1. SETTING THE SCENE
Song of Songs 5:1 says:
Drink, yes, drink deeply, O beloved ones!
Psalm 131:2 says:
Surely I have calmed and quite had my soul, like a weaning child with his mother. Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Isaiah 53:1-3 says:
Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters and you who have no money, come buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend monewy for what is not bread and your wages forward does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me and eat what is good and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear to Me. Hear and you shall live.
Soaking in the presence of God the Father is just resting in Father’s presence. Soaking is an aid in seeking God the Father and hearing clearly from Him. It is about spending quality time with Father without having a program to maintain or a shopping list to address. It is a time to focus on a relationship with Father where your life will truly be changed.
Dictionary Definitions of KEY Words: (all embrace the worship experience of soaking in God’s presence)
- Soak: To become thoroughly wet or saturated by immersion, to drink excessively, to become drunk, to take in, to soak up.
- Lie Down: To place oneself all be in a prostrate position in order to rest. To accept without protest or opposition.
- Quiet: To be untroubled, free from activities, distractions, still, calm.
- Rest: To relax from exertion and labour, repose, sleep, take heed, pay attention.
- Listen: To concentrate on hearing something, sleep, take heed or interval.
- Wait: To stay in one place expecting something.
All of these words embrace the act of soaking in Father God’s presence. Soaking is all about being cleansed, prepared and anointed (Esther 2:12). Simply coming to be with your Father, no shopping lists, no agendas, just ourselves being still in the His arms of love. As an aid to soaking, soaking worship music is the best way to come into the presence of the Father.
2. THE PLAN
In the beginning God created man and woman. His greatest joy was the close fellowship He had with them as they walk and talk together in the Garden, enjoying the cool of the day. But it didn’t last Satan brought sin into the world and broke that precious, intimate, relationship. And so man began his search for something to fill the emptiness in his heart. Thank God for Jesus – He came and restored mankind into relationship with the father. Now the Holy Spirit comes to soften our hearts, rekindle our love for our heavenly Dad and make us ready for a new relationship. This time, as the Bride of Christ, with Jesus as our husband.
The marriage feast of Jesus is coming closer. This is what soaking is all about: being calm, prepared and anointed (Esther 2:12). Simply come to be with your Father, no shopping list, no agendas, just ourselves being still in His arms of love. So come and settle down, relax and enjoy a good long soak.
3. HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED TO SOAK?
- If you are spiritually dry, soaking can revitalise your spirit.
- If you belong to move more powerfully in the gifts of the Spirit, soaking can help you get clearer.
- If you are looking for fresh vision and direction in life, soaking can bring.
- If you are hurting inside, soaking can ease the pain.
- If you’re about to start something new and need the Lord’s strengthening, soaking can refresh you.
- If you are searching for an answer to a problem/situation, soaking can help you find the way.
- if you carry responsibilities, soaking can lift your burden.
- If you are trapped by a habitual sin, soaking can empower you to break free.
- If you are having relationship difficulties, soaking can give you new resources of Grace, patience and love.
- If you simply want to have more intimacy in your love for your heavenly Father, soaking can take you deeper.
4. YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
So, do I just lie down with a blank mind?
No! Lie down with your mind set on Jesus. Give all your worries and cares to the Lord, talk to Him about them. Pray a prayer that says to God something like: “I invite you to come and come close and let me know Your love.” Let worship rise up inside you and give yourself to the Lord. If you become distracted, then refocus on Jesus. Remind yourself why you are soaking and listen to the worship.
Can I trust it is the Holy Spirit working?
Corporate soaking sessions are covered in prayer to create a safe place. Give the Holy Spirit permission to work in your heart – don’t try to analyse things. The Lord has no favourites, He will always give the Holy Spirit to those who ask (Luke 11:11-13). Other spirits can come near us when the Holy Spirit is around – expect His divine protection!
How long do I stay down for?
It takes most people at least 10 minutes before they stop thinking about the day’s events or future plans and come to a place of rest. So, it’s unlikely that you could get much out of soaking if you do it for less than 15 to 30 minutes. Experience shows that the Holy Spirit comes in waves. As you wait, another wave will come to take you deeper into the presence of the Lord. So, the longer you soak the better.
Once I get up can I come back for more?
Yes, it is often good to get up, have a break and pray over things that the Lord is showing you (either on your own or with others), write things down so you won’t forget, then return and soak some more. Just be sensitive to others about you and move quietly if in a corporate soaking situation.
How will I know when God has finished?
The more you soak the easier it will become to recognise when to stop. Often you will sense the lifting of the anointing and reviving of energy. Remember, you will never get beyond the need for more of the Holy Spirit and the presence of God the Father.
Do I have two lie down?
No, you can soak sitting in a chair if you find it more comfortable. Being still and at rest is the most important thing. It aligns our bodies with our hearts attitude of submissiveness and attentiveness to God. Lying down helps to minimise the distractions caused by activity in the room.
How will I know if soaking is doing me any good?
Many people feel immediate benefits such as a renewed love for the Lord, lifting of heavy weights and a fresh energy. Often evidence of long-term changes are discovered later when back in daily activity.
What if I fall asleep?
That’s perfectly valid. Deep, Holy Spirit sleep is very good for us, especially in difficult and stressful times. (Genesis 2:21; 15:12; Daniel 10:8-10; Luke 9:32)
What if I become emotional or upset?
There will be people to pray and give you support. It may be right to stop soaking and talk to somebody you trust about what the Lord is doing within you.
Can I soak at home?
There is a special anointing comes when Christians are together in an atmosphere of worship, however, it is possible to ‘soak’ at home provided that you are undisturbed. It is important to play intimate worship music that draws you closer to the Lord and brings you into ‘stillness’.
Is soaking in the Bible?
Yes! I have listed some Scriptures below that call us to ‘lie down’, ‘wait’, ‘rest’, “‘listen and be quiet’.
5. WHAT THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY
Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul;
Psalm 131:2
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like weaning child with his mother. Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
4:4
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.
Isaiah 30:15
For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”
Psalm 37:7
Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly or hard and you will find rest for your soul for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Hebrews 4:11
There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For He who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest.
Isaiah 40:9-11
He gives power to the weak into those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary in the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.
Psalm 27:15
Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart.
Luke 10:39
… And she had a sister called Mary who sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.
Proverbs 1:33
But whoever listens to Me will dwell safely and will be secure, without fear or evil.
Isaiah 53:1-3
Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Yes come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread and your wages for for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me and eat what is good and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear to Me. Here and you shall live.
Hosea 2:14
Therefore, behold, I will allure her (God’s people), bring her into the wilderness and speak comfort to her.
[All Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible].
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO SOAKING
- Find yourself a quite place.
- Make yourself comfortable.
- Settle down and open your heart to God.
- put on some worship, let the Holy Spirit come.
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