The kids came up for praise and worship the other morning during Sunday service. What a blessing it was to us to have them all sitting in the front pew singing and praising with us, with their teachers sitting behind them. The thing that impressed me the most however was when after the singing I took prayer requests from the congregation and then called the church to prayer. At the moment I said, "Let's all go to God in prayer" the kids on the front row ALL went to the altar and knelt with their hands clasped in prayer! They have an altar in the children's church area and it was apparent that their teachers and leaders have taught them what it is for and are utilizing it.
Why is it that when I call the church up to the altar to pray there are more that will not come than do. Now don't go getting pious on me and say, "We can talk to God as good in the pews as we can at the altar." You think I don't know that? Some of the best prayer time I enjoy is in my car when on the road. However when I am in His house, even by myself many days during the week, I always kneel, or stand, or sit, at the altar and pray. Those altars that stretch across the front of our sanctuary are not just pieces of furniture. The forefathers that designed that church also designed to have these altars. We think that because Jesus has torn the veil into between us and access to God that the altar is not necessary any longer. Again, do not think that I am saying that the altar is the ONLY place you can have audience with God but understand that the altar still serves as the place in the House of God where we can come together, as a body of believers, to meet with God in His House.
Let me tell you what use to keep me from the altars in churches. First of all I was not saved so the altar held no more significance for me than the piano or the pews did. When I finally accepted Christ, it was not at the altar; in was in the pews! About two weeks later I made my way up to the altar and was met by the pastor and several other saints who prayed with me and for me. It was a very special moment for me and at that moment I wished I had went to the altar earlier. There is something about that altar. I think pride kept me from the altar that day I got saved. I did not want to appear that I had an issue by going up to the altar. After all what would others think of me? "Why is he going up there, what has he done?" Some may not come to the altar because they think they don't need to. (Hear the pride in that statement?) Which of us are not in need of Gods guidance; even when things are going well for us!
The altar is becoming more and more less important. People are becoming more and more dignified. Jesus said this; "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels." (Luke 9:26)
At the very least Christians should be honored to come to the altar. Coming to the altar is not just for sinners, or people in distress, or people who are ill. We worship at the altar! We praise at the altar!
I may be old fashioned in my thinking. Maybe I am making a too big of deal about it. Say what you will, think what you want, but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord and every time I have an opportunity in our church or some other one; you will find me at the altar sooner or later.
Why is it that when I call the church up to the altar to pray there are more that will not come than do. Now don't go getting pious on me and say, "We can talk to God as good in the pews as we can at the altar." You think I don't know that? Some of the best prayer time I enjoy is in my car when on the road. However when I am in His house, even by myself many days during the week, I always kneel, or stand, or sit, at the altar and pray. Those altars that stretch across the front of our sanctuary are not just pieces of furniture. The forefathers that designed that church also designed to have these altars. We think that because Jesus has torn the veil into between us and access to God that the altar is not necessary any longer. Again, do not think that I am saying that the altar is the ONLY place you can have audience with God but understand that the altar still serves as the place in the House of God where we can come together, as a body of believers, to meet with God in His House.Let me tell you what use to keep me from the altars in churches. First of all I was not saved so the altar held no more significance for me than the piano or the pews did. When I finally accepted Christ, it was not at the altar; in was in the pews! About two weeks later I made my way up to the altar and was met by the pastor and several other saints who prayed with me and for me. It was a very special moment for me and at that moment I wished I had went to the altar earlier. There is something about that altar. I think pride kept me from the altar that day I got saved. I did not want to appear that I had an issue by going up to the altar. After all what would others think of me? "Why is he going up there, what has he done?" Some may not come to the altar because they think they don't need to. (Hear the pride in that statement?) Which of us are not in need of Gods guidance; even when things are going well for us!
The altar is becoming more and more less important. People are becoming more and more dignified. Jesus said this; "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels." (Luke 9:26)
At the very least Christians should be honored to come to the altar. Coming to the altar is not just for sinners, or people in distress, or people who are ill. We worship at the altar! We praise at the altar!
I may be old fashioned in my thinking. Maybe I am making a too big of deal about it. Say what you will, think what you want, but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord and every time I have an opportunity in our church or some other one; you will find me at the altar sooner or later.
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