As I child I WISH I had someone to pray with me to receive the Holy Ghost. I spent many days seeking God, alone. We were baptist and my parents knew nothing about (or very little about) speaking in tongues. The little they were taught as wrong. However, I would sing around our city, so it would land me in all types of churches. I will never forget the first time I heard a preachers speaking in tongues because I asked my mother what was going on. She told me we would talk later, but could not provide me with much (other than she thought he was just putting on a show). However, in my heart, I knew I wanted to experience what the other people were feeling when they fell on the floor, cried, and spoke in tongues...etc. So I decided that since I believed in Jesus, I would pray and ask Him to fill me. He did, and at the age of 7/8 (can't remember and nobody was there to record it...they did not find out I spoke in tongues until many years later) I did speak in tongues, and operate in the gift of tongues and intepretation. However, I remember my seeking process. I would shut myself in my room, play a gospel music cd and just worship God until tears would flow down my face.
I don't remember when I actually spoke the first time! That's strange and I wish I could be like my friends that can tell you the date, the place, and even around the time...etc. but I do know "I HAVE HIM."
The children at the churches I am in fellowship with are encouraged to seek the Lord, praise the Lord...etc. but they are not made to do anything. They are just encouraged to be kids. Usually though, they get filled at a very early age and its during the praise or during the altar call. ITS BEAUTIFUL and should never turn into anything other than that...it grieves my heart deeply to hear otherwise.
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