Separate subject.....I'm not crazy about corporate prayer meetings. Inevitably, it produces spiritual pride for those who attended and guilt trips for those who didn't. And I don't see much of anything about them in the bible, expect people who were friends that gathered when there was something major going on.
Throughout scripture, prayer is very much a private thing.
Last Sunday night, our church had family prayer, and we sat in a large circle. 8-10 people had been given little slips of paper ahead of time with specific things to focus on, and they took turns reading them and then leading a focused prayer. In between we sang a few songs a cappella, watched a video on outreach, and several people bared their souls about various things. It was very intimate, very touching, and very beneficial for our family. When it was over, I wanted to go ask my pastor when we could schedule it again, because it was so enjoyable. (I may still ask him.) Even my 7 year old participated, as well as a squirmy 7 year old can be expected to participate.
It was COMPLETELY out of the box that's labeled: Go into a room with a bunch of people, pray as loudly as possible, repeat the same things over and over for an hour, and leave as soon as the clock tells you you're done.
If that's what you're talking about, I agree with you. But corporate prayer, done right, can be very strengthening to the body of Christ.
I Corinthians addresses the protocol for corporate prayer and use of the gifts; there's no mention of telling people to only pray at home, in their closets. There should be time set aside for both personal prayer time and with other believers.
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"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
Last edited by MissBrattified; 03-14-2010 at 03:10 PM.
Yeah, I agree. But what about you....or the others....what were the "rules" of your fasts? We weren't allowed food OR water. Brutal. I went to work once on the second day of a food & water fast and nearly passed out numerous times.
Like I said, fasting isn't harped on in our church, so there aren't any "rules". When fasting has been discussed, it seems that nearly everyone drinks water.
Fasting is pretty much considered a private thing. We have occasional fast days where people can fast 'corporately' if they choose to, but there is no pressure. And no rules are ever laid out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by soldoutochrist
Evelyn Boyd's husband of 33 years, John Boyd started a Bartow Pentecostal church in 2003. [B]At Higher Praise Full Gospel Ministries,
Full Gospel isn't 'our' brand of Pentecostal, is it?
Like I said, fasting isn't harped on in our church, so there aren't any "rules". When fasting has been discussed, it seems that nearly everyone drinks water.
Fasting is pretty much considered a private thing. We have occasional fast days where people can fast 'corporately' if they choose to, but there is no pressure. And no rules are ever laid out.
Full Gospel isn't 'our' brand of Pentecostal, is it?
What's yours? Partial Gospel?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Now wait a minute.....in your other posts where you slam the heck outta me, you sound like Joe Churchboy. What gives?
The twice a month- was TIC. And where did I slam you? You have to remind me. I don't take 99 percent of what I and others post so seriously. This is the net. Don't know many here on a personal basis. etc.
Last Sunday night, our church had family prayer, and we sat in a large circle. 8-10 people had been given little slips of paper ahead of time with specific things to focus on, and they took turns reading them and then leading a focused prayer. In between we sang a few songs a cappella, watched a video on outreach, and several people bared their souls about various things. It was very intimate, very touching, and very beneficial for our family. When it was over, I wanted to go ask my pastor when we could schedule it again, because it was so enjoyable. (I may still ask him.) Even my 7 year old participated, as well as a squirmy 7 year old can be expected to participate.
Sounds something like how they had church in the New Testament.
Sounds something like how they had church in the New Testament.
I've been in Pentecost my whole life, and it was one of the best church experiences I've ever had!
__________________
"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
I've been in Pentecost my whole life, and it was one of the best church experiences I've ever had!
I think it's great when everyone is able to actively participate, when we are removed from merely spectator status. It really does make everything come alive!
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