Want to learn more about soaking? Check out my in-depth teaching.
A Slightly Different Slant.
We use term Soaking with a Purpose and not just soaking because we believe the Holy Spirit will speak things to you during this time to be used many times in your life—revelations to be used with purpose and enable you to overcome on a consistent basis. The revelations He gives you will enable you to SWAP any self-motivated purpose you might have for His. Soaking with a Purpose is a “waste not— want not” kind of philosophy and takes advantage of every Word God speaks. There will be times of soaking strictly for rest and others will be times of great impartation of the Father’s heart and purpose.
Soaking is receiving a lot of attention these days and for good reason. We live in such a busy world with little time to rest or enjoy the presence of the Lord. So often , I hear people say they can’t seem to relax and be quiet without having myriads of things pressing in on them…This is where the practice of soaking in the presence of the Lord can help…where soaking can provide an anointed time of being with Him…On a personal level, the practice of soaking and what it means has transformed my view of worship music. Once you have practiced soaking you will be able to put yourself in a place of receiving while listening to worship/soaking music no matter what you are doing because you have come to understand the principle of “deep unto deep”…
Before we discuss what soaking is, lets define what it is not!
1. It is not working something up on your own, or trying to make something happen.2. Soaking is not a form of New Age meditation.
3. It is not like any form of hypnosis where one gives over their own will to that of another person…only to the Lord, Jesus Christ and the working of Holy Spirit.
Now that we have defined what soaking is not, lets briefly discuss what it is!
In a nutshell, soaking is an intimate time where we place ourselves in a posture of rest in the Lord’s presence while listening to anointed music created to impart to our spirit, and bypass our mind.Many have said this music must be soft and have no beat but I would argue that, at least from my perspective; the music you use will be varied according to personality, culture and so on…so try various types of music and see which one ministers to you the most. In light of this diversity we will endeavor to provide many different genres of music.
Soaking brings to life the Acts 17: verse 28 where it says we live and move and have our being in Him….After all, we are beings not doings. Soaking puts one in a position to connect with the Holy Spirit’s presence in profound ways.
John Belt likens it to going into surgery and being put under anesthetic and letting the Holy Spirit work in your heart like a surgeon would in an operating room. It is a time of resting in such a way, just like being under anesthetic, and letting God, like the surgeon, have His way. We do nothing but submit to the process and trust for a good outcome…After all, we become like what we partake of…
What are the benefits?
There are many benefits of soaking. It takes us from a mindset of work and performance to a place of worship and intimacy fueled by the deep need in all our hearts to be close to the Lord. Soaking allows us to forget self and experience the Lord on a personal and intimate level.Simply put, it is a time of just showing up without striving or having rules and regulations….a time to show up and let Him minister to us in the areas of forgiveness, healing, restoration…a time of affirmation, affection, strength…a place of hope where He confirms His Word over our life or commissions us to walk out destiny and purpose.
And like the Spirit hovered over the deep He will hover over us like the waste waters of the earth. His hovering presence prepares us to receive the seeds of life, love and destiny He wishes to plant in our hearts. A lifestyle of soaking will transform lives of anxiousness and restlessness into lives of peace and trust.
Soaking can be done alone or with a bible study or as a whole congregation.
No matter who you soak with or where you do it…the most important part of where and how you soak is based on what makes you comfortable…based on what allows you to be vulnerable to the Lord regardless…If you are not comfortable, it is easier to be distracted…
Getting Started…
The first thing I do is find a comfortable place… turn on the music…turn down the lights and prepare my heart…I prepare my heart by confessing any hindrances or sin standing between me and the Lord…I give the enemy no place to come and accuse me during this time. I ask the Lord to search my heart and see if there be any wicked way in me… (Psalms 139:22-24).I consciously separate myself from the issues of life and surrender my physical, emotional and spiritual being to receive from the Lord…I ask Him to come and reveal His heart to me, to love on me.
Remember…there is no need to force anything or rush during this time. Just relax and wait on Him. There is no limit on how long you can stay or how often you soak other than your schedule. You can come as often as you wish…He is always where you are…He is always waiting.
Like a sponge in need of water, I allow Him to saturate me and fill me to overflowing. Again, it is not a time of working things up or making anything happen. It is a time of being filled—a time of impartation even if we fall asleep.
We must have the faith to believe that even if we fall asleep He will still work in us. In Song of Songs chapter 5: verse 2 the scripture says “I went to sleep but my heart (spirit) stay awake.” Therefore, if you go to sleep, you most likely need it. And like the surgeon continues to work on the one on the operating table under anesthetic, Holy Spirit will continue to work on you. This is another reason it is important to create a comfortable environment which eliminates distractions.
Distractions…
If you do get distracted and find your thoughts wondering during your soaking time, just stop and ask the Lord if He is trying to speak to you about the distraction or issue. If you feel He isn’t dealing or ministering to you on the particular thought , just refocus on Him and don’t be concerned…a disciplined lifestyle of soaking will often take care of this tendency to be so easily distracted by wandering thoughts…
People experience many things during soaking.
Soaking can cause impressions, pictures, or verses to come to mind. Let your heart meditate on them and don’t shut them down. The Lord is always faithful and worthy of being trusted to lead and guide you into all truth. When we ask the Father for bread He does not give us a stone and Holy Spirit will always lead you to Jesus. If a sad memory comes to mind, don’t run away from it, the Lord is most likely moving in your heart to heal any wounds associated with the memory…just let go and if necessary audibly release the memory and or people to Him…There are many responses in the physical and spiritual make up of people when it comes too soaking. Some common manifestations are, weeping; sensations of joy, the heaviness of intercession or increased energy…there may be feelings of revitalization, and overwhelming outpourings of love…there can recollection of certain scriptures or a time of sleep.
During your time of soaking…you may feel the weight of His presence hovering over you, touching you. The more you soak in His presence, the more encounters you will have, the closer you come to the Lover of your soul….As with any relationship, the more you give, the more you receive…the more you grow…
Impressions given to you by the Holy Spirit during this time might be of you “holding or hugging a friend” symbolizing the Lord holding you.
He could also be telling you to hug or hold a friend or family member, literally or in prayer. These types of impressions are common in “Soaking Prayer”, so don’t be afraid and trust Him to lead and guide you into all truth. All the mentioned experiences are valid and happen based on the need of the person.
The Most Important Thing To Remember!
The most important thing to remember is this….You never need to be afraid of the Holy Spirit. He is gentle above all. Everything He shares with you will be based on the Word and draw your focus to Jesus.God gave you your imagination and can use it to show you wonderful things. The enemy has long and successfully sought to pervert the use of our imagination…. causing many Christians to be afraid of letting the Holy Spirit direct and use theirs. Remember, Holy Spirit will always draw you to the Lord and His Word.
Using What You Have Experienced.
Often it is not enough just to soak and go on, especially if the Lord has spoken something to your heart. This is where we get the opportunity to journal His revelations and turn them into decrees.All I can say about this is…write it down, write it down ….write it down…and Journal His Heart.
Transcribe the words into first person, thereby turning your words into a declaration. Take your declaration and speak it back over your own heart, your spirit…Speak it back over your life and family.
Speak in agreement with Him according to (1 John 5:14-15, Job 22:28, Deut 29:29, and feed the seed of your heart according to the principle of Genesis 1:28 and you will see it multiply).
Consider each Word or revelation like a like a medicine meant to preserve and transform your life. The things He gives you are meant to cause you to grow, persevere, and walk in freedom. They cause you to be fruitful and multiply. Like talents, they should not be buried, but multiplied through the agreement of the spoken word.
The more you speak the more you will believe and become obedient to His call on your life. The words and revelations He gives you are for rooting out, pulling down…they are to destroy and overthrow the plans of the enemy and finally to build and plant according to (Jeremiah 1:9-1).
Soak and grab a hold of every Word proceeding from the mouth of God.
… seize the day….seize the day with a sense of anticipation….Take any opportunity to cease striving and soak in His presence and you will be amazed how the changes on the inside display themselves on the outside… and to the world around you.Soaking with a Purpose is an adventure which takes one deep into the realms of God’ heart—a place of communion….a place where two devoted hearts…yours and His… meet.
I pray you have been blessed by this brief teaching on Soaking with a Purpose. Be sure and take time to read all the scripture references related to this subject we have provided on the Soaking with a Purpose website. There will be many more articles in the days to come along with journal examples to help you along the way…Take some time to soak in His presence…He is waiting for you with open arms and a full heart of love and encouragement…
Scripture References:
Psalms 23:1-3 – “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake …” (NIV)
Psalms 131:2 – “But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.” (NIV)
Psalms 4:4 – “In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah.” (NIV)
Psalms 37:7a – “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him …” (NIV)
Matthew 11:28-30 -” Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (NIV)
There are several other scriptures you might want to look up, including:
Hebrews 4:9-11; Isaiah 40:29-31; Psalm 27:14; Proverbs 1:33; Luke 10:39 and Hosea 2:14.
