Hi Folks, I am sort of new here, and used to belong to a "charismatic" church, and have no beef with them, so this is not an antagonistic question.
But I have friends that are into this "prayer soaking" thing- where they lay around on long sheets of what looks like blue plastic saran wrap (representing a river) and even lay under the plastic. There is also a piece of plastic that's white, a circle, placed on the floor, called a "portal" for the Holy Spirit to "enter". They chant, and from what I observed, seemed to get into an altered state of consciousness. The visiting evangelist brought with him this sort of "shrine" looking thing, with candles, gem stones, a bridal veil (that he wears sometimes) and some scarves he wears, decorated with rhinestones, sequins, etc. He brings all his "love gifts" that people send him, like a red satin heart shaped pillow. These items are arranged on a table. There is also a "crown" on top of the stack of items, as well as a breastplate, with 12 stones, representing the 12 tribes of Israel.
They stand or sit for HOURS (4-5) listening to music that frankly sounds very "new age"-ish to me.
I cannot find any Scriptural evidence for what I believe is this hokey-ness. And I read that this "soaking" started with the Toronto blessing thing.
I don't see where we need props and "things" to enter into the presence of God nor to mediate on His Word.
Anyone want to defend this SOAKING experience? You are free to do so, but I've seen it, and do not believe it to be of the Holy Spirit, but that's just my opinion- you all may state yours.
Respectfully,
Emet http://forums.carm.org/vbb/showthrea...r-Soaking-quot
I've never heard of this, even amongst charismatics, anyone else ever heard of such?????
Sounds like Hoodoo to me. There are several divisions of Hoodoo and Voodoo (Voudon, whatever) that are based in Christianity with a lot of "tools" that are used in normal witchcraft mixed in.
__________________ For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. (Romans 14:11- NASB)
I researched this some more on the web after reading this thread, and I learned that soaking prayer emphasizes leaving your mind blank, and that concerns me. Prayer in the bible is purposeful and not leaving one's mind blank. Emptying our minds to receive "whatever" is more involved in transcendental meditation. I heard much teaching on the dangers of leaving one's mind blank and more or less opening oneself up to ANY spirit, not just the Lord's, inadvertently. It is said that the enemy is attracted to that sort of fluff, since it invites a take-over of the mind, while God never takes us over but always cooperates with us with our consciousness fully alert and involved.
Comments?
I agree it sounds Eastern/New Age.
Not so sure about all the "opening oneself up to Spirits" stuff though. Heard that my whole life and it frankly sounds silly. I think it just misses the mark. We reflect and meditate... not on us... on God, His Word, His Mission, His Call, His Character, etc...
I think it's harmless (as far as people worrying about "catching spirits"), but missing the mark of what prayer and meditation is all about.
The best way to get rid of all the noise of life is to reflect on His peace. Nothing wrong with finding rest. A place of quiet solitude, no one barking up a prayer, working hard to manufacture a "move of God," but just resting in Him.
I researched this some more on the web after reading this thread, and I learned that soaking prayer emphasizes leaving your mind blank, and that concerns me. Prayer in the bible is purposeful and not leaving one's mind blank. Emptying our minds to receive "whatever" is more involved in transcendental meditation. I heard much teaching on the dangers of leaving one's mind blank and more or less opening oneself up to ANY spirit, not just the Lord's, inadvertently. It is said that the enemy is attracted to that sort of fluff, since it invites a take-over of the mind, while God never takes us over but always cooperates with us with our consciousness fully alert and involved.
Comments?
I've read a little on christian meditation and while TM talks about emptying the mind CM is about filling the mind with God's word. I've read where hinduism is about connecting to our inner diety, I don't see why CM cannot be about connecting to the HG in CM. any thoughts?
We used to call this "waiting on the Lord". Nothing strange about that in itself. Just getting before Jesus ans waiting on him expecting to hear from him. This plastic sheet and portal stuff IS STRANGE.
Now if lets say some one may have been directed of the Lord to have done that at some point for some reason it would be valid. But to make a doctrine out of it or some new "movement" seems like a delusion.
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