Do you want the Gifts of the Spirit? Then do this now

How do I receive Baptism in the Holy Spirit?

Receiving baptism in the Holy Spirit can be done in either of these two ways:

1. By attending a “Life in the Spirit” Seminar: This is a series of meetings that shows a person how to open their hearts to the Gift of the Holy Spirit.  The gift of tongues and Baptism in the Holy Spirit are conferred by the laying on of hands;
2. By approaching Jesus and asking Him directly for the Gift: This is done by following the basic steps in the next question.

What basic steps would I follow in order to receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit?

The steps are simple!  Whether in a group prayer service that features the laying on of hands, or in finding a quiet place where you will not be disturbed or create a spectacle, follow these steps:

1. Confess and repent of any sin in your life.  Forgive anyone who has hurt you, disappointed you, or falsely accused you.  Ask the Lord to remind you of any resentment you may be harboring, and release it through prayer.  If any of the sins that come to mind are MORTAL SINS – go to Confession and let Jesus forgive you in the Sacrament.  Those seeking the Gift of the Holy Spirit are encouraged to read Mark 11:22-26 and Ephesians 4:25-32:
   
   1. “And Jesus answered them, ‘Have faith in God.  Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.  Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you will receive it, and you will.  And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father Who is in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:22-26)
      
   2. “Therefore, putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.  Be angry, but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity the Devil.  Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need.  Let no evil talk come from your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in Whom you were sealed for the day of Redemption.  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God forgave you in Christ” (Ephesians 4:25-32).
      
2. As part of repenting of your sins and confessing them, also ask the Lord to reveal to you any involvement you may have had with the occult.  Repent and ask forgiveness, no matter how naive you may have been when you participated in any occult activity.  Receive God’s forgiveness, then renounce the Devil and all his works in your life.  The renewal of our Baptismal promises is a helpful way to do this! Some clarity on this step can be found in Deuteronomy 7:25-26; 18:10-12 and Acts 19:19-20.
   
   1. “The graven images of their gods you shall burn with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, or take it for yourselves, lest you be ensured by it; for it is an abomination to the LORD your God.  And you shall not bring an abominable thing into your house, and become accursed like it; you shall utterly detest and abhor it; for it is an accursed thing” (Deuteronomy 7:25-26).
      
   2. “There shall not be found among you any one who burns his son or daughter as an offering any one who practices divination, a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer, or a charmer, or a medium, or a wizard, or a necromancer.  For whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD; and because of these abominable practices the LORD your god is driving them out before you” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
      
   3. “And a number of those who practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.  So the word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily” (Acts 19:19-20).
      
3. If you have ever mocked or made fun of anyone who spoke in tongues – even in casual joking – ask God to forgive you for not honoring the Holy Spirit.  Repent of it now.
   
4. Now, ask God for the infilling of the Holy Spirit with the ability to pray in tongues. If this takes place in a prayer group setting, the laying on of hands may be a key feature.
   
5. Begin to speak in your “tongue language.”  After you have asked for the Gift, listen quietly within yourself…when you “hear” within you small, almost nonsensical sounds, start by opening your mouth and just begin to speak the syllables the Holy Spirit gives you to say.  Your lips may begin to tremble or your tongue to stammer, but don’t be fearful – just begin to speak out the sounds, though they may seem strange to you.
   
   1. One of the best ways to receive is through singing.  Many receive their prayer language by beginning to sing the simple chorus, “Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah…” and then singing syllables to that tune as the Holy Spirit enables them.
   2. Use your prayer language every day.  It helps you to stay close to the Lord and strengthens your spiritual life.  As you exercise this gift, you will become less and less self-conscious and more fluent in your prayer language, and your vocabulary will increase.  Remember, you cannot pray in your natural language and your new prayer language at the same time.
   3. Ask God to lead you to a Spirit-filled prayer partner to pray with you on a regular basis.  It should be a friend of the same sex or your spouse.  Praying with like-minded friends will encourage you to build up your faith as you see your prayers answered.

What benefits are there in acquiring this gift?

One feels more connected with the power and Presence of the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  This brings confidence in God, and it makes your Faith feel more alive; this feeling assists you in choosing good over evil!

Is there a prayer I can say that will lead me through these steps?

One can pray using his or her own words, or one can use the prayer formula below.  Just be sincere and mean what you are saying!

Prayer for the Gift of Baptism in the Holy Spirit

HEAVENLY FATHER, 

I acknowledge that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.  Thank you for the wonderful Gift of the Holy Spirit.  I confess to you my sin of (unbelief, unforgiveness, pride, selfishness…) and ask for your forgiveness and cleansing.  

Lord, please reveal any involvement with false religions or occult activity in my life (pause and allow time for God’s revelation to come to you).  I renounce any such sin (name witchcraft, astrology, use of the Ouija Board, fortune-telling, or whatever God has revealed), and ask You to forgive me.

Forgive me, Lord, for ever ridiculing the things of the Holy Spirit.  I acknowledge my need to receive this Gift in greater measure.  Help me to lay aside my prejudices and preconceived ideas about the work of the Holy Spirit, and receive all that You have for me.

Lord, I open my mouth to speak, and fully yield my will to You to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through me.  I expect the Holy Spirit to give me a new tongue.  By faith, I will worship you in a new language…

Amen.

Now, after the laying on of hands – or if you are saying this prayer in a private setting – listen carefully within yourself…when you hear strange, almost “gibberish-like” sounds, slowly repeat them out loud!  That is your “tongue language”!  The more you use it, the more “fluent” you become – and praying in tongues can lead to personal inner healing and, as you’ll soon discover, other charisms (pronounced kare-rizz-zims) or Gifts of the Holy Spirit!