Surely no one truly believes that God only moves at the altar? BUT...there is something to be said for making your way to an elder for prayer...for healing or whatever. Some people find it helpful for others to pray with them, or around them; others prefer to pray alone, even in a public setting...so...I say whatever works for you. :-)
I do believe that some people
resist going to the altar because they are also resisting God, and perhaps going down and kneeling at the altar is a sign of them letting go of that resistance, but they could certainly submit to him just as well in their pew. Some folks also resist being prayed for by the pastor or elders for the same reason...because they want to stay the way they are, and they are resisting the move of God.
My mother received the Holy Ghost at home, by herself. So did my husband. Both of them were told by overzealous altar workers that they had received the Holy Ghost (when they had not), and since they were too embarrassed to be contradictory, they just approached God privately, and He certainly didn't need a physical church altar to respond.
However, EVERY person needs an "altar"...that is...a place and time to pray and submit to God on a daily basis.
