Here at the Northampton River Church, we have Soaking meetings, where we soak in the presence of the Lord. This is a way of life for us here at the "River". We are a registered "Catch the Fire" Soaking Centre for Northampton.

“Soaking" in His presence

When soaking in God’s presence, people have experienced profound heart changes such as marriages being healed, their fears dispelled, depressions and sicknesses have left and lives have been transformed.

But What Is “Soaking”?

During previous revivals people referred to it as “waiting on the Lord” as they lingered expecting God’s revival blessings. Soaking in God’s presence also means to rest in His love rather than to “strive” in prayer. As the person receiving a touch from God begins to connect with the reality of the Holy Spirit’s presence, he often responds by falling or simply lying on the floor. As he rests expectantly in God’s presence, often the Holy Spirit hovers over the person to reveal more of God’s love and to renew and repair areas of a person’s life.

As the believer soaks in God’s presence, the Lord takes control and begins to draw his/her attention to God’s word either in the scriptures or through internal audible impressions or pictures he sees in his mind’s eye.

Why Do I Need To Soak?

There is a deep need in every one of us to be close to God. Experiencing God is something to be sought after and not avoided. While we base our theology on God’s Word, our experiences with God make it all come alive. The Bible is a book of experiences of men and women of God throughout history, whose lives were changed through divine encounter. Your life will be changed as well as you encounter Him.

Where Can I Soak?

This should be a relaxed and safe environment where can just let go and let God touch you and minister to you. The ideal time to soak would be after every meeting with a time of soaking prayer. This is something that you can do in your own home or at the end of a church meeting. You can be alone, or just with your spouse, or you can invite several friends over who can take turns praying for one another or even in a large church environment.

So How Do I Soak?

Although you don’t have to lie down, you may sit in a chair or lie on your bed, the main thing is to be in a safe place so you can be vulnerable. Set your affection on Jesus. It is good to soak while listening to intimate worship music with meaningful words that quiet your soul and help you draw near to God. As you reflect on the cross and all that Jesus has lovingly purchased for you, begin confessing your sins to Him and longing to be close to Him. After a few moments, you will become aware of the Holy Spirit’s unseen presence. People experience Him in many ways: a weight upon your body, an electric tingling upon your hands or face, or a warm sensation of love going through your heart which connects you to Him.

This is how you grow to love anyone, by a series of several encounters that bond you together. It is not only a rational process; your heart must be engaged. Experiencing God’s presence is what will cause you to love the Lord with all your heart and soul. (Matthew 22:37) Humble yourself before Him. Give all your worries and cares to the Lord talking to Him about them. Pray a prayer like this. “Lord Jesus, I invite You to come and search my heart. 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 re-focus on Jesus. Remind yourself why you are soaking and listen to the worship music.

If you have people that can pray over you, i.e. soaking prayer, they can pray things such as “Lord, come and give them more of your presence; more of Your love.”

Can I Trust That It Is The Holy Spirit Working?

Yes you can. Remember, everything we receive from God we receive by faith. Faith must be positive and focused on God. (Not negative and fearful, focused on the enemy).

Jesus said in Luke 11:11- 13, “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

The key is intimacy. It is not a program to be run and managed, but a relationship to be maintained,

Is “Soaking” In The Bible?

Here’s some of 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 the still waters. He restores my soul…”

• Psalm 131:2 — “Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.”

• Psalm 4:4 — “Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.”

• 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 in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

• Hebrews 4:9-11 — “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 40:29-31 — “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and 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 27:14 — “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord!”

• Proverbs 1:33 — “But whoever listens to Me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”

• Luke 10:39 — “And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.”

• Hosea 2:14 — “Therefore, behold, I will allure her. I will bring her into the wilderness and speak comfort to her.”