The Time I Spoke in Tongues in the Marketplace and Spoke Farcy (Persian)

A number of years ago I was involved with a particular company based in Toronto, Canada. The CEO and the upper-level leadership were not Christians, although there were several Christians involved at a lower level including myself. Just the presence of these few Christians began infusing the company with an atmosphere of prayer, just like leaven in bread. These Christians actually believed their presence in the company would bring it prosperity. This view then started permeating the mind of to the CEO. (For confidentiality let’s call him Kamran). The CEO, a Muslim, appeared “open” to whatever might bring himself and his company financial prosperity. One day I received word that Kamran requested meeting with me in his office to discuss something. 

I remember quite well the intimidating atmosphere as I entered his office. There sat this large wealthy Persian man on the other side of a massive desk with various awards and medals for body building adorning the wall behind him. As I sat down I eagerly desired to know why this man wanted to see me. Perhaps I was about to get a “scolding” for being overtly “Christian” in the workplace. Kamran skipped past any small talk and got right to the point. 

“I heard you pray to God and God speaks to you.” I sat silent for a moment, somewhat stunned, considering my reply. I finally gave a confident “yes.” Kamran then started outlining some business plans for expansion along with other details. He then simply asked me to pray. I responded telling him I would definitely “keep him in prayer” and thanked him for his time. As I prepared to leave his office he said rather abruptly, “No, please pray now and tell me what God says to you.” 

I knew well how God speaks to me, how to prophesy, interpret dreams and the language of the Spirit. But honestly, it seemed easier functioning in my gift within the walls of a church or conference with the atmosphere already charged with faith. This was somewhat new territory for me as a young leader. I bowed my head and right there in this intimidating man’s office, started praying. 

As I started, I clearly heard the undeniable voice of the Holy Spirit say, “Pray in tongues.” I found myself amazed at how clearly heard the voice of the Spirit in that moment. It was precious, but I still wrestled with the idea of speaking in tongues in front of this man. He obviously had no idea what the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is or what speaking in tongues means. With my own fears of how I would appear in front of this man, not to mention how I might make other believers in the company look in front of him after today, I resisted the voice of the Lord and continued praying in English. 

I must confess this became the driest most dead sounding prayer I ever prayed. No anointing, no faith, no power. When I reluctantly surrendered to the Holy Spirit’s leading, and began praying in tongues, the room became electric with the Glory of the Lord. As tongues bubbled forth, I kept my head low, and eyes closed, more so out of embarrassment than reverence. I simply did not want to see the reaction on Kamran’s face. 

As I finished praying, I looked up across the desk and noticed a very visibly emotional Iranian man. I assumed I embarrassed him, or even offended him. When I finally made eye contact, to my surprise he blurted out, “I didn’t know you knew how to speak Farsi!” Honestly, no one was more surprised than I. However, my faith immediately went through the roof and a significant opportunity arose in the office to introduce this man to Jesus. 

Tongues can truly be a form of witness when led of the Spirit in this way. There is a type of tongues that is a national language, and another is one of mysteries. The Bible says He speaks mysteries in which we do not always know what we are saying.

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