When you engage in a continuous five-hour session of praying in tongues, you are likely to encounter unusual experiences. These experiences can be frightening if you are not prepared for them.
In this article, I will delve into these encounters and provide an explanation to ensure that you are not caught off guard when they happen.
It is however important to note that there is no rule dictating that you must pray in tongues for five hours straight to have these experiences.
Some of these encounters can manifest even with just an hour of praying in tongues. The difference is in the intensity and frequency of the experiences.
Remember, the ultimate goal should always be to cherish the connection with Jesus over any supernatural encounters during your prayer in tongues.
There are twelve things that you may experience when praying in tongues for five hours non-stop. I will explain each of them.
1. A burning sensation in your navel
When praying in tongues for 5 hours straight, you may experience a warm sensation in your navel that spreads across the abdomen.
This burning feeling is often interpreted as the manifestation of the rivers of living waters, as described in the Book of John 7:38, where it is written that those who believe in Jesus out of them shall flow rivers of living waters.
Therefore, speaking in tongues for an extended duration can lead to the sensation of these spiritual rivers flowing within you.
2. Formation of oil or gold particles on hands
Some believers observe oil or gold particles on their hands when praying in tongues for an extended period.
Initially, your hands may start sweating, then the sweat turns slightly oily. The oil typically symbolizes God’s anointing upon you.
Other times, you may notice sparkling golden particles on your palms signifying the glorification bestowed upon you by God.
3. A burning sensation within your heart
During a long session of praying in tongues, it is likely that the Lord will communicate with you.
This communication is often accompanied by a burning sensation within the heart. Interestingly, there is a biblical account in Luke 24:32 to support this.
In this story, two men were walking when Jesus appeared to them and joined the conversation. However, they did not initially recognize Him. It was only after Jesus had broken bread and their eyes were opened that they realized their hearts had been burning while He spoke to them.
It is, in fact very common to experience a burning sensation in your heart when God communicates with you when you are praying in tongues.
4. Sounds in the spirit
During prayer, the Holy Spirit works to purify your ears, allowing you to hear spiritual sounds. As your ears become more purified, your ability to hear heavenly voices sharpens.
You may begin to hear things such as angels singing or even conversations between angels and God. This explains how some men of God are able to hear messages from the Lord in the spirit while preaching.
This is because they have reached a level of spiritual sensitivity where their ears can perceive the communication happening in the spiritual realm. They simply hear it and then relay the message to the rest of the congregation.
5. A burning sensation on the forehead
Whenever you engage in long periods of praying in tongues, it is common to experience a burning sensation on your forehead.
This sensation signifies a fresh baptism from God. In Acts chapter 2:4, we see that when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost, there was a fire that came upon them; specifically landing on their heads.
Therefore, when God is baptizing you, it is normal to feel the sensation on your head, indicating the presence of the Holy Spirit’s fresh fire upon you.
6. Body shaking and weakness
Praying in tongues for long may lead to weakness in your knees and joints. This weakness is usually as a result of the contention between the spirit and the body as described in the book of Galatians 5:17.
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
When you pray in tongues for long you strengthen your spirit which then overpowers your flesh. This is when you begin to feel physically weak.
7. Feeling lighter
A number of believers experience unusual sense of lightness during prayer. This concept is derived from the scriptures where it is written that praying in tongues will allow the Holy Spirit to assist in lifting the burdens that are holding us down.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
As a result, one will naturally begin to feel much lighter than before. Although the physical weight remains the same, the removal of sin and burdens creates a sensation of weightlessness within, symbolizing a new-found sense of freedom and relief.
8. A bright light
Normally, when we close our eyes, all we see is darkness. However, when you pray in tongues for an extended period, you will realize that closing your eyes does not result in darkness. Instead, you are met with a radiant light despite your eyes being shut.
This occurrence is a result of being in the presence of Jesus, as He proclaimed Himself to be the light of the world.
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:12
Whenever you find yourself in His presence, a luminous light is revealed even with your eyes closed.
9. Stuttering in speech
When you pray in tongues for an extended period, you will have heavenly encounters which will make you stutter in your speech.
There are certain things you witness and hear in the spiritual realm that you are not allowed to disclose, just as stated in 2 Corinthians 12:4, where Paul encountered things that were not permissible to be spoken by man.
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
2 Corinthians 12:4
If you attempt to discuss these matters, you will find that your tongue becomes heavy and you are unable to articulate them.
This is similar to what happened to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, after he received the news of his son’s birth.
His tongue became tied, preventing him from verbalizing his experience, and he could only communicate through gestures based on what he had seen.
And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
John 1:22
10. Sharp understanding and interpretation abilities
Praying in tongues for long hours allows the Holy Spirit to grant you the supernatural ability to comprehend and interpret various spiritual manifestations including prophecies, visions, and spiritual experiences.
This is alluded to by Apostle Paul in Ephesians 1:8, emphasizing the opening of one’s understanding.
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Through praying in tongues, the Holy Spirit will enlighten your understanding, enabling you to grasp numerous aspects in both the spiritual and physical realms.
11. Feeling of a warm cover around
When you immerse yourself deeply in the spiritual realm, you attract the presence of God who is usually accompanied by His angels. Naturally, the presence of these angels and God Himself will create a comforting warmth around you.
Additionally, this divine presence offers the protection that is mentioned in The Book of Job, where God placed a hedge of protection around Job and his possessions, preventing the devil from attacking him.
This protection provides a sense of security and warmth. This warmth is also a manifestation of God’s love, which He showers upon a believer while praying in tongues.
12. Great calm and peace
Finally, praying in tongues for hours results in a profound sense of peace in your life. As you continue to pray in tongues, you draw nearer to Jesus, who is known as the Prince of Peace.
It is stated in John 16:33 that while the world may bring tribulation, peace can be found in Jesus.
Therefore, by praying in tongues and deepening your connection with Christ, you will naturally be enveloped by the peace that He offers.
I hope this encourages you to engage in extended periods of praying in tongues. Peace!