Short Answer:

No. While Christians are called to seek the Lord and dwell in His presence through Scripture, prayer, and worship, practices like “soaking prayer” or “grave soaking” have no biblical foundation. These methods, promoted by some in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), often reflect mystical experiences rather than sound doctrine.

The Spiritual Dangers of Grave Soaking

1. What the Bible Teaches About God’s Presence

a. God is Present with His People Through Christ

• Matthew 28:20 – “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
• Hebrews 10:19-22 – We draw near to God with confidence because of Jesus’ finished work.

b. The Holy Spirit Indwells Believers

• Romans 8:9 – Anyone who belongs to Christ has the Spirit.
• 1 Corinthians 6:19 – Believers are temples of the Holy Spirit.

We do not need to invoke God’s presence through rituals or mystical practices. He is with us by grace through faith.

2. What Is “Soaking Prayer” and “Grave Soaking”?

a. Soaking Prayer

A practice popularized by charismatic and NAR churches, involving lying still and “receiving” from God, often accompanied by ambient music. It prioritizes subjective experience over objective truth and is not taught in Scripture.

b. Grave Soaking (a.k.a. Mantle Grabbing)

Practiced and defended by Bethel leaders like Beni Johnson, this involves lying on the graves of deceased Christians to “absorb” their spiritual anointing. No biblical precedent exists for this. It resembles occult practices of necromancy.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 forbids contacting the dead. Seeking power from the dead is not just unbiblical; it is abominable.

3. NAR Leaders Who Promote These Practices

• Bethel Church (Redding, CA): Known for promoting soaking prayer and grave soaking.
• Heidi Baker: Encourages mystical encounters and “presence encounters” detached from the Word.
• John Crowder: Advocates for bizarre spiritual experiences and teaches mystical union apart from Scripture.

These leaders prioritize experiential spirituality over biblical truth, creating environments where people are encouraged to chase feelings rather than Christ.

4. Historical Theology: What Church Heroes Taught

• Augustine emphasized faith seeking understanding grounded in the Word, not mystical experiences.
• Martin Luther rejected medieval mysticism, championing sola Scriptura.
• John Calvin warned against seeking God outside His appointed means (Word and Sacraments).

“All our devotion should be governed by the Word of God.” — John Calvin

5. The True Biblical Pattern for Seeking God

• Psalm 1:2: Blessed is the one who meditates on God’s Word day and night.
• Colossians 3:16: Let the Word of Christ dwell richly in you.
• John 17:17: Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.

God invites us to know Him through His revealed Word, prayer, biblical worship, and obedience. These are the means of grace—not emotional soaking sessions or graveyard rituals.

✅ Practical and Pastoral Application

• Test All Things by Scripture – 1 Thessalonians 5:21
• Reject Counterfeit Practices – Don’t seek spiritual thrills; seek Christ.
• Pursue God Through the Means He Has Ordained – The Word, prayer, the local church.
• Warn Others in Love – Many are led astray by leaders who blend mysticism with Christian language.

📢 Call to Action

Christian, beware of counterfeit spirituality. You don’t need to soak, fall, or shake to experience God. You need the Word, rightly taught and rightly applied. Jesus is enough.

Stand firm. Discern wisely. And cling to the means of grace God has given us.

🎧 Listen to our episode on NAR mysticism at Contending for the Word

For more on spiritual deception, visit Justin Peters Ministries.

Please also visit us at Contending for the Word for more.