I was reading a blog that I follow of a girl who did missions in Asia and since she has come back to America, for a short while, she says the Church in America sickens here. One of the things she mentioned that struck me is the church she attended in Asia would pray for 45 minutes and sometimes weep for her own soul.
It got me thinking that I don't recall such a thing happening in the American church unless it is not talked about.
Usually churches like to advertise prayer meeting and bible study on Wednesday nights. That usually means a very short prayer meeting.
Has anyone ever been a part of a prayer meeting in a church that came alive or was passionate filled with the Spirit of God? Have you ever attended a church in which people labored in prayer IN the church so much so that maybe the preaching lasted 15 minutes and the rest of just prayer.
When I read Voice of the Martyrs I read stories of persecuted Christians who meet for bible study but also intense in prayer and often times, we, in the States marvel over their passion in the faith.
What are your experiences in Church?
I have never been part of a major prayer meeting that I can remember but I remember going up to the pulpit in a big church on Father's day. Preacher asked if anyone held anger of any kind toward their dad to come forward to have it release. I went forward because I want to pray for me dad. Little did I realize that while I was standing there with my eyes closed and focused on prayer I found myself on the floor weeping for 30 minutes. No one touched me and no one caught me. I got up feeling cleaned out inside. I didn't realize I had anger or resentment in me like that. My dad used to argue with me all the time about religion. I forsook the Lutheran Faith and attended a Pentecostal church after becoming a Christian. To him it was an unforgivable sin. I always challenged his arguments with scripture and yet his bible was prints such as the Sun magazine.
Tell me your stories of prayer in the Church.