Dr. Bernard, as one as Pentecostals, we obviously believe in the importance of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

So we're very passionate about praying with seekers, people who are seeking after the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

This prompted one of our listeners to write to us and to share some

concerns that she had. She specifically expressed concern about people that we would label

altar workers using what she described as maybe unbiblical high pressure tactics when praying

with people. So she said that she's, she noted that she's witnessed people who,

who just make, she, in her words, just make stutterings and being declared filled,

but they never in her mind spoke in tongues. Some don't even say much of anything. They just

feel the presence of God and let their hands, and yet they're told that they have received the

Holy Ghost. So she noted that sometimes

we get caught up in the excitement of an altar service and the emotion and it's easy to forget

biblical teaching. So this prompted a question, and I'm paraphrasing her question, how should we

pray for those who are seeking to receive the Holy Spirit? What are some best practices in those

situations? That's a great question. And let me refer you to my book, Spiritual Leadership in the

21st Century. I actually have a chapter called praying with seekers. I think this is very important.

And I would say, as a pastor, I've observed and talked to sometimes people that receive the Holy Spirit as children, but they don't remember it or they felt like they were just told they had the Holy Ghost.

They didn't really think that they spoke in tongues.

And that should never be.

And then likewise, I've encountered people from the charismatic movement who thought they had the Holy Spirit.

They were told they had the Holy Church.

When they came to our church, they actually did receive the Holy Spirit.

They said, no, I did not have the Holy Spirit before.

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