It was in 2004, few days after my baptism in water, that I received my baptism in the Spirit with the gift of speaking in tongues. I was in high school and the Senior Pastor of the charismatic church I had been attending had explained to us the importance of this gift.
Prior to this event, I had been struggling with feelings of doubt about my salvation. This was mainly due to the fact that I had not gone to the altar, in front of the whole church, to repent and receive Jesus there. I had repeated the sinner’s prayer so many times at home and even stood up once in a cell group to receive Jesus in my life. However, I always felt that I had not done enough and maybe I needed to do more. Therefore, I asked God to settle for me this issue once for all by giving me this gift, so that I could be 100% sure of my salvation.
And He did it. Before we were called to the front to be prayed for, I was almost weeping (that is generally how I feel when I am touched by the Spirit of God). The pastor asked those who want to receive this gift to come to the altar. Me and my girlfriends (we were seated together) went. I was expecting to feel something like electricity or thunderstorms. As in the supernatural!! Well, I felt none of those things. I simply opened my mouth and began to speak (as the pastor told us to do just that). Words came out of my mouth that I could not understand and I continued to speak them. It was extremely natural and I wondered if I had not missed it.
When we went home, I asked my girlfriends how it went for them . And their experience was somehow like mine (along with the doubts) and we concluded that it was the devil trying to stop us from receiving this gift. That day, I realized that God can do supernatural things in the most natural ways. I also realized that if I wanted to speak in tongues I could do it anywhere and anytime. I did not have to feel weird or be in church or be praying- it was just like the way I could speak French or my mother tongue.
That is how I received the gift of speaking in tongues. My doubts about my salvation seized that day and I began to use it regularly in church.
Today, I look back and thank God immensely for blessing me with this gift. Praying in tongues has helped me so many times, especially during tribulations when I do not even know how to pray. Sometimes, I can be praying in English and somehow feel an irresistible urge to speak in tongues; a sign that the Holy Spirit wants to pray through me (and I like it). Other times, I can simply pray in tongues to edify myself or even pray for somebody or a situation that seems impossible. God’s gifts are awesome! As you read this, I pray that God would grant you this gift if you do not have it.
Mark 16:17-18
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay their hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
Be Blessed!
A Healthy You 