By Juanita Smith
Is it an affront to the Holy Spirit to be bold enough to ask for a particular gift? Scripture says, “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” ( 1 Corinthians 14:1 New American Standard) In the Old and New Testaments there are instances where people requested and received special power from God.
Elijah’s apprentice Elisha, upon learning that his mentor and teacher was about to transition, asked Elijah, “Please let me have a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” God granted his request and Elisha performed more miracles than anyone else in the Old Testament.
The Apostle Paul advises the Corinthians to “…desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.”(1 Corinthians 14: 1 NIV) And again in verse 13 Paul, in talking about the gift of tongues says, “…anyone who speaks in tongues should pray that he interprets what he says.” That is, pray for the gift of interpretation of what is spoken in tongues.
When asking for a particular gift, your motive must be pure. Humility and love must be your uppermost desire. If your motive is pure, and you earnestly seek God’s grace in a particular area, frequently the Holy Spirit will grant your request. Remember, God is sovereign. He gets the last word.
Recently I talked with a pastor who shared with me that he had asked the Holy Spirit for the gift of healing. As a pastor he saw many people who needed healing of various kinds; physical, mental and emotional. His heart of compassion was touched by their situations and he wanted to be used by God to administer healing. He promis
ed God that if given the gift he would be careful to always acknowledge Him and act in humility, love, and total submission. Over time the gift of healing was manifest in him and now healing is one of his churches’ gifts. He has a healing church. If you want your church to be a healing church, ask God to send people with various manifestations of the gifts of healing. (see 1 Corinthians 12:9 and 28).
From my experience, it seems that tongues are probably the most frequently requested gift. Some denominations associate the manifestation of tongues as a sign of salvation, so demonstrating tongues is an important part of their theology. In some groups it is associated with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The primary purpose of tongues is to develop an intimacy between you and God. It is a special communication between just the two of you; a special prayer language that builds up the believer. Many believers specifically ask for and receive this gift.
If you desire a particular gift, go for it. Ask the Holy Spirit to give it to you. Just be sure your motive is right…all gifts are to glorify God.
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