What is SOAKING?

Be still and know that I am God. Ps 46:10

Soaking sessions are a way to translate our longings into an act of worship and abandonment before God, with no other agenda than to just meet with God. The worship music is carefully selected to facilitate genuine intimacy with the Lord. The entire experience is a gentle, peaceful one that aids in entering into a place of stillness and quietness where we can experience the Love of our Heavenly Father.
Our goal is to provide a safe place for corporate soaking that is covered by prayer. “So come and settle down, relax and enjoy a good long soak...!

"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever
believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, rivers of living water
will flow from within him." By this he meant the Spirit, whom
those who believed in Him were later to receive. John 7:37-39

What do you mean by Soaking

The old word would be 'wait on the Lord' or 'tarry', but there is an emphasis
on rest rather than striving in prayer.

Why would I want to?
There is a deep need in everyone to be close to God. Some have described it as a ‘God-shaped’ vacuum inside of every human heart that longs to be fulfilled.

How do I know if I need to ‘soak’?
· If you are spiritually dry, soaking can revitalize your spirit.

· If you long to move more powerfully in the gifts of the Spirit, soaking can help you hear God clearer.

· If you are looking for fresh vision and direction in life, soaking can bring it.

· If you are hurting inside, soaking can ease the pain.

· If you are 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 or situation, soaking can help you find the way.

· If you carry responsibilities, soaking can lift your burden.

· If you are trapped by 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.

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.

Can I trust it is the Holy Spirit working?
These sessions are covered in prayer to create a safe place. Give the Holy Spirit permission to work in your heart – don’t try to analyze things. The Lord has no favorites. He will always give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Luke 11:11-13
Other Spirits can’t 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 days events or future plans and come to a place of rest. So it’s unlikely that you would get much out of soaking if you did it for less than fifteen minutes.
We have found 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.

How will I know when God has finished?
The more you soak the easier it will become to recognize when to stop.  Often you will sense a lifting of the anointing and a reviving or energy. Remember, you will never get beyond the need for more of the Holy Spirit.

Do I have to lie down?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              No, you can soak sitting in a chair if you find it more comfortable. Being still and at rest is the key. It aligns our bodies with our hearts attitude of submissiveness and attentiveness to God. Lying down helps to minimize 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, a lifting of weights or fresh energy. Often evidence of long term changes are discovered later when back in daily life.

What if I fall asleep?
That’s perfectly valid. Deep, Holy Spirit sleep is very good for us, especially in difficult and stressful times Gen 2:21, 15:12, Dan 10:8- 10, Luke 9:32

What if I become emotional or upset?
Go and speak with some of the other leaders there or someone you trust – they will pray with you and help you.

Can I soak at home?
There is a special anointing that 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 bring you into ‘stillness’.

Is Soaking in the Bible?

 Here are some scriptures that call us to ‘lie down’, ‘wait’, ‘rest’, ‘listen’ and be ‘quiet’ In affect to focus and meditate on God.

Ps 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.

Ps 4:4 When you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.

Isaiah 30:15 This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness & trust is your strength.”

Ps 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him.

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.

Heb 4:9-11 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest.

Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Ps 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Pr 1:33 But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease,
without fear of harm.

Isaiah 55:1-3 Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?  Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live.

Lk 10:39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said.

Ps 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 .

Definitions

Soak – To become thoroughly wet or saturated by immersion, to drink excessively, to become drunk, to take in, to soak up.

Quiet – To be untroubled, free from activities, distractions, still, calm.

Listen – To concentrate on hearing something take heed, pay attention.

Lie down – To place oneself or be in a prostrate position in order to rest. To accept without protest a position in order to rest. To accept without protest or opposition.

Rest - To relax from exertion or labor, repose, sleep, a pause or interval.

Wait – To stay in one place or remain inactive in expectation of something. 

A Step-By-Step Guide to Prayer Soaking

* Prayer soaking is the setting aside of oneself to focus and meditate on God for
renewal of strength and peace. 

* Find yourself space on a chair (or on the floor) and make yourself comfortable. 

* Pray a prayer that says to God something like: ‘I invite you to come and search my heart. Come and let me know Your love.’ 

* Let worship rise up inside you and open your heart to the Lord.

* Listen to the worship and let the Holy Spirit come. 

* If you become distracted simply re-focus on Jesus. Remind yourself why you are soaking and listen to the worship.

To find out more or If you would like to come and soak please contact admin@harvestchurchba.com