Biblical Foundations for Speaking and Praying in Tongues

The subject of speaking in tongues is one of much controversy in the Church of today. We really don't want to miss out on anything the Spirit longs to give to us in this age. But in order to really appreciate it we need to see it for what it really is and carefully examine what God's Word teaches about it. This article is an approach to a biblical introduction to the mystery and beauty of connecting to and ministering together with God through tongues.

Overcoming Prejudices and Misconceptions

1. While the Word of God is quite clear about speaking in tongues, there is much lack of knowledge, misunderstanding, and quarreling present in today's Church over the whole topic. Apart from those people who have a clear and balanced biblical apprehension of it, there are many groups who overemphasize, demonize or completely neglect it.
   
   
2. We don't want to miss out on or refuse anything that Jesus longs to give us, first of all because He is the Giver of good things and because He is the lover of our soul, longing to shower us with gifts of His love. Furthermore, whatever He desires to bestow on His Church will not be optional but crucial, for He is perfect in knowledge and wisdom and knows what He is doing.
   
   
3. On the other side, we don't want to treat the things He gives to us in a wrong and unbiblical way. This will only be to our loss, and perhaps even to the loss of others if our false use will make them shut the doors of their hearts, eventually rejecting what God offers to them.
   
   
4. One misconception I want to tackle right in the beginning is that the gifts of the Holy Spirit have vanished with the apostles. That is completely wrong and there is no verse in the Bible that supports that view (unless you alienate them from their contexts and misinterpret them to fit this purpose). Rather, the Bible clearly teaches the increase of the Spirit's activity in the last days (Joel 2:28; Mark 16:17-18).
   
   
5. Jesus clearly said that new tongues are a normal and to-be-expected consequence of believing in Him. It shouldn't be anything strange or extraordinary to Christians, rather a simple expression of the redeemed body of Christ.
   
   17 These signs will accompany those who have believed: …, they will speak with new tongues. (Mark 16:17)
   
   
6. Paul eagerly encouraged the churches to pursue the things God has for them. It was important to Him that the Spirit would not be quenched. In that He also commanded not to forbid speaking in tongues.
   
   39 … do not forbid to speak in tongues. (1 Cor 14:39)
   
   

Three Different Types of Tongue-Related Activity

1. The Bible actually distinguishes between three different types of tongue activity. Most of the contemporary confusion about speaking in tongues occurs, when those three types are mixed up because suddenly the Word of God doesn't make sense and seems to contradict itself.
   
   
2. Here are some examples to illustrate the incompatibility of the biblical account when one assumes that all verses refer to one and the same thing: 
   
   
1. At one point it is said that it's to the edification of the church (1 Cor 12:7,10; 1 Cor 14:5), at another point it's for private use and self-edification only (1 Cor 14:4,17).
   
   
2. At one point it has to be interpreted or no one will understand (1 Cor 14:5,13), at another point it is not even addressed to people but to God (1 Cor 14:2).
   
   
3. Though it needs interpretation in order to be understood, there was no interpretation on the day of Pentecost because it was clearly understood even by unbelievers.
   
   
3. One fact that makes it worse is that, while attributing completely different characteristics to those three types, the Bible has no consistent names for them but in some cases calls all three types “speaking in tongues” which can make it difficult to discern which kind is referred to.
   
   
4. To make distinguishing and talking about it easier, I suggest to use different terms for different types. Those three types differ in many areas (purpose, principles of use, etc.). That's why it's important to look closer at each single kind (which I will do after a basic outline).
   
   
1. Speaking in Tongues – Purpose: prophetic message. Where: congregation. When: at move of the Spirit (gift). Recipient: church, needs to be interpreted
   
   
2. Praying in Tongues – Purpose: intercession, prayer, worship. Where: in private. When: at will (ability). Recipient: God, needs no interpretation
   
   
3. Preaching in Tongues – Purpose: evangelistic preaching. Where: in public. When: specific instances (miracle). Recipient: mostly unbelievers, the Holy Spirit makes them understand
   
   

Speaking in Tongues (The Gift)

1. Definition: Delivering prophetic messages to the congregation in an unknown language that needs to be interpreted through the spiritual gift of interpretation in order to be understood.
   
   
2. It's listed among the supernatural gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:10,30; 14:26) which implies 1) that not everyone has it (1 Cor 12:30), 2) that its purpose is the edification of the church so it's exercised in a corporate setting (1 Cor 14:5,12) and 3) that it's bestowed and activated through the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:7-11). It also means that we will only flow in it to the extend that we give room to the Holy Spirit to use us in this certain way. If we don't use it, we won't grow in it.
   
   
3. Every believer should pursue the gift of speaking in tongues. In 1 Cor 14:1 Paul exhorts every Christian to pursue spiritual gifts and emphasizes the prophetic gifts in a special way. Later in verse 5 he then speaks of the interpreted tongues speech as equal in value to the prophetic.
   
   
4. It needs to be interpreted, otherwise it will not be understood (1 Cor 14:5-6,17,27-28). Interpretation is listed as another gift of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:10,30; 14:26), not by natural means like learning. Interpretation is not translation, as if every word or syllable would have a specific translation. Rather it is more like interpreting dreams and vision: it gives meaning, not a translation. Notice also that even the one who gives the speech is to pray in order to receive the interpretation of what he said in tongues (1 Cor 14:13). Thus it's clear that it's not a natural language that the speaker understands and could translate himself. Speaking and interpreting tongues is a supernatural process, not a natural one.
   
   
5. How does it work? – Usually, the one who is going to speak in tongues will get an impression that God will speak through Him in tongues. Then he or she will (appropriate to the setting and after consulting leadership) start speaking in tongues in front of the group or church, expressing what God puts in the heart of the one who speaks. Meanwhile, others in the room will ask God for an interpretation (those with the gift especially, but it's also a good circumstance to find out if you have the gift by asking, too). The one giving the speech will pray for an interpretation too (1 Cor 14:13). After that, someone will interpret (explain) the meaning of the speech to the group or church.
   
   
6. Activation: You won't find out whether or not you have it unless you try it. In a group everyone asks God for a speech in tongues. If you feel like the Holy Spirit encourages you to speak, then do so. After it you and the others ask God for an interpretation and share what He gives to you. This will be much easier if you already pray in tongues often.
   
   
7. Question: Why doesn't God speak direct and clearly? – Paul likens the gift of speaking in tongues to prophecy and it indeed is a form of it. However, the simple fact that it's prophecy with an additional step (the tongue speech) rises the question why God wouldn't speak clearly in the first place. Why would He make it even more complicated? First of all, speaking of tongues in a way is close to God-given dreams: They are so symbolic and confusing that if God doesn't give you the interpretation you wouldn't understand them. So the same is true there too: Why wouldn't He speak clearly in the first place (apart from the numerous times that He actually did)? I can see different reasons why God would want to make it this way in His infinite wisdom:
   
   
1. It's about hunger – It shows us that even though God loves to bestow things freely, He also delights in a hungry heart. He deeply enjoys hearts desperate enough for Him that they, instead of being indifferent, would readily pay every price in order to draw closer and get more of Him.
   
   
2. It awakens hunger – Those occurrences are not only to teach us that God wants that our hearts are hungry, but at the same time awaken that hunger in us when we respond rightly. They are the bait of a passionate God that cries “Seek My face” (Ps 27:8). With them, He makes us knock, ask and sit before Him. We could say it's His way to draw us closer if we don't come voluntarily.
   
   
3. It teaches us utter dependence on God – Even in our spiritual gifts (and especially in all forms of the prophetic) we need to walk in complete dependence, in the “I only do what I see the Father do”-paradigm like Jesus did (John 5:19). That is God's desire. He does not give spiritual gifts because He couldn't do the job alone. He's giving them because He desires intimate partners that would walk and work and love in complete partnership with Him. It's God's way to develop a dependent spirit in us.
   
   

Praying in Tongues (The Ability)

1. Definition: Praying in tongues, also commonly referred to as praying in the spirit or one's personal prayer language, is a spiritual language used for private prayer (1 Cor 14:2,28), personal edification (1 Cor 14:4), intercession (Rom 8:26-27) and worship (1 Cor 14:15-17). Like speaking in tongues it's contrary to using our minds to form words and sentences, rather our spirit prays (1 Cor 14:14-15).
   
   
1. Paul specifically refers to this type when he is speaking about “praying in tongues” (1 Cor 14:14), “praying with the spirit”, “singing with the spirit” or “blessing in the spirit” (1 Cor 14:15-16).
   
   
2. Other than the gift of speaking in tongues, this is for private use (often in a private setting) and does not need interpretation since it's addressed to God and not men.
   
   2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; ... (1 Cor 14:2)
   
   
1. In 1 Cor 14:18-19 when Paul claims to speak more in tongues than all of the Corinthians, it is clear that he is referring to the private prayer language because subsequently he is contrasting this with when he preaching is in a church setting.
   
   
2. The bible gives two possible settings for praying in tongues: 1) in private setting (when you are alone) and 2) in a public setting (congregation, etc.) but for private use, like personal prayer or worship in church (1 Cor 14:28).
   
   
3. It's purpose is personal edification (1 Cor 14:4) that finds expression in various benefits:
   
   
1. Tenderizing and activating our spirit – When we pray in tongues we activate our spirit, give it room to connect with God, and so tenderize ourselves for God's presence by putting our attention and focus on God. We press into His presence, where we are built up and our perspective changed. We can sing and pray with our minds without using the spirit, being somewhere else but focused on God. But we cannot pray in the spirit without using the spirit.
   
   
2. Connecting us with God's love – One way that we encounter more of God's love and the reality that we are His children is in praying in tongues as He increases His presence and we are more open to hearing His loving voice.
   
   16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. (Rom 8:16)
   
   
3. Impartation of divine revelation – Praying in tongues is like extending our spiritual antennas. We connect with God's sphere as we grow more sensitive to His voice and presence. It often happens then that we receive new revelation from God, that we suddenly get new ideas or understand things. Praying in tongues is speaking "mysteries" (1 Cor 14:2), a word that Paul used in 1 Cor 13:2 to refer to prophetic knowledge.
   
   
4. Praying when you can't find words – Sometimes when we pray for a long time, we easily run out of words, or there are times when it feels very hard to pray or we pray for a friend but don't really know what we should pray. In praying in tongues we never run out of words. You can pray for hours and do not even have to care about what to say because your spirit prays. Instead of struggling for words, you just let the spirit fill your mouth (1.Cor 14:14). He can fill your mouth with prayers and praise when you can't yourself.
   
   26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Rom 8:26)
   
   
5. Praying without ceasing – Praying in tongues is a step closer to "praying continually" (1 Thess 5:17). It enables us to pray whenever and wherever we are (you don't have to pray louder than quiet whispers) and we can also do it while being busy with other things. It's a wonderful way to maintain a connection with God and a life of prayer even in the business of our everyday life.
   
   
6. Praise that pleases God – The Bible testifies that praying and singing in tongues is a way to “give thanks well” (1 Cor 14:17). Your renewed spirit prays, sings and praises in a language that is completely pleasing to God's heart, free from the distortions of our worries, the defilements of the flesh or the limits of our minds and understanding. It's the spirit that God has given us praying back to God and lavishing love on Him. He completely enjoys hearing those words being uttered through and by our voices.
   
   
7. To quiet evil thoughts – Paul explains how the mind is unfruitful when we pray in tongues. Through praying in tongues and focusing on Jesus we are enabled to overcome evil thoughts that assault our minds simply by forcing it to quiet down and come into alignment with God.
   
   14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. (1 Cor 14:14)
   
   
8. Science proves benefits – There have been quite a few scientific studies on praying in tongues of which it is very interesting that they broadly support the biblical account and testimonies of those who do it.
   
   
4. Every Spirit-filled believer can pray in tongues and this fact I will underline clearly:
   
   
1. That was Paul's desire and did not only express a wish but also a possible reality. Paul mentioned it together with the prophetic of which the Bible makes it clear that all can prophesy (Joel 2:28; 1 Cor 14:31).
   
   5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy … (1 Cor 14:5)
   
   
2. Praying in tongues is not a spiritual gift in the traditional sense (as opposed to speaking in tongues) because
   
   
1. Spiritual gifts are for the edification of the church (1 Cor 12:7; 14:5,12; 1 Peter 4:10-11) while praying in tongues is for the individual believer only (1 Cor 14:4,17)
   
   
2. In the list of spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:10,30; 14:26), tongues are always put together with the gift of interpretation which highlights the fact that it refers to speaking but not praying in tongues. The gift is the form that has to be interpreted because it's for the edification of the church and equal to the prophetic gifts. The text does not give any reason to also include the private prayer language in this description of the gifts (especially because of its characteristical difference to spiritual gifts mentioned above).
   
   
3. Praying in tongues differs broadly from the characteristics of spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Cor 12. Therefore we cannot project other aspects of spiritual gifts on praying of tongues. Consequently applying 1 Cor 12:11 (that is the fact about the gifts of the Holy Spirit that He bestows them on each differently) to praying in tongues also is simply not a valid thing to do.
   
   
3. Not for ministry but relationship. Because praying in tongues is not for the edification of the church but for personal edification, it has primarily nothing to do with ministry-calling (unlike spiritual gifts, see 1 Cor 12:4-5) but with my personal relationship with Jesus. Withholding it from some would mean that He would willingly limit their ability to fellowship with Him which is so contrary to His heartbeat. Though God gives us different callings and giftings to fulfill our specific ministry-tasks, He invites us all to the same level of intimacy with Him.
   
   
4. We definitely need it. If Paul needed it and even said that he was doing it more than all the Corinthians together (1 Cor 14:18), who were known for their excessive use of tongues, then how much more do we need it. It's presumptuous to say that one doesn't need it if they don't display at least the spiritual maturity of Paul.
   
   
5. No reason to withhold something so beneficial. Having a look at the benefits, there is no reason why God would withhold it from some. It seems strange that God would give it only to some and leave out others. All of us need constant edification in our walk with God. And looking at the benefits of it only confirms our desperate need for it.
   
   
6. Experience proves that God gives it to all who really want. Even though once in a while there are people who say they don't have it, or even mean that God told them He doesn't want to give it to them (yet), I haven't seen anyone who really wanted it and didn't start doing it after some short instruction about how it works, what it is and what it is not. Often there are just wrong expectations and ideas, doubts or fears that keep people from simply stepping into it.
   
   
5. Requirements & Misunderstandings
   
   
1. Baptism of the Holy Spirit – Tongue related activity is mentioned as a result of the baptism with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6), which refers to the step from being a Christian in which the Holy Spirit works to being a Christian in which the very Godhead takes residence in you, filling you with a new experience and level of fellowship with the Holy (not of salvation!).
   
   
2. Never done what you already can – I believe that many Christians (especially those who really want it) are simply unaware of the fact that they already can speak in tongues. They wait for a special occasion, feeling or sign that they have it or receive it, not knowing that God has already done everything in them and that they can do it right now.
   
   
3. It's a step of faith – Many are baptized in the Spirit and have been wanting to pray in tongues but have never really ventured out and are now stuck in asking mode (for something they already received). If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then praying in tongues is an ability that you have, no matter if you've ever exercised it or not, no matter if you're aware of it or not. Stop asking for God to prepare a pathway, when He is calling you out of the boat and into the water.
   
   
4. You take initiative – The Holy Spirit will not “come upon you”, forcing you to do something in a way that you cannot resist but so you suddenly have to speak in tongues. That's so unlike God and it simply doesn't work like that. People who wait for that wait in vain. Even though at some point we might feel an urge of the Spirit, it's not necessary nor usual. The step into praying in tongues is obedience in stepping into it. Even in the often ecstatic gift of prophecy, Paul eventually makes clear that “the spirits of the prophets are subject to the control of prophets” (1 Cor 14:32). When you want to pray in tongues, you decide when to do it, how to do it, how loud and how fast. The spirit is not taking you over but simply filling your mouth with words. But when you want to pray in tongues, it is your part to take the initiative and open your mouth.
   
   
5. Less ecstatic than expected – I would say, it's not half as ecstatic as many think it is and not half as ecstatic as some groups make it seem. It's more like praying with the mind: sometimes you feel God's presence, sometimes you simply don't, sometimes you feel an anointing and sometimes not. And it's not like the Spirit overcomes you and you lose control over yourself and suddenly pray in tongues. People who report such things are most likely exaggerating a deep urge to express what they feel within. It's like when God touches you deeply and you burst out in worship. But you decide if, when and how. God hasn't created you as a robot and He won't use you as one.
   
   
6. It's not necessary to get to heaven – Some groups overemphasize the ability of praying in tongues so much that they wrongly (and most destructively) make it a matter of salvation. That is a most terrible distortion of Jesus sacrifice on the cross and just another manifestation of righteousness by works. You don't have to pray in tongues in order to be saved. You don't even have to want it in order to be loved enjoyed by God. He wants to give it to you because He is a good Father and loves giving you good gifts, but He certainly won't reject you if you reject one of His gifts. (We all miss and reject so many of them daily, don't we?) You also don't have to speak in tongues in order to be baptized by the Spirit. Rather the Baptism with the Holy Spirit precedes praying in tongues. There are many Christians out there who are baptized with the Holy Spirit but have (sadly) never prayed in tongues.
   
   
7. It's no substitute for prayer with out mind – There are some groups that overemphasize praying in tongues over common prayer with mindful words. That is wrong and completely contradicts the purpose of this present. The ability of praying in tongues is given to enhance our prayer life, not to limit it. It's an addition, no substitute. Paul clearly underlines that both are important parts of our prayer life (see 1 Cor 14:15). I personally pray more with the mind than with the spirit and would not want to change that, because I love to converse with God.
   
   
8. It's a present of God – Another aspect to underline the previous fact: It's a present of God and will remain that. He will never impose it on us and force us to do it. It's for our good and we decide how much we receive it and how much we walk in it. You don't have to take it, but you will miss out on something He desired to give to you to help you build an intimate relationship with Him. However, it being a gift also assures us that those who do not really want it will go without it.
   
   
9. What about those who claim God told them He doesn't want to give it to them? – Some say that God doesn't want to give it to them (yet). I highly doubt that and never found it to be true. Actually the case is most often that they already can, but simply have wrong expectations about how is must feel or about how to receive it. They have simply never taken the step of faith to actually begin doing it.
   
   
1. Some actually don't want it out of fear, unbiblical ideas, misunderstandings, controversies or awkwardness and actually feel relieved by the thought that God doesn't want to give it to them. They haven't really understood the powerful benefits of praying in tongues and the potential it has to enhance their relationship with Jesus. If they did, they wouldn't feel relieved when God said something like that but would deeply sadden them and only increase their yearning for it. If they would really understand what it could do to their level of intimacy with Jesus they would exclaim with Jacob: “I will not let You go unless You bless me.” (Gen 32:26)
   
   
6. Activation
   
   
1. Get baptized with the Holy Spirit – If you are not baptized in the Holy Spirit, cry out to Him that you would. You definitely don't want to miss out on that!
   
   
2. Pray for it – If you want, let someone pray for you that the ability to pray in tongues would be activated in you and that you would find the courage to receive and use what He gives you.
   
   
3. Free yourself from false expectations – Do you have wrong ideas of it that actually keep you from doing it? One of the false expectations is that you have to feel something special either when receiving it, or while practicing it, or in order to start it. This can happen and it certainly can impact not only our spirit but also our emotions, but it's not necessary and doesn't always happen like this. One of the best ways to describe it is to liken it to normal prayer and it actually comes very close to it. Sometimes you feel God's presence and sometimes you just don't. But in all cases you simply start, trusting that there is one who listens and understands.
   
   
4. Start doing it – Simply start doing it. You can theorize a lot about it, but in the end it comes down to this simple step of faith. There's no other way or hotfix than trusting His leadership and goodness and activating what you have. 
   
   
5. Do it with someone who knows it – It can be very helpful to have a good friend beside you who can encourage you, and one you can simply listen to in order to know what it will sound like (especially if you've never heard it before). After all I think the biggest barrier is exactly that: The venture out into new ground that simply feels a little new and insecure and therefore can make us feel a little uncomfortable at first. It's good to have one next to you for who it's not something new, who feels comfortable in doing it.
   
   
6. Don't withdraw – Don't be confused by its sound, the way it feels in the beginning, and maybe even that it might not seem to make sense or feel any special. In the end it's something supernatural, and it will not seem very logical. Spiritual things have to be discerned spiritually! It's like when Paul said that the gospel seems foolish for those who have no capacity to grasp it. It's a spiritual thing and our mind will not be able to grasp it all and that's ok. It will become something very natural and comfortable to you in time if you don't give up on it, this I assure you!
   
   
7. Don't be fooled – As in everything else, the enemy will come and try to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He will be telling you that you're fooling yourself, that it's not the real stuff, and all kind of stuff. Many voices can rise up that will come against you and demonize it. (I so know what I'm talking about...) I tried to outline everything clearly and comprehensively here in order to prepare you to speak the Word of God back to the accuser and to find rest in Jesus' truth.
   
   
8. Use it often – Just use it more regularly. In your private prayer times give it space. When you're taking a walk or running some errands, simply take the opportunity to connect with God through praying in tongues. It will become something very normal and natural, and before you know it you will love it a lot just because you regularly experience how it helps you love and fellowship with God more. When praying in tongues, you give the spirit room to move. It often happens to me now after having given much room to the spirit, that I find myself praying in the spirit very often. It's just become almost as natural as breathing.
   
   

Preaching in Tongues (The Miracle)

1. Definition: Boldly proclaiming the gospel in tongues while being understood by other people in their own language. That is the kind that we read of in Acts 2 (the day of Pentecost).
   
   
2. Many people falsely associate the Acts 2 form of tongues with the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues mentioned in 1 Cor 12 and 14. This again will cause various problems when trying to bring the biblical account together. They are close, but there are also distinct differences between those two:
   
   
1. No interpretation needed – When Paul talks about the gift of speaking in tongues in 1 Cor 14, he repeatedly underlines the necessity of interpretation (1 Cor 14:5-9,13,27-28). However, we don't read anything of interpretation in Acts 2, nor does the necessity for it appear at all, for the people understood (Acts 2:7-8).
   
   
2. The staggering fact was the understanding rather than speaking – When carefully studying Acts 2 it is obvious that the actual surprise (more than about the fact that they were speaking in other tongues, Acts 2:4) was the fact that everyone understood them in their own language (Acts 2:7-8). The language miracle that happened in Acts 2 was more a miracle of hearing than of speaking. While they spoke in other tongues, everyone understood them in their own native language. It was more than speaking in tongues that was understood without interpretation, it was it being translated by the Holy Spirit differently in each of the listeners ears.
   
   
3. Conviction rather than edification – First of all the speech was addressed to unbelievers rather than the church. Then its purpose was not the edification of the congregation but the conviction of those unbelievers of whom many would get baptized later that day.
   
   
3. So, is this (or any of the tongue related activities) a real, existing human language?
   
   
1. Because of the Acts 2 account, many assume that tongue activity always and only refers to someone speaking in a real human language that he or she hasn't learned. I believe that this is a wrong conclusion and, even more, that there is no substantial evidence in the biblical texts that would require it. Here are some reasons:
   
   
2. Speaking in tongues – Once again, Paul puts the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues together with the gift of interpretation. The need to interpret is what he specifically highlights in 1 Cor 14, or it won't be understood. The spiritual gift of speaking in tongues requires a real spiritual gift of interpretation (not the naturally acquired ability of translation). It's a spiritual language that can only be understood by a spiritual gift.
   
   
3. Praying in tongues – The personal prayer language is not a human language, but a language only known to God because it was only meant for Him (isn't that a lovely fact!). 1 Cor 14:2 makes it clear that what you say when praying in tongues is reserved for God alone, and that “no one” (!) understands.
   
   
4. Preaching in tongues (Acts 2) – Again, the biblical account is clear in that the real miracle here happened in every ear hearing a different language rather than them speaking in to them foreign languages (Acts 2:7-8). Therefore it's not necessary that any of them was speaking a foreign language at all since everyone of the listeners would hear something different anyway (which would, after all, make it more or less useless anyway). Thus, it seems quite natural that they, as the Bible says spoke in tongues (Acts 2:4) while the Holy Spirit Himself interpreted it, in this case translated it, to the every one of the listeners for means of conviction.
   
   
5. Thus, none of the three types seems to be initially or mandatorily connected to a real, existing human language.
   
   
6. This being said, of course there is no reason to limit the work of the Holy Spirit. God is not to be put in a box! I believe that God can and does grant to some that they can suddenly speak a foreign language fluently and also that tongue related activity (any of those) can come close or really be an existing human language. I have heard of and seen it myself. However, I'm not sure if  they really spoke the different language, or (like in Acts 2) the Holy Spirit translated it in my ears. My intention here is simply to point out that the biblical account does not speak of tongues as being human languages and that insisting on that is not based on the biblical text.
   
   
4. Activation
   
   
1. Sovereign move of God – I categorized what happened in Acts 2 as a miracle and think that it's an appropriate description, because they are unique and sovereign moves of God that require the cooperation of human beings with God and though there is no biblical promise for their successful repetition can surely (and in many cases) are rightly sought.
   
   
2. Pray for it – As it is a miracle, we can and should pray for it and expect God's intervention especially in times of need. This also positions us to boldly walk it out in case that God really wants to give it to us at some point.
   
   
3. Try doing it – Sometimes when I am in a different country where I cannot speak the native language and I see a homeless person or beggar asking for money at the side of the road, I seize the opportunity, ask God to use me as a witness for His glory, go over to the person, give them some money and then speak to them in tongues. You showed that you care, they are happy, and if they can't understand you, they will know you're a foreigner and won't care. Really, you have nothing to lose that way. Furthermore, you've blessed them anyway, and you've touched God's heart as well since He is deeply acquainted with the poor, broken and hurting ones. Seeing their need also encourages me and really makes me expect God to move in those situations. If He does use your speaking in tongues (and I have heard of instances where it happened), then you are proclaiming the Word of God in power and will mightily impact the life of this person. Both of you will be amazingly surprised when God actually grants a divine encounter in this area.
   
   

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Prophetic Activation Exercises

This is a collection of group exercises that will help you learn to hear the voice of God more clearly for yourself and for others. No matter if you're a complete beginner, believing you've never really heard the voice of God, or one who has already ministered to people prophetically for years, they will sharpen your spiritual senses. Feel free to use these exercises for your personal training and also to equip others.

Pursuing the Prophetic

• The Scripture challenges us to pursue the gifts of the Spirit and puts a special emphasis on the prophetic. If we are called to seek after those gifts, then it's clear that we will end up with less if we don't.
  
  1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. (1 Cor 14:1)


• While every Spirit-filled believer can prophecy as a general grace God gave to the entire Church (Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:15-18; 1 Cor 14:31), the measure we experience the prophetic and are able to walk in it is determined by our hunger. If we can live without it, we most likely will.


• While pursuing the prophetic includes many different aspects like praying for it (Mt 7:7-8; James 4:2), opening our hearts to it, joining a community that actively desires increase of the prophetic, and positioning ourselves to receive more from Jesus, I want to focus on the practical aspect of exercise here.


• Paul exhorts us to test every prophecy which includes the possibility of failure. Prophecy in the New Testament is different to the Old Testament in the way that it not only knows the difference between true and false prophets, but also true and false prophecies. While now every believer can flow in a general grace of the prophetic, we certainly don't walk in the same authority or demand of infallibility. Almost everyone has had a situation where we believed that God spoke to us and later we found out that He didn't. So even a person operating in a divine gift of prophecy can sometimes simply mess things up. Paul tells us to be aware of that. But it doesn't make you a false prophet (who are most notably defined by sinful motives, ungodly character and bad fruit). Notice that Paul wants us to test everything, not everyone.
  
  20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. (1 Thess 5:20-21)


• To distinguish true and false prophecies, we have the written Word of God, the gift of discernment (not the gift of suspicion), but also exercise. Although this might seem unspiritual to some, it's a biblical concept. We mature in discernment by training our senses through exercise (by simply using the gift). We get to know the voice of a friend simply by hearing it and will eventually be able to recognize this one voice even when there are many others at the same time. That is what we intend when we talk about prophetic activations: getting to know the gentle voice of God more and thus being able to discern it from all other voices more easily. We truly need to “learn” how to tune in to God.
  
  14 … who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. (Hebr 5:14)


• For more information on the prophetic please also check out my article “Introduction to Ministering in the Prophetic”.

What Are Prophetic Activation Exercises?

• Prophetic activation exercises are small group activities with the primary purpose of practicing to hear God's voice and to grow in the prophetic by ministering prophetically to one another. They focus on equipping through practice, although short teachings and responses to questions will definitely be an irreplaceable part of them. Since no or only basic background knowledge is necessary, they are suitable for beginners as well as the advanced in the prophetic.


• Practice in small groups creates a place where such things become normal. We can grow in confidence and experience aspects of God's kingdom that are not always a reality in our home church. Therefore, they are a good way to establish a prophetic culture.


• Positive prophetic experiences in a safe environment cause our faith to grow and equip us to walk in our gifts in other places with the expectancy that God is going to move through us.


• Often we fail to hear God's voice because we do not know how God is speaking to us. Prophetic activities broaden our understanding and sensitivities to the way God uses to talk to us.


• Prophetic activation exercises are meant to equip with practical tools for hearing the voice of God. Eventually you will be able to utilize those tools in every sort of situations: during ministry time at your local church, in everyday life conversations with others, while writing emails or simply praying for others in your private time with the Lord. They will help you flow in the prophetic in your everyday life.


• Most importantly, prophetic activation groups provide a place where you can hear the voice of a loving God who so desires to share His love with us. In those places, we experience how much He loves us while we minister to others and others minister to us. This will tremendously refresh and deepen our personal relationship with God. Becoming a friend of God, being able to hear His voice and having real conversations with Him – that is what it is all about.

Basic Activation Exercises – Activating the Prophetic

• This is a list of some basic activation exercises which are good to start with. They also resemble the most common channels through which God talks to us.


• The majority of those exercises focus on one specific channel of how God talks to us. We need to realize that by doing so in practice we are not limiting God but sensitizing ourselves to specific ways in order to grow more comfortable and confident in them. Still we don't want to pick our favorite way long-term. Although for a season God may use one or another way more, limiting ourselves to our favorite method will eventually cause us to miss much of what He has to say. In His creativity, God likes to use all kinds of ways to talk to us.


• Using Item – Choose a certain theme as a guideline for this group exercise (color, season, room, movie-character, comic-character, bible-character, book of the bible, form of water, …) and tell it to the group. Then everyone asks God what specific item within this topic the person on their right represents (for instance color → red) and then ask Him why (prophetic interpretation).


• Basically we ask: 1) Jesus, what color is the other person like? 2) Why? What does that mean?


• I found that this is the easiest way to get started in the prophetic for those who are completely new because it already limits the options down to a few. Often we don't hear God's voice because we don't tune in. Limiting the options helps us to know what to tune in to and what we can expect God to talk to us. However, reducing the choices for the first step does not at all narrow down what God eventually says in the second step.


• This is not manipulating God. It's taking the first steps. A toddler is still walking even though he is holding onto the hand of the father. It's completely the same here. It's a sort of prophetic “walking aid” and God knows we need it especially in the beginning.


• Scripture – Ask God that He would give you a Bible verse for the other person. Then ask Him for one specific aspect/word/part of this verse that He highlights for the one you are ministering too. Then ask Him what He wants to tell the other person through it.


• One of the pitfalls with this option is that people start to preach the Word. We don't want to explain the other person what the Bible verse means but what God wants to say through this verse to the other person. It's a prophetic exercise in which we want to hear the personal message that is on God's heart right now specifically for the one we are ministering to.


• Picture – Ask God to give you an inner picture (or vision = animated picture) for another person. Ask Him what He wants to tell them through it.


• Emotional Feeling – Ask God to let you feel a certain emotion. Then ask God what it means for the other person, what exactly He wants to say through that.


• Physical Sensation – Ask God for a physical sensation and then what it means.


• God often uses this way to highlight body parts that He wants to heal in the one we are praying over. We might for instance feel a sudden light stinging pain in our left knee while praying for someone. God might want us to pray for the left knee of the other person. As you simply share it don't be surprised when they confirms that they have complications with this specific body part. This happens very often because God likes to raise our faith through such an occasion.


• Word of Knowledge – This means we want God to give us a specific word of phrase for the other person – like a word suddenly popping into our minds. This can be anything and talk about anything (for example a street name, a number, one single word, a sentence, even a song). In a second step ask God what He wants to tell the other person through it.


• Don't forget that it can have literal and/or symbolic meaning.


• God can refer to past, present and/or future.


• Sometimes it can be enough to share what we got and the person we are ministering to will directly understand what it means, especially if we simply don't seem to get an interpretation.


• Even though God likes symbolism and enjoys speaking even through very strange things, don't get weird here.

Intermediate Activation Exercises – Improving the Prophetic

• The purpose of these intermediate exercises is to progress in the use of the prophetic. They are based on the basic methods we have learned in the previous chapter but intend to help us improve specific areas of the prophetic (which is underlined in each description).


• Any Way – Here simply all of the above methods (the basics) are applicable. The purpose of this exercise it to help us stay sensitive to multiply channels at the same time as we eventually don't want limit our focus to one single way while ministering prophetically.


• Favorite Way Excluded – This exercise is very similar to the last one, but here everyone is asked to purposefully exclude the channel through which they hear God speak most easily. As mentioned earlier we all are tempted to pick our favorite method. This exercise is supposed to avoid that by encouraging us to grow more comfortable in the ways different to those we prefer. It will help us to be more attentive to the variety of the ways God talks to us.


• Journaling – Ask God for a short prophetic sentence, message, just one sentence with no more than 20 words. Write it down. Then ask God to highlight one single word of this sentence and ask God for more understanding of this word. Integrate those meanings into the start-sentence. The purpose of this exercise is to pursue deeper understanding of what God shows us, rather than just delivering the message right away. We want to value what God shows us and seek Him for more understanding of what He speaks before we move on to something new. By doing this we increase accuracy and impact of the one prophetic word we give.


• This exercise can be repeated with the same beginning sentence.


• Meditation in Silence – This exercise is very similar to the last but a bit more advanced in that it skips the writing down part. We ask God for a prophetic message, picture or whatever and then meditate on it for 5 or 10 minutes. We don't give it right away. We explore it with Jesus by asking Him to show us more about every single aspect of what He initially showed us. The purpose of that is to help you stay focused on one prophetic word for a longer time and to go deeper in it. You will be surprised about how comprehensive your prophecy will be after 5 or 10 minutes.


• “God, what do You think of me?” – Everyone takes a sheet of paper and a pen. We start with writing down a personal question (a very good one is “God, what do You think/feel when You look at me?”) and then we get quiet, listen and write down everything that comes to our minds. The purpose of this exercise is to grow more comfortable hearing God for ourselves which will tremendously enrich our private time and relationship with Him.


• One of the biggest challenges in hearing God's voice is to discern it from our own thoughts. This is what God's voice sounds most similar to because the Holy Spirit dwells within us and so He speaks from the same direction that our own thoughts come from.


• Many will hardly write down anything because they constantly think it's their own thoughts. They block themselves. A much better approach is to write down EVERYTHING that comes to our mind after asking Jesus the question. Don't try to discern right away, just write it all down. Don't look at the paper for a day or two and then read it again. It will be much clearer to you now what was really God and what He was not.


• Unknown Person – Often we are tempted to prophesy out of our knowing and what we see. Especially among friends, prophesying can be a tough thing because we already know them so well. This exercise is meant to avoid this pitfall and to help us get comfortable in using the prophetic without knowing the person.


• Method 1 – The leader will secretly assign one person in the group as the target for prophetic ministry. However, the leader won't tell anyone who he or she picked. Then the group begins to prophesy over person xyz not knowing who they are actually ministering to. Only at the end the leader will reveal who was chosen. However, often the assigned person will have already realized by that point that they were prophesying over him or her.


• Method 2 – This is just another method for the last exercise: In an even-numbered group let everyone draw a lot with a number that they will keep a secret. This will be their number. Then collect the lots and let everyone draw another number. This will be the number they will prophesy over. (Repeat if someone drew their own number.) Now everyone has time to ask God for a prophecy for the second number they drew. When sharing, let one after another say first the number and then give the prophecy (without the addressed number revealing that it's them). Only when everyone finished, let people reveal which number they were and how accurate the prophetic word was they received.

Advanced Activation Exercises – Growing In The Prophetic

• This collection contains exercises that are best done with a group that has already had some experience in the prophetic as these exercises combine aspects of the basic and intermediate activations. They tend to be much closer to prophetic ministry as it may occur in a group or even congregational context and will empower us to flow with others in corporate settings.


• Building on Prophecies / Team Ministry – The previous exercises were primarily done in groups of 2. However, you can open them up for team ministry. Out of the group of two, the partner publicly gives a prophetic word for the other person. After that, it will be open for everyone to build on that specific word by adding meaning, depth, interpretation, application and so on. This will help grow in ministering prophetically as a team to one person.


• Receiving Corporate Words – Instead of ministering to individuals, this activation is about speaking to an entire group. This can also include that the word is addressed to individuals within the group but is primarily focused on the group as a whole. It's similar to when a pastor gives a word of knowledge from the front and then invites people to come up for prayer. Here the prophetic word can be instructions to pray for a certain person in the group (or anything else), a certain corporate word of wisdom regarding the group, or even a specific word addressed to a person within the group (even when it's not clear yet who it is). This exercise is designed to help us make the step from ministering to individuals to ministering to a group or entire congregation.


• Prophetic Prayer – Form groups of two (at best people who don't know each other so well). One person is praying the other is receiving. The praying person gets silent and listens to what God is saying. Then, without the other person having said anything, you just pray what you feel God is showing to you over the other person. Take time to focus again, be silent and hear again during the time of prayer. It's ok if there is silence for some time. Do this for 5 minutes, then switch. This is less about prophesying than about growing in prophetic intercession (= praying what God tells us to pray), which will enable us to pray over others more powerfully.


• Focus on “How” - Deliver a prophetic word and watch the way you deliver it, try to do it as integratively as possible (voice, face expressions, gestures and so on). The purpose of this exercise is increasing coherence of what we say and how we say it, thus making it easier for people to receive our prophecy and decreasing doubt and distraction. We don't only want to deliver a message, but also the heart of God (feelings, hope, mercy, love, …) that He carries towards this person.


• Free Prophetic Ministry to Volunteers – You are going to prophesy as a team of 3 or 4. Previously, find people outside of your group and ask them if they would volunteer for your group for 10 minutes and in return receive a blessing. As a team minister prophetically to the volunteer for 10 minutes, while all the volunteer has to do is sit and listen. Place specific emphasis on flowing together as a team and building on each others' prophecy as long as the Spirit speaks. Pray before the session and after it. Give the volunteer the ability to give feedback and ask questions if necessary.


• For reasons of memory, ease, later testing and accountability it is recommended to have one person in your group write down the main points and hand it to the volunteer at the end. Even better is to record the whole session and send the audio file to them.


• It needs good preparation and empathy as you begin to minister to people who perhaps have never experienced prophetic ministry before. Shortly explain what you are going to do and the biblical foundation for it. Reduce prejudices and make them feel comfortable.


• Please review the basic principles and values for prophetic ministry before you take steps outside of the safe boundaries of your practice group.

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How To Mark Your Bible

One of the most glorious sights is a Bible stained and battered by decades of heavy usage. But how do you mark and underline your Bible in a way that makes sense and is useful? Here I try to give some helpful advice.

Purpose - Benefits of Marking Your Bible

• Quicker Navigation – You will be able to identify important information, verses and facts quicker and more easily when you visually highlight them.


• important verses (for you personally or within a certain chapter or passage)


• important aspects (like keywords, references, etc.)


• specific categories (like prayers, verses that talk about His love for us, etc.)


• Keep Insights – You can preserve and quickly regain important insights that you have gained by reading certain verses or passages if you highlight and connect specific words or add further information.


• Personalize your Bible – Let your Bible be an expression of your personal walk and relationship with Jesus as you underline those things that He speaks and highlights to you and that you worked and prayed through on your journey into His heart.

Advice - Helpful Tips For Marking Your Bible

• Systematic – Try to create a system of which colors and shapes you want to use for which purpose. Without a system we tend to underline things that stick out with the pen that is at hand, no matter which color it is. That's not wrong but our Bible will sooner or later be an explosion of rainbowish lines which makes the whole thing rather useless. Try to come up with a system that actually enhances your studies and devotional times.


• Consistent – When you got a system, stick to it as it will be most effective if you do so. That's why it's wisest to figure it out as early as possible, actually before you start.


• Economical – Underline only the most important things. Many always underline the whole verse but that's often not the best way. It really improves usefulness to only underline keywords or phrases because it will be easier to find them again and it gives you freedom to highlight other parts of the verse differently when you identify other aspects as well.


• Specific – It can be helpful to vary your system for certain books as needed so as to have different or additional categories in specific books. For instance you can use a certain color for prophetic fulfillments of Jesus in the Gospels but you might not need this category in, say, James so you can give this color a different meaning there.


• Creative – Feel free to be creative and vary as necessary to enhance usefulness.


• Personal – Use one color (or more) for your personal life focus concerning ministry, something that has to do with your overall ministry calling that Jesus has given you. It will tremendously enhance your studies while you are progressing on the journey into being used by the power of the Holy Spirit on the basis of the Word of God.

Options – Some Ways To Mark Your Bible

• Colors – Use colors that are easily distinguishable. This will limit the numbers of options you have. The most useful colors are red, green, yellow, blue, purple, orange, black, gray, pink. You can also use their dark and light shades if they don't look too similar. Also, with colors you can create sub-categories to all the following ways.


• Underlining – The most simplistic approach: a line below a word, phrase or verse.


• Highlighting – Colorize the background of words, phrases or verses. Beware of too dark colors as they might make it hard to read the words you highlighted. Has strongest effect so it might be most useful for keywords. Can be combined with underlining – different colors are possible.


• Circling – Draw a circle around a word, phrase or verse. Works best for single words or short phrases on the same line.


• Framing – As opposed to circling, framing has sharp corners. Can be easily used for entire verses and even longer passages.


• Symbols – Next to the text or on the margin. There are no limits in creativity when you use symbols. They can be most helpful to categorize verses or passages. Some possible symbols: cross, star, blood, bread, cloud, crown, hands, heart and so on.


• Annotations – Short notes next to the text or on the margin. For example to put down the meaning of a metaphor used in a verse or a reference to another text. Of course, often there will not be enough space to put longer notes.


• Connections – Connections between words, phrases or verses through a line, arrow or a different kind of connection. This only works on the same page and when close together since you don't want to have lines crossing through two whole pages.

The Way I Do It – For Your Inspiration

• Now you might be wondering where to start. So here I want to give you a quick overview of my own method which you can adapt or use as inspiration for your own.


• This is my working system. It's a continually developing system. I'm not fully pleased with it yet, but so far it's the most useful to me.


• Underlining and the Main Meaning of the Colors


• Red – Divine Romance


• Containing aspects: God's love for me, my love for God, relationship with God, bridal paradigms (example: Is 62:4)


• This is my primary category to which all else are subordinate (meaning if they fit into this category as well as in others, they will most likely get red). I want to be able to quickly identify verses that connect my heart with Him and His love.


• Blue – Knowledge of God


• Containing aspects: knowing God, pursuing God, God's character, names, attributes, emotions that aren't already covered by Divine Romance (example: Ex 34:6)


• Yellow – Promises & End-Times


• Containing aspects: God's promises both personal and eschatological (example: Ps 36:8)


• When there are “If.. then...”-promises, then only the “then”-part is yellow.


• Orange – Ministry


• Containing aspects: ministry, the second great commandment, servanthood, things the Bible exhorts me to do, the “if...”-part of promises (example: John 15:10)


• Green – Identity in Christ


• Containing aspects: my legal status as belonging to Jesus (apart from Divine Romance), my identity in Christ before God, the enemy and the world (example: Rom 8:1)


• Purple – House of Prayer Reality


• Containing aspects: worship, gift of prophecy, prophetic worship, prayer, fasting, intercession, Sermon on the Mount lifestyle, Tabernacle of David, temple (example: Is 56:7)


• This is my personal ministry category functioning as the overall class for my life focus in ministry.


• Circling Words


• I often circle single words in the specific color to identify key-words or sequences within a verse or passage. It helps me to find verses faster and to quickly recapture the basic statements of a passage.


• Framing Verses


• I only frame verses or passages, never single words. I often use it when there is a culmination of attributes and I would need to underline most of it. So I only frame the whole passage and am free to use other colors as needed to underline in the passage.


• I slightly varied the use of the colors for framed verses.


• Blue – Longer passages that talk about the beauty of Jesus, His character and spiritual makeup (example: Rev 1:13-18)


• Green – As a counterpart to blue focusing on Jesus, I frame passages green that talk a lot about my identity in Him (example: SoS 4:1-15)


• Purple – Prayers, both biblical and verses I often use as personal prayers, especially apostolic prayers in the New Testament (example: Eph 3:16-19)


• Annotations


• I use annotations for the following 4 reasons: 1) short notes, 2) references similar verses, 3) reference or short explanation to symbols, words and phrases, 4) reference to original text when another Bible verse is quoted (very common in NT)


• When helpful, I use connections, but I haven't even started using symbols as I have still a lot of other options to extend the system I use.

How do you mark your Bible? Inspire us and others by sharing your method with us.

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Until Dawn - Seeking God in the Night Hours

Seeking God at night is a very powerful biblical principle that can revolutionize our relationship with God by loving Him in an extravagant way. In the Scriptures there were many people who consecrated their nights for the pursuit of the Holy One (Samuel, David and other psalmists, Anna the prophetess, Jesus, Paul, ...). And it was in those hours that many powerful God-encounters took place.

The Glory and Power of Seeking God at Night

1. Seeking God when no one else does – Most people sleep at night. This simple opportunity to be one of the few who are still awake, and that we belong to the very small percentage of those who consecrate this time to Him does a lot in our soul and especially in His heart. It is a special time to Him and can become the same to us.
   
   
2. When there is less distraction – Night is the time when activities and business almost stop and when we are a lot less prone to distractions. It is much easier to focus when there are less alternatives to spend our time.
   
   
3. When there is more temptation – The night hours are strongly associated with increase of sin, particularly immorality, violence and drunkenness. Moral barriers vanish for the sake of fleshly desires as darkness increases the hope that immoral behavior might remain unrecognized. Actively pursuing God in this period will not only strengthen our love for righteousness and ability to walk in it, we are also empowered to wage war against those forces of darkness that are active at night. Jesus highlighted the concept of watching especially in times of trials (Mk 14:38; Lk 21:36).
   
   
4. Building a secret history with God – Seeking Him at night alone is a powerful way to seek Him in secret, when there is no one watching, no one noticing your consecration, love and fervency, the sacrifices you make – where there is simply no reward by human beings. You build a secret history with Him that only you and God know of. He looks in secret because He loves it when things are done only for Him and only because of Him. He's searching throughout the world to find people who are after Him.
   
   6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. (Mt 6:6)
   
   
5. A form of fasting – Sacrificing hours of sleep is a form of fasting and has similar effects on our soul and spirit: As we trade our (physical) strength for His, we become tenderized to the presence, voice and movement of God and position us to receive more from God.
   
   
6. Impacting circumstances in a powerful way – Extraordinary means have extraordinary results. Seeking God at night can have extreme effects concerning breakthroughs we fight for.
   
   25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened. (Acts 16:25-26)
   
   
7. Loving God in an extraordinary way – The most important reason and motivation for seeking God at night and what all the effort eventually is about is to experience his love and to love God more. It will radically deepen our relationship with Jesus, our love for Him as well as our confidence in our walk before Him.
   
   
1. Because He is worth it – We seek God at night because He is worth it. He deserves all of our time, not only the day hours but also those in the night. Even if there was no reward for us, He would still deserve all of our effort to draw near to Him at night.
   
   
2. Because we long for Him – We extend our pursuit of Him to the night hours because of a deep hunger for more of Him, knowing that He is the only one who can really satisfy. Hunger for more of Him is both the motivation and result of seeking Him at night. The hungry will become more. There are things reserved for those who seek extraordinarily, those who are desperate for Him.
   
   7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Mt 7:7)
   
   
3. Because He longs for us – Eventually we draw near to Him at night because He longs for us to be with Him. We seek Him as a response to His yearning desire for us, even at night.
   
   24 Father, I desire that they also … be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me … (John 17:24)
   
   37 And He came and found them sleeping, and said … Could you not keep watch for one hour? (Mk 14:37)
   
   

Various Types of Seeking God at Night

1. All-nighter – Staying up the whole night in order to seek Him. Normally a once in a while activity since we have to sleep sometime. It was a common practice of Jesus. - There is also the option to shift your whole lifestyle so that you sleep during the day and seek Him at night. Many people all over the world do that today. They devoted their whole lives to seek and serve God at night. They are commonly called “night watches”.
   
   36 But keep on the alert at all times, praying … 37 Now during the day He was teaching in the temple, but at evening He would go out and spend the night on the mount that is called Olivet. (Luke 21:36-37)
   
   
2. Staying up longer – Getting to bed later while spending more time with God at the end of the day.
   
   1 On my bed night after night I sought Him whom my soul loves … (SoS 3:1)
   
   
3. Getting up earlier – Rising up before sunrise to spend the first hours of the day with God. This can be done on a daily basis and is easily made a worthwhile habit. The morning hours are crucial for the quality of the entire day and the time of the day when we are most refreshed. Furthermore, the earlier you set this time for God the less likely it is to be occupied by other appointments. Being satisfied with the presence and love of God right at the beginning of your day will significantly change your life. The morning hours can become your most precious hours of the day. Jesus often arose before dawn to spend time in prayer. Many Godly people throughout history found it to be one of the most important and powerful habits of their life.
   
   147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words. (Ps 119:147)
   
   35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. (Mark 1:35)
   
   
4. Waking up in the middle of the night – Rising up in the middle of the night to spend an hour with Him or two. This might be done by setting an alarm. But often we also wake up on our own in the middle of the night (with or without dream) and it's actually God desiring to hear our voice in the middle of the night, calling us to seek Him. Especially if we feel wide awake, it's most likely that God woke us up because He wants us to spend time with Him. Few notice that reality and yield to the temptation to turn around and continue sleeping. He has all right to wake us up when He desires to spend time with Him us. We are His!
   
   62 At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You because of Your righteous ordinances. (Ps 119:62)
   
   9 And Eli said to Samuel, Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, Speak, for Your servant is listening. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 Then the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, Samuel! Samuel! And Samuel said, Speak, for your servant is listening. (1 Sam 3:9-10)
   
   
5. Contending for Godly dreams – Contending that God would visit us in the night through God-inspired dreams. It's a passive way, but still important and powerful reality. Encountering God in dreams goes way beyond receiving instruction from Him. The most powerful dreams we can get and contend for are divine encounters in which He thrills us with His glory. We do good in habitually praying that God would visit us in dreams every night (see also: Encountering God In Dreams).
   
   

How to Seek God at Night?

1. Seeking God at night does not primarily mean trading sleep for praying and reading the Word but trading sleep for encounter. Though we do those things, eventually it's not about spiritual activities but about being touched by Him and about touching His heart in response. If it's not about encounter, our pursuit will become hard, wearing and more a pain than a pleasure. This is true for all activities in the secret place regardless of the time of the day.
   
   
2. Actually everything you do in your secret time with God can also be applied to the night hours. But there are certain activities that the Bible highlights in a special way for the night (see also: What to Do in Your Time With God?).
   
   
3. Praying – The command to pray at all times (1 Thess 5:17) is equally true for the night. It is valid for all kinds of prayer.
   
   18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints. (Eph 6:18)
   
   
4. Fellowshipping with God – Seeking God just to be with Him and to dwell in His presence and talk to Him. It's searching Him for the knowledge of God, to know Him more intimately.
   
   11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. (Ex 33:11)
   
   6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. (Ps 63:6)
   
   
5. Meditation on the Word – Several verses of the Bible exhort us to meditate (think upon) the Word of God day and night and underline the immense blessings that go along with that.
   
   2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. (Ps 1:2)
   
   4 … Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. … (Ps 4:4)
   
   148 My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word. (Ps 119:148)
   
   
6. Seeking Him for instruction – As we extend our seeking and knocking into the night hours and participate in a form of fasting, we get more sensitive to God's voice and His revelation of wisdom and purpose to us. I believe the night hours are crucial in getting insight into His will and purposes.
   
   7 I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. (Ps 16:7)
   
   
7. Seeking Him for breakthroughs – Night hours are hours of powerful breakthroughs.
   
   25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, ... 26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened. (Acts 16:25-26)
   
   
8. Night watch – Prayer with a focus on intercession (against the work of the enemy in the night, for specific ministries, regions, the Body of Christ, Israel, other concerns).
   
   3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. (2 Tim 1:3)
   
   8 Now, will not God bring about justice for His elct who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? (Luke 18:8)
   
   
9. Worshiping and serving God – Staying up just to bless and serve God through worship and ministry (1 Chr 9:33).
   
   1 Behold, bless the Lord, all servants of the Lord, who serve by night in the house of the Lord! 2 Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the Lord. (Ps 134:1-2)
   
   

Practical Tips

1. Bright light – Avoid dim light even though it might create a comfortable atmosphere. It is important to use as much light as possible to prevent sleepiness from setting in. The brighter the light, the more awake we feel.
   
   
2. Stay engaged – Idleness and boredom are major reasons for falling asleep while seeking God at night. Try to stay focused in prayer, meditation, worship and so on.
   
   
3. Worship Music – Some cannot sleep when it's not completely quiet, others sleep better with music. Either way, I would recommend to create a prayer setting that includes worship music. It can help you to stay awake and engaged. And even if you happen to fall asleep, it's more likely to wake up in God's tangible presence when there's worship music playing.
   
   
4. Don't lie down – Don't get too comfortable, or you are more prone to fall asleep.
   
   
5. Coffee – This may sounds a bit unspiritual but it actually works for many to stay awake or to get you started when getting up early.
   
   
6. Keep moving – Instead of sitting it can be helpful to walk around from time to time. It makes it easier to stay engaged in prayer and you might also find it hard to fall asleep while walking.
   
   
7. Join others – Certainly seeking God at night is more than a corporate reality, but doing it together can be very powerful and even helpful when approaching this concept for the first time. You can encourage one another and help to stay awake. In addition, Jesus promises a special level of His presence to Godly fellowship.
   
   20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. (Mt 18:20)
   
   
8. Love your neighbors – To be taken literally. Depending on your housing conditions you might not be able to do things at loud volume like worshiping with guitar or loudly proclaiming the Word of God. As God is love and love is the highest goal of God's command, we should never ignore those who want to sleep – for their sake and for our own.
   
   

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Living in Constant Awareness of God's Immediate Presence

These are thoughts that have been moving me for some months in a very special way. The more I meditate about it, the more I believe that this topic is a very crucial key for our relationship with God and our whole existence. I believe it's just the very beginning of a truth that has the power to radically transform our life and I feel like I've not even reached the outer courts of it. I hope and pray that your heart will be enlightened by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation as you read these lines.

God's Omnipresence

1. Scripture is very clear about the fact that God is omnipresent, meaning everywhere, all surrounding, without exception in every place at every time. He is everywhere at once.
   
   23 Am I a God who is near, declares the Lord, and not a God for off? 24 Can a man hide himself in hiding places so I do not see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill the heavens and the earth? declares the Lord. (Jer 23:23-24)
   
   
2. God is omnipresent in all the universe. There is no place where God does not exist and no place where He exists less or more. God does not have to be extraordinarily big in order to encompass the universe, rather the universe with all of its vast dimensions cannot outrun God. Not God is in all the universe, the universe is in God.
   
   
3. God's omnipresence is an essential characteristic of God deeply connected with His whole being.
   
   
1. “I Am” - God calls Himself Yahweh meaning “I Am” (Ex 3:14-15). Of course this is not only to be understood time-wise (Rev 4:8) but also regional.
   
   
2. Immanuel – In the Old Testament, Jesus is announced under this name meaning “God is with us” (Is 7:14).
   
   
4. God has a general desire to be close to human beings. This is what He created us for and why He created us in His image.
   
   24 Father, I desire that they … be with Me where I am … (John 17:24)
   
   27 That they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. (Acts 17:27)
   
   

Universal Presence vs. Manifest Presence

1. There is no place where God does not exist and no place where He exists less or more, for nothing can exist apart from Him or outside of Him. The New Testament highlights in an emphasized way that there is no place where God is more present (John 4:20-23). There is no difference in the level of God's presence in general. We call this universal presence.
   
   7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. (Ps 139:7-8)
   
   
2. Still there are times when we experience God's presence in a stronger way. God is always with us (universal presence) but His presence is not always tangible (manifest presence). However, this is not due to God decreasing and increasing His presence but fully depends on our perception of His presence. Manifest presence is nothing else but realized universal presence and is caused by us becoming aware of the fact that God is near.
   
   
3. Our cry that God would come closer, would draw us nearer and increase His presence is totally legitimate as it is a cry for God to make His presence manifest, to let us be fully aware of His nearness until we actually start to feel it. But it is a false and destructive assumption that God is close at times and sometimes He is not. We don't cry out to draw someone near who already and always is! We're asking for growth in our awareness, for a more perfect consciousness of the divine presence.
   
   
4. Seasons in which God intentionally withdraws His presence are never characterized by God being absent. He is still with us, but it is harder for us to connect with this truth at the heart level and to really feel His closeness.
   
   
5. God's presence is promised to believers (Mt 28:20) and unbelievers alike (Acts 17:27). But the believer, as He believes and expects God to be with him or her, is much more likely to experience God's manifest presence.
   
   
6. We need to move from universal presence to manifest presence which means from unrecognized presence to a never ceasing awareness that He is with us in an immediate and deeply personal way. With our sensitivity for His nearness grows our experience of Him. If we get this truth, it will totally revolutionize our lives and relationship with God. Many Christians believe that He is always there, but they live as if He wasn't, not having pondered the depths of this truth so that it would transform the way they live, pray, worship and so on. We need revelation of His presence in our lives, not only in general but in particular situations. It's one of the most powerful truths for the human heart. Many problems and struggles will be settled as we connect with this truth deeply.
   
   

His Gaze - Understanding His Presence in Our Lives

1. In order to live in constant awareness of God's presence, it's not enough to know that He is with us but also how He is with us and what He is doing. The Bible reveals those two important principles of God's immediate presence: 1) He is always right next to me, not only far up in the sky, 2) He is watching me with pleasure and 3) He is wooing me in His jealousy.
   
   
2. Principle #1: He is always right next to me.
   
   
1. The Scripture teaches that God is not only present everywhere in the universe, but they put an emphasis on the truth that He is always right next to us, at our side, unbelievably close to our heart, in fact closer than we are to ourselves.
   
   8 … Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Ps 16:8)
   
   23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. (Psalm 73:23)
   
   
2. In practice, most Christians think of God as being “in heaven” which is a biblical truth (2 Chr 20:6; Mt 6:9), but it's only one side of it and can leave us with a lacking sense of His presence and missing confidence in prayer and worship. God is not only generally present, He is present for us, for you personally.
   
   
3. We should stop thinking of God as being somewhere up in the heavens somehow hearing our voice. He is literally by our side. Always. Accepting that God is actually in the same room right now, not just somewhere up there, radically changes the way you pray. Our voice is heard while He is sitting there longing to hear what we have to say. Our words do not fade silent on their far journey to heaven, but they reach him right away. At the same time, what you say and how you say it will change because you're no longer talking towards the ceiling.
   
   
4. Practically: When you pray, worship, minister, just throughout the day, picture Jesus right next to you. When you walk, meditate on the fact that He's walking with you right at your side. When in your room, imagine Him sitting on your chair. In the movie theater, He's having the seat right next to you. There are unlimited applications of this truth to our specific everyday life situations. Realizing that Jesus is literally at our side throughout our day will dramatically increase our awareness of His presence.
   
   8 I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. (Ps 16:8-9)
   
   
3. Principle #2: He is gazing at me with pleasure.
   
   
1. Living in God's presence is inextricably linked with living before His eyes, living in the audience of One. He is not only right next to us somehow distracted being busy with other stuff, but His eyes are fixed on us. We have His full attention.
   
   
2. Even though God is watching believers and unbelievers alike (Prov 15:3; Ps 33:14), there is an important difference in the fact that God actually enjoys watching those who love Him and delights in them. It is crucial to realize that His main interest in looking at us is not to be able to see every mistake we make, but to take pleasure in His creation that moves Him.
   
   18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness. (Ps 33:18)
   
   4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people … (Ps 149:4)
   
   11 Then the King will desire your beauty. Because He is your Lord, bow down to Him. (Ps 45:11)
   
   
3. Even when we are sleeping, He stays close to us, watching and taking delight in us as we sleep.
   
   3 … He who keeps you will not slumber. (Ps 121:3)
   
   
4. Principle #3: He is wooing me with jealousy.
   
   
1. God's activity exceeds mere watching of us. God is not content with only seeing us, even though He takes pleasure in the people who love Him, He also wants to get our attention even more and win our hearts. His presence and His jealousy go hand in hand. As He is with us, He is involved in everything that concerns us and deeply committed to our hearts. As He is with us, He is the all-consuming fire longing for our pure and undistracted devotion. We won't truly understand His presence unless we understand His commitment. Both belong together.
   
   24 For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. (Deut 4:24)
   
   2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her. (Zec 8:2)
   
   
2. God is not passive! Often, we don't have any problems with realizing God's presence and activity in our past and with expecting it for the future. However, in the current situation we often don't really know what He's doing, where He is or whether He is involved in our lives at all. We need to realize that God is the God who IS involved in our lives right now in various ways and that it's really on His heart to do so. Becoming aware of this fact will open our eyes to notice it.
   
   6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Hebr 11:6)
   
   
5. Living in constant awareness of God's immediate presence means living in the audience of One which includes understanding 1) that He is right at my side and always close to me at a personal and intimate level, 2) that He is watching me all the time and really delights in me as He gazes upon me, and 3) that He is actively and deeply involved in my life, orchestrating things and situations even right now in order to draw my heart closer to His.
   
   
6. His presence, gaze and involvement are inextricably linked and foundational biblical principles when desiring to live in constant awareness of God's immediate presence. Eventually, they tell us of a God who is a passionate and jealous lover that cannot take His eyes off of us and just never wants to miss our presence. That is the reason He created us and His motivation to give us eternal life: He loves us so much that He wants to spend the rest of His time with us.
   
   

Our Gaze - Increasing God's Manifest Presence in Our Lives

1. The level of awareness of God's presence in our lives will greatly impact the way we live, pray, worship, treat other people and deal with problems. It seems to be just a small piece of truth, yet it will revolutionize our spiritual journey to a degree that only a few others will. That's why it is so important to get this right and live in deep revelation about this fact.
   
   
2. In order to experience greater measures of His presence, we need to return His gaze by actively living before His gaze, to “set the Lord continually before us”. It's not enough that He is present, but in order for it to become manifest presence we need to become and continually stay aware of it.
   
   8 I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. (Ps 16:8-9)
   
   
3. The level we live and experience God's presence throughout our everyday life is therefore defined by the level with which we actively gaze back at Him and remind our heart of the fact of His presence, gaze and involvement.
   
   
4. How to practically connect with the truth of God's immediate presence in our life:
   
   
1. Thankfulness – increases awareness of His presence. Doubts will vanish as we proclaim and thank Him for the truth of His presence, gaze and involvement (jealous love).
   
   
2. Meditation – increases understanding of His presence. Here I just introduce basic facts about His presence. There is so much more to it. Mining the depths of this truth will sharpen our understanding and give us divine revelation that will further transform our lives.
   
   
3. Reminding Ourselves – increases time consciously spent in His presence. This is the most important aspect when desiring to constantly live in God's presence. It is important to remind ourselves of His presence over and over again throughout the day in order for it to become manifest presence. It means constantly aligning ourselves in our everyday life and all its tasks, situations and troubles that He is with us. In order to live in His presence, we need to learn to pause in those moments when there is nothing to do and even while we are busy with other things. This is the hardest but most foundational practice we need to do. It will take much time to establish this as a habit, but saints like Brother Lawrence prove that it is possible and within our reach.
   
   
4. Obedience – increases confidence in His presence. Our expectation of His presence will radically grow as we walk in the things He tells us and obey His will. We will not only feel closer but also receive this truth much more easily than when we live in compromise.
   
   

The Effects of Living Before His Gaze

1. This whole topic of His immediate presence and living in constant awareness of us will tremendously impact our lives. Here I want to outline a couple of effects and implications, but there are many more to it.
   
   
2. If God is literally at my side right now, then...
   
   
1. Concerning prayer – A. W. Tozer brought it to the point in his book Pursuit of Man: “Payer loses its unmeaning quality and becomes a sweet conversation with Someone actually there.”
   
   
2. Concerning my actions – They are relevant and matter right now, not even for eternity. If He is watching then it's in my hand to move Him right now. I have the ability to touch God's heart right now and it is possible for me to receive immediate feedback of what He feels. Whatever I do has immediate effect on His heart and emotions. We'll actually live more towards eternity when we realize that our actions matter now and not only some day.
   
   
3. Concerning sin – I am not alone. Sin loses its attraction when I notice that someone is watching (Job 34:21-22). The more we live in awareness that God's eyes are on me, the less we will be tempted to sin. Just try it when temptation sets in. When realizing that the God full of love and compassion, full of power to deliver, abounding in gifts for you that satisfy you more than anything else, is with you, sin loses its attraction. Why would you draw from a lesser thing, if you realize you have the choice to draw from God right now. Likewise, not living in the awareness that He sees me or just the ignorance of the fact that He is with me can cause sin to increase.
   
   12 Then He said to me, 'Son of man, do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are committing in the dark, each man in the room of his carved images? For they say, 'The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land.'' (Ez 8:12)
   
   11 He says to himself, 'God has forgotten; He has hidden His face; He will never see it.' (Ps 10:11)
   
   
4. Concerning fear – Deeply connected to the truth of His presence and involvement is that fact that He is in control in our life and all its situations and challenges. If we realize that He really sees then it will change the way we view our struggles and release confidence even in the hardest seasons.
   
   8 I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. (Ps 16:8-9)
   
   5 Do not fear, for I am with you. … (Is 43:5)
   
   
5. Concerning the fear of man – Fear of man is being aware that people are watching which makes you want to please them. On the other side, the fear of God is being aware that He is watching that makes you want to please Him. Becoming aware that He is much easier to please and that He even delight in you in your immaturity and imperfection will cause you to stop searching the approval from human beings.
   
   

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