I have a question and look forward to reading your answers. I had another sleepless night and while I laid there trying to fall asleep I had this thought, ‘Why do we go to the alter for prayer at the close of a service?’ I don’t know why this thought came to me. Yes I was praying. I have a prayer board I made hanging next to my bed so when I cannot sleep I can pray for others. Then BANG! This thought just popped into my head. Why is it that we ask people to come to the front of the church with all eyes on them at the end of the service? I have served on a prayer team for the current church I am a member of and have served in this same department at previous churches and never had this thought crossed my mind. I have many times been heart broken when the alter of prayer remained empty, knowing that many are hurting lost, and have some kind of need, either for themselves or a loved one. So why am I laying in bed praying and hoping for sleep did I question why do we ask people to come to the alter with the congregation as an audience to pray? I started thinking how many do not approach because they don’t want every eye looking at them, passing judgement (this does not mean they are being judged but the fear of being judged and maybe even gossiped about). I thought about Jesus teaching us to go into our closet to pray, but then I also thought about the scriptures about going to the elders to have them lay hands on us to pray and anoint us. These thoughts may be nothing more than thoughts of a sleep deprived mind. But I would like to know if anyone knows when this part of a church service began?
Category: Curiosity
Can You answer This Question?
There is one question that I have been asked a number of times and never been satisfied with my own answer. So I am asking you for your answer and insights.
What is the fear of the Lord? And Why fear Him? Can you give an answer please?
“Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.
[ The Essence of the Law ] “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
And you shall eat before the Lord your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.
For the Lord has made the Jordan a border between you and us, you children of Reuben and children of Gad. You have no part in the Lord.” So your descendants would make our descendants cease fearing the Lord.’
“Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord!
If you fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the Lord your God.
But the Lord your God you shall fear; and He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.”
And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’”
The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble.
Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day;
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
His delight is in the fear of the Lord, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;
So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”
I have read the scriptures and more than the ones that I have listed mention the fear of the Lord. When I have been asked about fearing the Lord I have struggled with my answers. It is difficult for me to say fear the Lord when I have come to understand how much He loves me. Fear and love do not seem to go together. So what is the fear of the Lord? Please if anyone has any answer to this question please tell me.
Thank you and God bless.
Question?
This may be a morbid question, but why do they put fences around cemeteries?
Are they afraid that the dead will want to get out?
Or are they trying to keep people out?
Don’t know why this thought came to me, but I just had to ask.
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