Imagine this scenario: You are lying casually on your bed. You are the only person in the room and having nothing else to do, you decide to pray in tongues.
Everything feels normal. However, five minutes into praying in tongues, something strange happens. You open your eyes and see a man standing in your room.
The man is fashionably dressed, with neatly combed, shiny black hair. One part of you tells you that what you are seeing is real, while another part tells you it is mere imagination. For a moment you feel confused.
Yet, despite the confusion, the scene continues unfolding before you. Something within you tells you that the man you are seeing is the spirit of death. You cannot explain how you know this; you simply know it.
The man appears to be pulling a rope toward himself, but you cannot see what is at the end of the rope. Behind the man stands a large industrial fan. What you are seeing scares you, and you do not know how to react.
The experience vanishes just as quickly as it began. You are left with many questions. ‘What did I just experience? Why did I experience it? What am I supposed to do?’
This was the situation that one of my subscribers, Carol McDonell, found herself in.
Today, I will analyze the strange encounters people sometimes experience while praying in tongues. But before that, let me share something I personally experienced some time ago.
My intriguing encounter
I used to pray to God, asking Him to give me wisdom because I genuinely desired wisdom.
One night, I prayed in tongues as usual and went to bed. I fell asleep quickly and had a fascinating dream.
In the dream, someone came to me and began teaching me. I understood everything the person was teaching. The lessons were simple but profound. They ranged from love to wealth.
I was very excited to learn, but one thing bothered me. I did not know the identity of the person teaching me. Interestingly, I could not ask him. I do not know why.
When I woke up, I only remembered that someone had been teaching me, but I could not remember the details. I tried thinking about who that person might have been, but I couldn’t figure it out.
Eventually, I remembered a scripture I had read before that described a similar situation, although it did not provide the answers I was seeking.
That scripture is Judges 13:6; ‘Then the woman went to her husband and told him, “A man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome. I didn’t ask him where he came from, and he didn’t tell me his name. ‘
The scripture describes the moment when an angel of God appeared to Samson’s mother to deliver the news of Samson’s birth.
After that particular encounter, I embarked on a thorough research and learned a few things about encounters that occur when praying in tongues.
Encounters when praying in tongues
First, praying in tongues encounters may occur randomly. It is very difficult to predict when an encounter will happen. Sometimes the encounter appears as a vision while you are fully awake. Other times, it appears as a dream when you are deeply asleep. In rare cases, the encounter may be physical.
Secondly, understanding usually comes after the encounter has happened. When the encounter is unfolding, you are more likely to feel like a spectator. You may not be able to think, react, or reason clearly.
Thirdly, there is often no clear or direct action to take immediately after the encounter.
Lessons from my encounters
Having experienced several encounters, I learned the following lessons.
One, whether the encounter is a dream, vision, or physical experience, matters less. Usually, God chooses the best method to reach you.
A dream may be suitable for people who are too busy during the day, a vision may be suitable for people who struggle with doubt, and a physical encounter may be used for people who are more stubborn or resistant.
Two, the Holy Spirit will often help you understand the encounter after it has happened. Encounters are sometimes meant to leave you puzzled so that you seek understanding. That desire to understand places you in a better position to listen to the Holy Spirit.
Three, take the action that the Holy Spirit directs you to take after the encounter. That is usually the purpose of the encounter.
Some encounters are given simply to expose us to the spiritual realm, helping us become more comfortable operating in that realm.
Other encounters are meant to help fulfill God’s assignment in our lives. These encounters are designed to spark a desire in us to fulfill the will of God. Examples include the burning bush encounter of Moses and the road to Damascus experience of Apostle Paul in Acts 9:3-6.
Finally, some encounters are given so that we may know events beforehand. Classic examples are the visions shown to John in the book of Revelation and Daniel in the book of Daniel, chapter 7.
It is important to note that being sensitive to God’s leading and aligning your heart with His will are key to understanding the meaning of an encounter. I hope this has been helpful.
God bless you.
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