Someone recently asked why they feel heat on the head when praying in tongues, and even at other times during their daily activities. They wanted to understand what this experience means and whether it carries any significance.
Now, it is normal for a praying-in-tongues believer to feel heat, even when they are not actively praying.
Whenever you feel heat while praying in tongues, it is simply the anointing of God. Divine anointing often comes with tangible sensations, and heat is one of the ways people experience it.
This sensation can occur in different parts of the body. Sometimes on the forehead, sometimes on the ears, hands, feet, or even in the belly. The location may vary depending on what the Holy Spirit is doing at that particular time.
Heat on the forehead
For example, when it is on the forehead, it is often associated with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, since the head is where thinking and mental processing happen.
When God is imparting wisdom or insight, you are most likely to feel heat in this area.
Personally, I experienced this a lot when the Lord was anointing me with wisdom for the teaching ministry He has called me to.
Heat on hands
When it is on the hands, it’s often connected to the healing ministry, especially for those called to lay hands on the sick. It also applies to those called in spiritual warfare.
In both cases, the hands are instruments of action which is why the sensation is felt there.
Heat on feet
When it is on the feet, it’s often linked to evangelism and being sent out to preach the gospel. This aligns with scriptures that speak about the “beautiful feet” of those who bring good news.
And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15)
Heat in the belly
When the heat is in the belly, it is often associated with intimacy and communion with God.
Remember, the spirit dwells in the belly and so just as a child is joined to its mother through the belly, we too are connected to God in our bellies.
John 7:38 says; ‘Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
The burning sensation within your belly is an indication that the Holy Spirit is strengthening your relationship with God.
Does everyone experience heat?
Not everyone experiences the heat or warm sensations in the same way or at the same frequency.
It may not happen every time, but as someone who prays in tongues, you should expect to experience it at some point, because it reflects the active work of the Holy Spirit within you.
If you desire to experience more of it, you can simply ask the Holy Spirit. You can pray, “Holy Spirit, increase Your anointing in my life,” or “Help me grow in this gift.”
The Holy Spirit will honor the invitation for He is gentle and does not force things on people.
There are moments where people don’t experience certain manifestations simply because they have not asked or positioned themselves to receive.
So when you ask, you are essentially giving Him room to work in that particular area of your life.
Let me share an example from church where a young lady noticed that others would fall under the power of the Holy Spirit, but she never did. She later prayed and asked God to also experience it, and the next time she was prayed for, she fell under the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prior to this, the Holy Spirit was not releasing enough power to make her weak enough to fall. It only happened when she desired and asked for the experience.
There are those who feel embarrassed or even offended when they fall under the anointing. Others prefer to remain composed and not be overtaken by emotion. The Holy Spirit respects this, but it can limit how much He is able to work in them.
What to do when you feel heat
So, what should you do when you experience that heat or burning sensation?
Generally, you don’t need to panic or do anything special. Just recognize it as the Holy Spirit at work in you.
However, it is also good to be sensitive and ask, “Lord, what are You doing in me at this moment?” because often, the anointing comes with purpose and assignment. When God anoints you, it is usually connected to something He wants you to do.
For example, if you are anointed for evangelism, you will feel a burden to reach even more people. If it is spiritual warfare, you will be drawn into deeper prayer and intercession.
If you are in the teaching ministry like me, the Lord adds you more knowledge to share with His people.
When you obey and release what God has given you, you create room for more grace and deeper anointing in your area of calling.
I hope this has been helpful. God bless you.