Category: Prayer

Another Breakthrough Benefit of Extended Fasting

Another Breakthrough Benefit of Extended Fasting

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Last week we looked at two breakthrough benefits which can come through seasons of extended fasting. These two benefits — overcoming sin and being empowered by the Holy Spirit — directly impact us personally. This week, however, I want to look at one more benefit which comes through seasons of fasting, which will still benefit us, but will benefit others much more. Let’s begin by looking at another biblical account of fasting in the book of Acts.

Fasting In Antioch

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 13:1-3 (emphasis mine)

In this brief story, we find that in the church at Antioch there were a group of leaders who came together for prayer and fasting. It does not tell us the length of their fasting period, but it seems to me that it was a season set aside for this purpose. After all, it is likely that some of these men had families and businesses to attend to. However, they came together for a period to fast and worship the Lord together.

I am sure that part of their pursuits in fasting included the things we discussed before. They would, as all Christians ought to do, be seeking greater levels of holiness and dedication to God in their lives, as well as more of the Holy Spirit’s grace and power in their lives. However, during this period of time, they also received something they didn’t expect: a new commissioning for missionary service.

As they prayed, the Lord spoke to the leaders: “set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Of course, a few years before, when Paul was first called by the Lord, it was revealed to him that he would carry the gospel to the gentiles (see Acts 9:15). However, he had spent the major portion of his time since his calling, either seeking the Lord alone in the wilderness of Arabia or learning from and serving within existing churches (see Galatians 1:11-24).

Launched Into Destiny

At this time, however, the plan and timing of the Lord was made evident to the leaders, through fasting. As the Holy Spirit spoke, the leaders obeyed: “Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

Paul (and Barnabas) was launched into the destiny God had for his life. Though he had personally known the calling and things to come, now the church was made certain, and commissioned them for service.

The laying on of hands, throughout the Bible, was an act of public recognition of the calling on people’s lives. More than that, however, it was also a commissioning, which would carry with it the authority to do the work of ministry.

We see this same commissioning happening in the life of Jesus, when he laid hands on His apostles, and released them into their destiny, as well.

Apostolic Assignment

In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Luke 6:12-16

Once again, we see Jesus setting aside his night, not to sleep, and not to fellowship with other believers, but to dedicate Himself to prayer. (He was probably fasting through the night as well.) In the morning, God had spoken to Him to appoint these men for their destiny as well.

Mark and Matthew add to their accounts of this story that when Jesus appointed them, he also gave them spiritual authority, which up to that time had been reserved for Himself, alone.

And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.

Mark 13:14-15

And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

Matthew 10:1

Through Jesus’ night of prayer, these 12 men were called and appointed to a work which would change their own lives, and also the world!

Our Fasting Launches Others Into Their Destiny

Based on these stories, what we see is that as we give our time to prayer and fasting, God will (at times) not only empower us to serve Him better, but through us, will call others into greater levels of His service as well!

Now, I said before that this third benefit will benefit us, as well as others, but I think the “how” should be obvious. As we are led to equip others, and launch them into ministry, then the new partnerships in God’s work between them and us will multiply the fruit we can bear.

In fact, in Matthew, one verse before Jesus appointed the twelve and released His authority into them, He made His famous statement:

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Matthew 9:37

I personally believe this prayer was His own during the night on the mountain.

Seek The Benefit of Others

To shift this principle to become practical, I think the takeaway is that when we enter into a season of fasting and prayer, we must be seeking the Lord for bigger things than our own personal benefit.

Of course we need to seek Him in repentance, and also His victory over sin to become our victory over sin (1 Peter 1:15-16). Of course we need to be seeking more of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Ephesians 5:18). However, we should also be seeking God’s Kingdom (Matthew 6:33), which requires our outlook and prayer focus to go beyond ourselves.

A major lesson I have learned since becoming a leader of leaders is that one of the greatest goals of my prayer life must be to see those around me strengthened, equipped, and launched into their God-given destiny. The good news is that scripture testifies that God hears that prayer and will do it!

So who do you need to launch into destiny? Who around you needs you to seek God’s wisdom and grace for their lives? Who is God calling you to equip, empower, and impart destiny to, in this season?

It seems that fasting and prayer is one great way to find out the answer.

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© Anthony Scott Ingram 2020. All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Jonathan Pielmayer on Unsplash

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Please note that I do get a small kickback from Amazon for purchases made using the links on this site. 
Should you choose to purchase from them, I just want to say thank you for further supporting my work in ministry! 
You can also donate to my missionary work and ministry through Sozo Ministries, here.

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Two Breakthrough Benefits of Extended Fasting

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For the past 6 years, our ministry has begun each January with a 21-day extended fast. It has become a part of our annual rhythms, and has produced so much fruit in the lives of our churches and leadership, that it would be difficult to remove it from our calendars.

In the same way, many of you also begin the new year with dedicated time to fast and pray, as part of your annual re-focusing on the Lord for the next season. In fact, where I live in Uganda it is unusual to see Christians not fasting, in some capacity, during this season.

Despite the difficulty of an extended fast, many of the benefits of fasting are well established and attested to. We have seen numerous miracles, financial breakthroughs, physical healings, and more. It is also no secret that fasting has a large number of physical benefits for the human body as well. While all of these things are great, I want to narrow our focus a little bit in this post, and share two of the most beneficial effects of fasting in our spiritual walk with the Lord. Before we get there, let me address the question of “why” we fast in the first place.

Why Fast?

Fasting is an ancient practice, older than Christianity. It was a common practice of the Jewish people, as well as almost every other religious system. That in itself is not enough of a reason for us to do it, but does lay out the view that nearly every culture has found spiritual value in the practice.

According to the Lexham Bible Dictionary:

“In the ancient Near East, fasting held social significance similar to feasting. Both practices could create or renew a social bond and displayed an individual’s or group’s current state. While feasting was often a public display of wealth and success, fasting was a display of humility and grief…Fasting by people in the ancient world also could indicate a troubled spirit…By fasting, individuals could dissociate themselves from other people and society, perhaps to move closer to the divine…”

David Seal and Kelly A. Whitcomb, “Fasting,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

This is the same sentiment we read throughout the Old Testament, as people would fast in seasons of grief and mourning, or as a method of seeking God’s guidance in preparation to face uncertainty, such as before a battle. They would also fast in connection with the Day of Atonement, which likely included fasting from more than only food. It also meant abstaining from sexual activity, personal activities which would draw attention to yourself in public (such as fragrant oils or bathing), and possible even from wearing comfort items, like shoes.

Fasting has always been a spiritual tool to aid a person’s prayers, seeking the grace of the Lord in difficult situations, and victory in the circumstances ahead.

Jesus Expected His Disciples To Fast

As fasting was simply a part of Jewish life, and Christianity is a fulfillment of the Jewish law and prophets, it is no wonder that Jesus expected that his disciples would continue the act of fasting. In one of His earliest public sermons – the sermon on the mount – He gave clarifying instructions on a number of spiritual practices, implying that they should continue.

In Matthew 6:2, Jesus begins these instructions by saying “when you give to the needy,” do not do it for show. Those who make a big ado about their giving have their reward in the praise of man.

In Matthew 6:5, He continues: “when you pray,” don’t do it just to look spiritual in front of people. It’s better to go into hiding, in the secret place with the Lord, than to pray with ulterior motives publicly.

Finally, in Matthew 6:15, He says, “when you fast” don’t put on a public spectacle of yourself. Instead of showing off your piety for all to see, keep it between you and the Lord, and He will reward you.

Christians Fast For More of Jesus

In Matthew 9:14, a question arose among the disciples of John the Baptist as to why they, and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Jesus’ disciples did not. Jesus answered essentially that they could not fast because the answer to their prayers (Himself) was already with them. However, after He would leave them, they would fast.

This has proven to be the case. Since Jesus left, Christians in every generation have been faced with situations, both in private life and publicly, that have needed God’s divine intervention. Whether it be overcoming personal sin and demonic torments, or staying strong in the face of persecution, our only answer is to experience more of Jesus in our present lives. It is upon this point that I will build my case for the two big benefits of fasting.

Jesus Fasted

I believe that in all things, Jesus is the greatest example we have to follow in living the Christian life, and His Word gives us a view into His fasted life. In Luke 4:1, immediately after His baptism by John and His filling with the Holy Spirit, the Bible tells us:

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.

While Jesus was in the wilderness, He was fasting and praying. Modern science typically agrees that a 40 day abstinence from food is pretty much the extent of human capability. Death will follow not long after. That means that Jesus was not out for a refreshing spiritual retreat. He was desperate for God’s intervention in His life, and His ministry which was about to begin.

During this time, the Devil comes and tempts Jesus with many things, but only the final three temptations are recorded. The first was that He should turn stones to bread. Now, as someone who has not eaten for 40 days, and is possibly near death, this temptation would be a tough one. Still, Jesus resists the temptation. Then there is the temptation to test His identity as the Son of God. “Throw yourself off the Temple, and angels will rescue you.” Again, Jesus was victorious. Finally, the biggest test came. “I will give you everything you want, without the need to die on the cross, if you will worship me.” In full submission to God’s Word and will, Jesus sent the devil packing.

And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.

Luke 4:13-14

It is from this simple story that I want us to look at the biggest benefits we, as Christ-followers, can receive when we partake of an extended season of fasting.

Benefit 1: Triumph Over Sin and the Devil

The first benefit I see in fasting is that it gives us the opportunity to take our physical limitations out of the equation in our pursuit of righteousness in our lives. As we put aside the daily cares of life, we are able to truly feel the Lord’s grief with our sin, and to mourn the wickedness He reveals in our hearts.

In the case of Jesus, we do not know the full extent of His temptations. Luke seems to say the temptations lasted for the entire 40 days, yet we only hear about the final day’s challenges. Even the rest of the gospels do not give us a deeper insight into the sinful temptations our Savior faced. What we do know is that the author of Hebrews testifies to us:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15

I believe that Jesus faced every sort of temptation that we do: temptation towards self protection and self promotion, temptations toward sexual sin, temptations toward personal comforts and security, and more. Yet, during this season of fasting, the devil’s temptations were exhausted and Jesus walked away victorious.

Facing Our Own Temptations

Within the Body of Christ, there are many believers who struggle with the same sinful desires and temptations year-in and year-out, who never find the victory they seek, and wondering what can be done. One big answer is fasting.

Now, it isn’t a magic formula, where you stop eating and all the temptations just disappear. Your fasting must be purposeful. You should be mourning over your sin before the Lord, and looking for Him to strengthen you to withstand.

You should also be dedicating more time during your fast to the Word of God. After all, Jesus overcame His temptations by quoting the Word of God to the Devil. If the Word of God is not inside of us, we will not be able to use it as the weapon God intended.

Fasting Defeats The Devil

Just as we see Jesus overcoming the Devil through His extended season of fasting and prayer, we also hear Him teaching His disciples to do the same. In Mark 9, while Jesus is on the mountain being transfigured in the presence of Elijah and Moses, the majority of His disciples are at the bottom of the mountain failing at deliverance ministry. When Jesus returns from the mountain and exorcises the demons from the child, the disciples ask Him why they were incapable. His answer was that “this kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer” (Mark 9:29).

Although I cannot fully express what happens, there is a very clear spiritual dynamic at work that when we fast before the Lord, spiritual stamina is added to us to overcome every sinful temptation and demonic stronghold we face.

It doesn’t mean the tempter won’t return “at a more opportune time,” but it does give us victory for the current season.

Benefit 2: Empowerment By the Spirit of God

The second benefit I see demonstrated by Jesus’ 40-day fast was that it leads to a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit. Remember, Jesus had just been baptized in Luke 3, and when He came out of the water “the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove…” (Luke 3:22). Whenever He leaves the baptismal site, Luke 4:1 tells us very clearly that Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit” and that it was the Spirit that led Him into the wilderness to fast and pray!

However (and seeing that this is Jesus we are talking about, this is a big “however”), verse 14 makes sure to emphasize that after fasting, Jesus returned from the wilderness “in the power of the Spirit.”

Now, we must understand that as Jesus had laid aside His Godhood when He incarnated and took on flesh, everything He did on earth (miracles, healing, raising the dead, casting out demons, etc) was not done as God. It was all done as a man filled with the Holy Spirit. (See Philippians 2:5-8.) What we see in this passage is that Jesus Himself experienced varying levels of the Holy Spirit’s presence and activity in His life. The key to more of the Spirit? Extended fasting!

Receiving Our Own Upgrade

Again, Jesus is an example to us. If He was able to go to higher levels of anointing through fasting and dealing with sinful temptations, we should expect the same for our own lives.

To repeat myself, it isn’t a magic formula whereby we simply stop eating food and the Holy Spirit falls on us. It is a specific pursuit and heartfelt hunger for more of the Lord that will stir Him and draw Him close. There are many scriptures which emphasize this point:

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

But from (among the nations) you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Deuteronmoy 4:29

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:31

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Luke 11:13 (emphasis mine)

Although the biblical command is that we should continually be filled with the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 5:18), there is something that happens when we shut ourselves out of the world for a season, and seek more of God’s presence in our lives. (This is especially true when connected to the newfound holiness after dealing with sin).

Getting Practical

I do understand the difficulty in modern life to even find the time for an extended fast, however I cannot more highly impress upon you the benefits it will have on your Christian walk. My advise is to start small. If you cannot set aside a long period of time to fast and pray, then start with a two- or three-day fast. Give a weekend up to the Lord. As you experience the grace that will follow, I’ll bet you will be drawn to more. It can also be practical to set aside a regular one or two days a week to fast. I know some leaders who fast every Tuesday and Thursday, in order to keep their spiritual walk with the Lord close, continually.

Perhaps, when you are ready for a little more, do a week-long fast. If you can take off work, that is ideal, although not completely necessary. If you stick with fruit and veggie juices, you should have the energy to do what you have to do, while spending your free time (lunch breaks, morning and evenings, etc) with the Lord in prayer. As seven is the Biblical number of completion, I find this to be a perfect goal for starting out with extended fasting.

In many seven-day fasts, I have seen breakthrough for extremely difficult temptations and much answer to prayer for more of His presence.

Whatever you decide to do, I would simply encourage you that fasting is a biblical practice, and Jesus expected that His followers would practice it as a normal part of the Christian life. You don’t have to wait on a “word from the Lord” that you should fast, just as you don’t wait on Him to call you to pray. Just go for it.

As a final point, I would say, do not do it as a legalistic “must-do” practice just because Pastor Scott said to, and don’t view it as a religious burden that is expected of you. Instead, let it be a time of resting in God’s grace, and see what He will do in and through you when you dedicate yourself to Him, and Him alone, in a new way.

Let’s Connect

As this is the first post of 2021, I want to say a quick thank you to all of you faithful readers who have been with me throughout the past year and all of you who have already connected with me through my newsletter and social media. You encourage me, so much, to keep going with this blog!

For those who haven’t yet signed up, it would be my great honor to have you sign up to receive my weekly newsletter. This is especially true in this season where conservative voices are being silenced on social media. The newsletter is the only sure way to make sure you never miss a new post.

You can also join me on various social media platforms for more #ChristianLife and #Gospel Leadership insights throughout the week. I can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Parler, and LinkedIn, and would love to see you there.

If you’re enjoying the content I produce, a little caffeine to keep me going would be appreciated!



© Anthony Scott Ingram 2020. All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Jonathan Pielmayer on Unsplash

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Please note that I do get a small kickback from Amazon for purchases made using the links on this site. 
Should you choose to purchase from them, I just want to say thank you for further supporting my work in ministry! 
You can also donate to my missionary work and ministry through Sozo Ministries, here.

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Speaking in Tongues FAQ

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Due to my Baptist upbringing and education, many people get confused when they discover that I both believe in and practice the charismatic or sensational gifts of the Holy Spirit (i.e. prophecy, healing, tongues, casting out of demons, etc.). Because things like ‘speaking in tongues’ are seldom practiced or taught about, even in Baptist churches that profess a belief in the gifts, there are many questions that arise when people find out about my beliefs and practices.

On the other hand, when I discuss spiritual gifts with my more charismatic friends — Pentecostals, or Assembly of God friends for instance — they are often confused by my ‘restraint’ put on the gifts and my inability to agree on some of the finer points of their respective denominations doctrinal teachings about the gifts, specifically the gift of tongues.

Over a decade ago, a girl in my church began asking me a ton of questions about the gifts and tongues, and I took the opportunity to write an answer to some of the more frequently asked questions that come up in discussions concerning this gift.

When I shared the FAQ to my blog, it quickly became the most read blog post I have ever written. I have revised the post a little from the original, but the information is still true and relevant today! I attempt to ground every answer with solid biblical support, so make sure to have your bible open and read the scriptures I refrence. If at the end of this post you still have more questions about the issue, please feel free to ask in the comments.

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Is the gift of tongues an earthly language that you never studied but God teaches you, or is it an unknown (non-earthly) language altogether?

Both versions of ‘tongues’ are represented in the scriptures (Earthly tongues in Acts 2, Non-earthly tongues in 1 Corinthians 14). However, when most people talk about the gift of tongues they are referencing a non-earthly language that cannot be learned, taught, or even translated without the Holy Spirit giving the interpretation. If it were an earthly language, then the spiritual gift of interpretation of tongues (1 Cor. 12:10) would not be necessary (1 Cor. 14:5, 27).

What is the primary purpose of the gift of tongues?

The primary purpose of all of the spiritual gifts are twofold. First to build up and edify the church (1 Cor. 12), and secondly, as a sign to non-believers. Tongues can fulfill both roles by personally edifying the one who speaks it (1 Cor. 14:4) or edifying the whole church when an interpreter is present (1 Cor. 14:26-27), and as a demonstration to non-believers (1 Cor. 14:22)

Is speaking in tongues a sign of salvation? Do I have to speak in tongues to be saved?

Speaking in tongues is never shown in scripture to be a sign of salvation. On one hand you may can argue that if someone speaks by the Holy Spirit’s power, then he or she must be saved. At the same time we know of non-believers and even animals in the Old Testament who God used to speak truth, but no one argues that animals can be saved. And we also know that there will be people at judgement time who try to use their prophesying and casting out demons in Jesus name as a sign of salvation, but Christ will deny them (Matthew 7:21-23).

Is tongues a sign that a person has the Holy Spirit? If I don’t speak in tongues does it mean I don’t have the Holy Spirit inside me?

No and No.

First off, we know that Satan can imitate all of the power and signs that God demonstrates among men. Therefore, just because someone claims to be speaking in tongues, it does not mean that they are truly filled with the Spirit of God. The Bible says we will know them by the fruits of the gift (Matthew 7:15-20), not simply by the demonstrations of power.

Secondly, we know from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians that not all Christians will speak in tongues, just as not all will be able to prophesy or lay hands on the sick and see them healed (1 Cor. 12:27-31).** The Spirit alone will determine how He manifests His gifts through a person (1 Cor. 12:4-11).

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Is tongues the primary gift of the Holy Spirit?

No. Paul makes clear that there are gifts more desirable than others (1 Cor. 12:31), then spends all of 1 Corinthians 14 arguing that, although he wishes all of them could speak in tongues (v. 5), he would rather them seek the gift of prophecy (vv. 5, 39) because it has more benefit to the full body of believers.

Can anyone speak in tongues? Should all Christians speak in tongues?

The only people who can legitimately speak in tongues from the Holy Spirit and not some counterfeit version are those believer’s who have sought the gift (1 Cor. 14:1) and whom God has chosen to give the gift to (1 Cor. 12:11).**

If I don’t speak in tongues does it mean that I am not as spiritual as someone who does?

No, nowhere in scripture is it indicated that the gift of tongues is any special mark on the character or spirituality of that person, or and indicator of a higher level of affection received from God.

What does it sound like when you speak in tongues? How do I know it’s tongues and not just gibberish?

Since I have not found a biblical answer to the question of what it sounds like, my cessationist friends will have to cringe a little as I answer from personal experience and the similar experience of others. Speaking in tongues does sound like gibberish, in the same way listening to someone speak in any language you don’t understand sounds like gibberish. However, when you listen intently to someone speaking in tongues, there is clearly a structure to the language, and as time goes on, you will hear certain ‘words’ or ‘phrases’ being repeated.

The only way we can know someone is really speaking in the gift of tongues from the Holy Spirit is to test the Spirit and see if it is really from God (1 John 4:1-3) and as mentioned earlier, to judge from the fruits produced by the gift.

Do you know what you are saying?

Speaking in tongues and interpreting tongues are two different things. Paul says that when a person speaks in tongues, he is speaking to God, and that no man understands (1 Cor. 14:2). It is a form of prayer in which even the mind of the one praying does not understand what is being said (1 Cor. 14:14).

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How do I pursue tongues (or other charismatic gifts)?

1 Corinthians 14:12 says, “since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.” If you want to pursue the spiritual gifts, it begins by realizing that they are for the purpose of building up the church, and then seeking to serve. You become an extension of God’s love to the world (1 Corinthians 13). They aren’t for show, and they aren’t for you to have to feel you have attained a higher Christian status.

Now Christian Healing: Pentecostal Powerif you really want to pursue the gifts, I don’t know that there is a standard way to do so, but I feel like the following suggestions are a good place to start.

First of all, express the desire to God. He is a loving Father who wants to give gifts to His children if they will ask (Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13).

Second, we know that God delights in the obedience of His children. The Holy Spirit is drawn to the person who is pursuing holy living. So strive to live a life pleasing to Him, rather than one at odds with Him (Galatians 5:16-24). As your life becomes attractive to His presence, He will begin to manifest more often.

And finally, live a life that evidences your desire to see God’s Kingdom built, and God’s people to grow in maturity. Love and serve others (1 Cor. 13). Oftentimes it is when we run out of the ability to love and serve on our own power, that the power of God is made known (2 Cor. 12:9-10).

** Though it is true that not all people will practice every gift,, I do not discount the fact that Paul tells us to desire the spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14:1), and that God gives good gifts to His children when we ask Him (Matt. 7:11). It is my personal theological conviction that God can give many or all gifts to the person who devotes themselves to pursuing Him and serving the church. However, we must remember that the gifts are for that reason – service – and not for making a name for ourselves. Seeing people healed will only come when we seek every opportunity to pray for the sick. Giving a prophecy will only come when we seek to edify, exhort, and comfort others often (1 Cor. 14:3). And speaking in tongues will come to the one who is most hungry to spend time with the Lord in prayer, and to be built up in Him.

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