Does God ONLY move at the Altar?

[Esther]

I do not have the strenght right now to do the kind of altar work that I used to do.

I have always loved working the altars. Some of my greatest blessing was rejoicing with someone God was restoring.

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

We have sadly also lost most Altar Workers.

Sad but true. It's a whole lot of work sometimes to work those altars and I happen to love the job! As long as their is breath in my body and strength to be at church....I will be in that altar with anyone who needs my help. God bless!

[tamor]

Originally Posted by COOPER

It's not the place, it's the God in the place.

Amen Coop!

[Felicity]

Of course God can minister to people any place. Doesn't have to be at the altar. Going to the altar signifies thirst, desire, hunger, and need to me. So people go there to pray for that reason.

But we can be ministered to any place that we reach out to God.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Esther

I do not have the strenght right now to do the kind of altar work that I used to do.

I have always loved working the altars. Some of my greatest blessing was rejoicing with someone God was restoring.

And that is the thing, Esther. When you are in tune with God for that person and are able to led them closer to God, receive deliverance, etc., it's an awesome thing to be that "instrument of peace".

The beauty, IMO, is that person praying and you guiding them, feels as though God stopped the whole world for them that very night/day. I love that!

Some people need someone to help them. Others think they do, but really God wants them to pray and fight for themselves. That is why we need to be sensitive.

[Felicity]

I can remember when I was much younger - in my teens - praying around the altar or in the prayer room and my pastor's wife or pastor would come around and just lay their hand on my head or back or whatever and pray a short prayer and then just moved on. I liked that because you knew that they cared about you but they didn't stay there forever and totally distract you from receiving from God or interrupt what God was doing or what was happening between you and God at that time and place.

What I DON'T like is when people feel they have to hang on and hang on and hang on to you and go on forever when you're just wanting to spend time alone with the Lord.

You don't want to be rude of course but you feel like saying ... "Will you PLEASE just move on and leave me alone?!!! Thank you very much!!"

LOL!

So I try and be sensitive. God is the One who does the ministering. Sometimes He ministers through people speaking a word of encouragement or word of knowledge or wisdom or whatever, and that's fine!

But you need to use some commonsense and wisdom and know what's appropriate when.

And what about when you're in travailing or intercessory prayer and people think you're burdened because of discouragement or something! And again,they come along and stay and stay and stay and try to pray you through! Arrgghhh! LOL!!

The problem is we don't have enough of that sort of thing {travail and intercessory prayer) happening in churches anymore for people to know that's what's going on. Sad, it is.

[freeatlast]

We could learn much from all the scripturall references to altar workers.

We see so many examples in scripture of people praying other folks thru.

Could some one post those scriptures here....that would be helpful.

[Esther]

Originally Posted by Felicity

I can remember when I was much younger - in my teens - praying around the altar or in the prayer room and my pastor's wife or pastor would come around and just lay their hand on my head or back or whatever and pray a short prayer and then just moved on. I liked that because you knew that they cared about you but they didn't stay there forever and totally distract you from receiving from God or interrupt what God was doing or what was happening between you and God at that time and place.

What I DON'T like is when people feel they have to hang on and hang on and hang on to you and go on forever when you're just wanting to spend time alone with the Lord.

You don't want to be rude of course but you feel like saying ... "Will you PLEASE just move on and leave me alone?!!! Thank you very much!!"

LOL!

So I try and be sensitive. God is the One who does the ministering. Sometimes He ministers through people speaking a word of encouragement or word of knowledge or wisdom or whatever, and that's fine!

But you need to use some commonsense and wisdom and know what's appropriate when.

And what about when you're in travailing or intercessory prayer and people think you're burdened because of discouragement or something! And again,they come along and stay and stay and stay and try to pray you through! Arrgghhh! LOL!!

The problem is we don't have enough of that sort of thing {travail and intercessory prayer) happening in churches anymore for people to know that's what's going on. Sad, it is.

So, so very true!!!

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Felicity

I can remember when I was much younger - in my teens - praying around the altar or in the prayer room and my pastor's wife or pastor would come around and just lay their hand on my head or back or whatever and pray a short prayer and then just moved on. I liked that because you knew that they cared about you but they didn't stay there forever and totally distract you from receiving from God or interrupt what God was doing or what was happening between you and God at that time and place.

What I DON'T like is when people feel they have to hang on and hang on and hang on to you and go on forever when you're just wanting to spend time alone with the Lord.

You don't want to be rude of course but you feel like saying ... "Will you PLEASE just move on and leave me alone?!!! Thank you very much!!"

LOL!

So I try and be sensitive. God is the One who does the ministering. Sometimes He ministers through people speaking a word of encouragement or word of knowledge or wisdom or whatever, and that's fine!

But you need to use some commonsense and wisdom and know what's appropriate when.

And what about when you're in travailing or intercessory prayer and people think you're burdened because of discouragement or something! And again,they come along and stay and stay and stay and try to pray you through! Arrgghhh! LOL!!

The problem is we don't have enough of that sort of thing {travail and intercessory prayer) happening in churches anymore for people to know that's what's going on. Sad, it is.

That is sad, but I'm afraid what's even sadder is we don't have this happening BEFORE the altar service at home either.

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Originally Posted by Esther

Where is the altar?

Why is there no old fashion altar calls instead of inviting all to come?

Why are the new churches being built without altars?

Boom these are things I have thought of this week as well.

Started to start a similiar thread last week.

Mega churches do away with altars, and now have buildings suited to drama and watching movies. I am not at church for a comfortable chair- I am there to get an experience with God.!!!

Esther, do we invite "all to come" or do we agree "you are lost if you are too far in the back."

oloroid