being prayed over

[Floatingaxe]

Of course we are to lay hands on those who want to receive the baptism of the Holy spirit as the disciples did. Paul set the standard, we follow it. See the scripture reference I posted earlier.

I also know that people can receive the baptism all on their own, without the laying on of hands. But never fear a sister or brother assisting in prayer over you. We have not a spirit of fear, and I am seeing naysayers here operating in that spirit.

[cjrose]

I've been a christian since i was six and while the Lord has done amazing things in my life i still can't help but feel like I'm not what I was meant to be. I have never been prayed over to receive the Spirit. Is this something I need to have done, before I'm able to speak in tongues and heal? I'm so confused about this whole issue because I know that Jesus lives in my heart, so it's not like I don't have God's power. If anyone has any advice on this issue I'd love to hear it.

I will just share my experience and hopefully you can gain some insight from it. When I accepted the Lord, and I remember it as if it were yesterday but in fact it was 1983. I was 23 years old. God, who knows me so well, every part of me and my thoughts, my heart and what I needed from Him to truly believe. When I stepped in to the light with the help of another Christian who took the time to talk to me about God, it's like it suddenly hit me and I understood everything I had heard before but I was in the dark as much as I may have believed in God. I did not know that I could have a personal relationship with Jesus. The moment I understood the truth of what doctrine I had been taught as a Catholic, brought me in to a light that is indescribable. I went from being a Catholic to a believer in Christ, Christian in a second and to prove to me that this was real, He filled me with the warmth and tingly sensation of the Holy Spirit entering my body through the top of my head to the tips of my toes and has dwelled there ever since.

Now when we stray from Gods path, we don't "feel" the Holy Spirit which convicts us of our sins/wrong doings but that does not mean He is not there. You just can't listen because the more you stray in to the world the further away from God you are even though His promise is that He will never leave us. I had been attending a non denonminational church and recieved God's awesome messages through the most wonderful pastor I have ever heard. It was not long after that that I re-dedicated my life in a ceremony of a second baptism. One of my choice. As babies baptized they still need to choose God's word. So I did have the Pastor lay his hands on me and pray and dunk me in to the pool of water. Submerged is more like it. I was surrounded by all those who were friends and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

And frankly, I once went to a very charasmatic church and for the first time heard others speaking in tongues and it kind of scared me. Yes, that may sound contradictory but it did. I had never heard it before. Speaking in tongues as I understand it is a way of praying to God so that satan cannot understand. And some have the gift and others don't. It's not that you have done wrong if you believe Jesus lives in your heart. It's that He may have other plans and most definately a purpose for you. For you are as special to him uniquely as we all are. He is that kind of God that has the power to give us each the individual attention we need and His timing is perfect. So I beg of you to pray and the more you pray, the stronger your faith, the stronger your faith, the more understanding you will recieve and be patient. It is in Gods time when He decides to use you and He will use you. As far as healing, I'm not sure what exactly you want. Healing was done by Jesus and there are false prohets out there that claim to be healers but God can heal you and you can heal others by your example of His love and your witnessing to them with conviction. If there is doubt in your eyes, it could be difficult. But some of us are meant to just plant the seeds, find good soil and you will know it by the HS and plant the seed. God will send another believer to come around and water it, help it grow. Don't be too hard on yourself. Prayer is the best way to communicate with out Lord and believe that He is listening and remember you have a purpose. Be a disciple and spread the word. He will be with you and the Holy Spirit will guide you and give you the words.

I hope this has helped. I will pray for you for God to touch your life so that you will be assured. Some people need a sign and others just simply believe. I needed that experience and He allowed me to have it. And as we grow in the Lord, you may one day find that you have a gift you never expected that you would have. And we do not deserve it but by His mercy and grace He gives abundantly.

[cjrose]

I've been a christian since i was six and while the Lord has done amazing things in my life i still can't help but feel like I'm not what I was meant to be. I have never been prayed over to receive the Spirit. Is this something I need to have done, before I'm able to speak in tongues and heal? I'm so confused about this whole issue because I know that Jesus lives in my heart, so it's not like I don't have God's power. If anyone has any advice on this issue I'd love to hear it.

You can only speak in real tongues and heal if God chooses to give you that gift, not if someone prays over you. They cannot give you the gift. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, ... ask of God directly. He may have given you another gift instead. Just because you may not have tongues or healing, does not mean you do not have the Holy Spirit. Do not seek just anyone to pray over you, as that could cause problems. It could be another spirit that comes instead. You do not need anyone to pray over you.

Well Lawyer you just summed up on one paragraph what took me three or four to write! :laugh:and I whole heartedly agree with your words. We were nearly parallel in our words and meanings but I tend to just keep writing when I feel moved. So thank you for simply confirming basically what I just spent 10 minutes on to try and explain

[Floatingaxe]

Absolutely, we do not allow people to willy-nilly lay hands on us. However, we do allow people of God to do so, leaders over us, intercessors, and those whom we absoultely know are Spirit-filled and led believers.

Of course the act of laying on of hands does not confer anything, but rather represents a joining together as one heart before the Lord. The Lord sees that and responds. We can lay hands on people and ask for healing or gifting or anointing, but when it comes right down to it--it is the heart of the receiver that determines receipt of the request--for the most part!

Sometimes it is the faith of others that the person receives also! So, it's all good!

[cjrose]

Absolutely, we do not allow people to willy-nilly lay hands on us. However, we do allow people of God to do so, leaders over us, intercessors, and those whom we absoultely know are Spirit-filled and led believers.

Of course the act of laying on of hands does not confer anything, but rather represents a joining together as one heart before the Lord. The Lord sees that and responds. We can lay hands on people and ask for healing or gifting or anointing, but when it comes right down to it--it is the heart of the receiver that determines receipt of the request--for the most part!

Sometimes it is the faith of others that the person receives also! So, it's all good!

When two or more are gathered in my name, I am with you. Does that mean He isn't with us when we pray alone?

Just threw that out there since it was on my mind and your post brought it to forethought.

[Floatingaxe]

He is with us even when we are alone! "The prayer of a righteous man avails much!" Where it speaks of the gathering of two or three in the name of Jesus Christ, that means the gathering of brethren to pray to some particular end, that we can be assured that He is there, and He will respond.

Blessings, cjrose!

[LightofJesus]

He is with us even when we are alone! "The prayer of a righteous man avails much!" Where it speaks of the gathering of two or three in the name of Jesus Christ, that means the gathering of brethren to pray to some particular end, that we can be assured that He is there, and He will respond.

Blessings, cjrose!

I believe also that He is with us when we gather anywhere and we are gathered in His name. When we are lifting Him up with our praise and with our words He is there!! He is so wonderful in how He seems to work all things together for our good to those who love Him, Amen?

Blessings to you Floatingaxe!!

[cjrose]

A funny little side note to my post regarding rededicating my life to the Lord.

I wore white as a sign of purity but failed to realize that after they dunked me in the water my black leotard would be visible. Yikes!! I hope that's not a sign

[Floatingaxe]

It was a sign, alright!

[cjrose]

It was a sign, alright!

YOU!!! what sign, what sign? I needed to learn to dress myself better?