them to be baptized in water (read: can you baptize yourself in water?).
• Acts 19:1-7: Paul encountered some disciples in Ephesus who had only received John’s baptism. He then baptized them in water and laid hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to speak in tongues.

It’s important to remember that while these examples show that it’s possible to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit without being baptized in water or before being baptized in water, they do not nullify the significance of water baptism as an act of obedience and a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

If you want to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and pray in tongues, hunger for God is the most important. You must surrender your life to Jesus and get into the anointing by being around other believers. You also need to humble yourself before God, repent and confess your sins, become like a child with an open heart, renew your mind in The Word, and finally ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Pursue wholehearted devotion to Jesus; He will give you this good gift when you ask Him.