I have never experienced that, and have been a member of a few different churches now.
Are you certain that is what those people were doing? Trying to act more spiritual that each other?
And if they were, is that a good reason for you to abandon corporate prayer in your church with fellow believers? Where two or three agree, as touching any one thing... They were all in one accord, in one place...
Not meaning this post in any other way than just... don't shortchange yourself. There is power in a group gathering to pray.
I've always assumed that just being in the same building was good enough.
In the OT, the high priest could only enter the holy of holies once a year, but had to follow certain steps before doing so such as (may get some of these wrong or in the wrong order or may forget some)...
- sacrificing at the brazen altar (type of repentance and/or crucifying the flesh)
- washing at the brazen laver (type of baptism)
- burning incense at the golden candlestick before the veil (type of offering up praise - i.e., worship)
The point was that he HAD to do these things BEFORE he was ready to enter into the presence of God and HEAR from God's word.
Sometimes apostolics ask, why do we do the things in a church service that we do? Is it just tradition or is there a bible example?
Pre-service prayer is like crucifying the flesh and getting the flesh under subjection. My personal experience is that when I go to pre-service prayer, I find it easier in the service. During worship my flesh does not feel so heavy and worship is easier and I also get more out of the preaching of the word of God. Also the word of God teaches us that no flesh shall glory in his presence. The flesh and Spirit war against each other, but by prayer we give the Spirit the upper hand.
Worship is like offering up the incense which was another step that had to be done BEFORE being ready to hear the word of God.
We are priests now in the NT.
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Jer 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls...
Pre-service prayer is like crucifying the flesh and getting the flesh under subjection. My personal experience is that when I go to pre-service prayer, I find it easier in the service. During worship my flesh does not feel so heavy and worship is easier and I also get more out of the preaching of the word of God. Also the word of God teaches us that no flesh shall glory in his presence. The flesh and Spirit war against each other, but by prayer we give the Spirit the upper hand.
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I feel the same. Pre-service prayer can lift the level of a service.
__________________ Mrs. LPW
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
In the OT, the high priest could only enter the holy of holies once a year, but had to follow certain steps before doing so such as (may get some of these wrong or in the wrong order or may forget some)...
- sacrificing at the brazen altar (type of repentance and/or crucifying the flesh)
- washing at the brazen laver (type of baptism)
- burning incense at the golden candlestick before the veil (type of offering up praise - i.e., worship)
The point was that he HAD to do these things BEFORE he was ready to enter into the presence of God and HEAR from God's word.
Sometimes apostolics ask, why do we do the things in a church service that we do? Is it just tradition or is there a bible example?
Pre-service prayer is like crucifying the flesh and getting the flesh under subjection. My personal experience is that when I go to pre-service prayer, I find it easier in the service. During worship my flesh does not feel so heavy and worship is easier and I also get more out of the preaching of the word of God. Also the word of God teaches us that no flesh shall glory in his presence. The flesh and Spirit war against each other, but by prayer we give the Spirit the upper hand.
Worship is like offering up the incense which was another step that had to be done BEFORE being ready to hear the word of God.
We are priests now in the NT.
This is all fine and good if it wasn't as someone said earlier, a contest of who can be the loudest, who can rebuke the debbil the strongest, and who can bind and release, and move and shake, etc.
How do I know this? Because I used to be a thoroughbred in that category.
I agree it purges all thoughts and carnality, especially arriving on time to prayer when the Broncos lose.
Another thing, mandatory? No it is another one of those things mentioned from the pulpit that if you do not participate you are cold and dead and on your way to being lost, same with tithing, being there on church work day, and singing in the choir.
If pre-service prayer is mandatory, what happens if you can't make it? You're not allowed in the service?
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If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
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If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
I was just wondering how many Apostolics in here, in your churches, do you have pre-service prayer that is manditory for the born again saints in your church?
We do, and it is mandatory. Anyone who doesn't pray in the prayer room waving a hanky before service gets their "born again saint" status revoked and has to pray in the altar after service. Sort of like a detention.
I was just wondering how many Apostolics in here, in your churches, do you have pre-service prayer that is manditory for the born again saints in your church?
TOP......I think something wonderful happens in a church body when members come together in one room, in one accord and pray. The power of God comes down like in no other setting. Show me someone that mocks or resist scheduled prayer and I'll show you someone that is not consistant in their prayer life. yes, we ALL pray going down the street, in a car at home on the job, etc. but IMHO it cannot replace what happens when we come together. If I had the time or the space and could tell you of things that has happened in prayer, in the prayer room, or at the church or at someones home or in our church prayer "Fire Houses", it would cause you to want to experience the Glory of God.
When we pray together and miracles happen....no one person gets the glory. God gets it. It is so easy to say "I" when we recount miracles.
How I wish more pastor's would insist on pre-service prayer. I do not think you can or should call it mandantory as it takes something away from us all when we are forced to do anything. But if any pastor or ministry would make each prayer meeting exciting and a place that entertains the Holy Ghost then you will NEVER have to make it mandantory. they will come. they will bring their neighbor (who would not usually step foot in your church) just to pray. The young people will once again get on fire for God. Miracles will happen. Marriages will be put back together. Alters will be filled. All because people prayed.
Of course I do not have to mention of all the biblical miracles that took place when "people" (plural) prayed. But then I have seen the miraculous with only 1 praying but for the most part "people" need each other to be and stay encouraged.
I started out as a young person praying every morning at the church at 5:00 a.m. before going to school along with my family and the rest of the church. This is what gave me my prayer foundation that kept me when my world crumbled. I thank God every day for meeting with me and for my pastor who encouraged us to pray by his example.
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