Our Kids and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Before we ask the question, “why should I be baptized in the Holy Spirit?”, we should first talk about who the Holy Spirit is and what baptism in the Holy Spirit is.
The Holy Spirit is our:
Helper: He helps us live for God each day of our lives.
Teacher: He helps us understand the Bible and how to live for Jesus.
Guide: He guides us to all truth and helps us as we make decisions.
Source of Strength: He gives us power to overcome temptation and to share the Gospel wherever we go.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is:
Not the same as salvation. This is a separate and unique gift following conversion. (Acts 19:1–6)
For you! This empowerment is for every believer. (Acts 2:39)
Supernatural. It is a supernatural experience. A child cannot be taught how to speak in tongues. Jesus is the baptizer. (Luke 3:16; Acts 1:4–8)
For today. This experience is for today. (Acts 2:39)
Just the Beginning. The content of Acts occurred following Pentecost. The disciples prayed multiple times for more of God’s Spirit. (Acts 2:4; Acts 4:31)
Not Scary. God will do nothing scary to a child. I’ve found that once children overcome the fear of the unknown, it is easy for them to be filled to overflowing with the Spirit. (1 John 4:16-18, 2 Timothy 1:7)
How do I pray with my child to receive the Holy Spirit?
Read this Scripture together as a family:
Luke 11:9-10, 13
“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
...how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
If your child would like to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, encourage them to pray this prayer:
Dear Jesus,
You have told us in your Word that you give the amazing gift of the Holy Spirit. I want that same gift in my life. I am asking to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. I love you and I want to serve you for my whole life. I need the Holy Spirit to help me live for you. I need His power in my life. Please baptize me in the Holy Spirit just like the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. I love you Jesus and thank you!
The first sign of being baptized in the Holy Spirit is speaking words that you haven’t learned through the power of the Holy Spirit. We call this speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues shouldn’t be scary to you. God won’t force you to speak, but as the Holy Spirit puts new words in your mind, we encourage you to speak them out loud. This stepping out in faith is essential to receiving what God would give you.
As you pray with your child, consider these things as they grow in their understanding of the Holy Spirit.
Let them come to Jesus. Praying for this should never be forced, rushed, or confusing. When children express a desire to receive, pray.
Listen to them. Oftentimes, a child will have pressing prayer requests that are more important to her than being filled with the Spirit. Listen and pray about those felt needs first. Then pray about this gift.
Let Jesus be the baptizer. You and I cannot baptize people of any age in God’s Holy Spirit. You can’t yell loud enough, shake hard enough, or hype yourself up enough to make God move any faster in a child’s life. So relax. Trust that God knows exactly when the child is ready to receive. Be there to encourage and bless.
Love them. Spend some time encouraging and showing love to boys and girls who have not yet received the Spirit. It is critical that children leaving after extended prayer with no apparent result, be encouraged to walk away believing they should continue seeking this experience until it happens. (Luke 11:13)