Kneeling in the Need of Prayer

Last week, I received the following note, from a woman in our congregation, via e-mail. With the sender’s permission, I am sharing it with you. It is an inspiring tale of the prompting—and filling, I’d say—of the Holy Spirit. She writes:

“As you were closing a sermon a few weeks ago, you were encouraging listeners to pray at the altar [what I usually refer to as ‘kneeling benches’—you know, the padded kneelers that stretch across the front of our Madison Park Main Auditorium]. In fact, you made the statement, ‘God is here.’ I almost laughed.

“God is everywhere, isn’t He? That is the exact reason I have never prayed at the altar. What difference could it possibly make where I pray? I pray when I’m driving to work in the morning, numerous times throughout the day, and before I go to sleep.

“During the very week you made the statement, I had a crisis. You’ve heard of a dark night of the soul. I had a dark week of the soul. No one could help me. Everyone I knew had advice. All the advice was conflicting. It was not helping. It only made things worse.

“The next Sunday morning you were traveling [I was speaking at a Church of God Convention in Missouri on August 12]. I went to the altar for the first time. I went to the side where I could pray alone [we always reserve the kneeling benches on the south side of the platform—on the left side, as you look forward from the back of the room—for ‘private, personal prayer’]. Frankly, my expectations were low. I had already told God everything. I was waiting.

“There was a man to my right crying, audibly. There were two women on my left. Please understand that I am not an emotional person. I might even be a little low on sensitivity. People crying in public, even if it is at an altar, is uncomfortable for me. I had no way of knowing that what would happen next would change my life.

“The moment I knelt, I felt a presence. Even the air seemed heavy and warm. I had to work a little harder to breath. It wasn’t unpleasant, just clearly different, altered, or out of the ordinary. I began to pray. Everything I had planned to say was gone from my mind. The dialog was unrehearsed and raw.

“The root of the ‘problem’ or crisis poured out. I could feel ‘His’ presence. I didn’t know if it was the presence of God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. It’s all so confusing. It didn’t matter. It was the presence of Comfort, Joy, Peace, Help.

“There was so much to say. I could hear people entering the sanctuary behind me for the next service. I needed to hurry! I didn’t want to hurry. I felt I was praying for the first time in my life.

“Over the next twenty-four hours, I experienced a miraculous answer to my crisis. Everyone who had been aware of the crisis witnessed the miracle. The answer was evident and unexplainable and so com-pletely over-the-top that even non-believing wit-nesses were amazed.

“On Monday afternoon, someone told me that there was ‘open prayer’ at the church. [The Main Auditorium is reserved for prayer each Monday evening, beginning at 5:30pm.] I couldn’t wait to go. Once I parked my car, I practically ran inside. There was just one other person there. I chose the very end spot at the altar. I didn’t want to bother anyone else.

“This time I did not feel the ‘heavy’ presence. I began to pray. At first it was awkward. My thoughts were scattered and dialog seemed forced. Within ten minutes my mind began to feel focused and dialog became authentic. I talked and I talked and I talked. I poured out every fear, dream, hope, secret, failing, unbelief, goal, and disappointment. I was astonished when I could feel my soul worship-ping. It was almost automatic and I was along for the glorious ride. I began to tear up and then to sob. I have never sobbed.

“I experienced worship for the first time. My mind, heart, and soul were shouting out how magnificent it was to be in the presence of God. The thoughts of exultation went on and on. I felt witness to them. The thoughts could not have come from me. I was changed forever. I was in the presence of God!

“I was completely unaware of anyone else around me. Anyone who would have been watch-ing and hearing my sobs would have thought I was mourning a great loss, when, in fact, I was joyfully worshipping.

“Every Sunday and Monday since, I have been at the altar. You were right. He is there! I wish every person who walked into our church could experience His presence.”

Me, too. You can reach for the same. This Sunday. And Monday, too. At Madison Park.

An Autumn Sampler

An Autumn Sampler

There’s energy in the air at Madison Park this fall... and here are just a few of the reasons why: Dreams Work is a new Sunday sermon series—and a new initiative in which our entire congregation can participate—that will carry us through the first Sunday in November. A dream can be a powerful thing—a necessary instrument to move forward in life and, sometimes, an indispensable gift when facing the challenges of life. Dreams come in all shapes and sizes, of course, and not all dreams come from God. But, when Heaven helps us, imagine what might be—when Heaven helps us to have faith that what is not yet seen will someday, in fact, be seen, well, then the world begins to change. For the better.

I’ve had a few dreams over time. But, what’s next? I still must be open to God’s impression on my heart for the days ahead. Where is God taking me in the next chapter of my life? What does He want it to look like? How does He want me to grow and develop? What does He want me to become? How does He want me to influence my world? Is it possible that He has things in store that I can’t by myself imagine—and that I can’t by myself achieve? Can the same be said of you, too?

“Dreams and visions” are the mark of the New Testament church (as Peter proclaimed on the day of Pentecost, quoting from the Old Testament prophet Joel). Our church needs a dream. Our town needs a dream. You need a dream. We all need God, defining our future and inspiring our hope. Dreams work. They empower us to reach beyond what we can touch today and give birth to better tomorrows. Dream with us, as we explore the Bible’s extensive catalog of, quite literally, dreamy passages.

Look for ways you can participate in the Dreams Work initiative. Dare to dream big, and watch God at work.

Men’s Fraternity is back—with duplicate sessions on Wednesday evenings (at 7:00pm), beginning September 19, and Friday mornings (at 6:00am) on September 21. Each session will be crisp and clean, a 60-minute power hour designed to challenge guys in The Quest for Authentic Manhood. Tens of thousands of men across the country have built spiritual muscle with this anointed curriculum, grounded in God’s Word and speaking directly into the masculine heart and mind. Don’t miss this chance to stretch and grow; don’t miss this chance to experience the camaraderie and life-changing dynamics of the Fraternity. All men are welcome; choose Wednesday or Friday; bring a friend or two.

This semester will include lessons like: Genesis and Manhood (2-parts), A Man and His Wife (2 parts), 25 Ways to Be a Servant Leader, Fathers and Sons, Fathers and Daughters, and A Man and His Life Journey. Each lesson is free-standing (you don’t have to attend every one to make it worthwhile). But, to maximize your experience, show up for all eleven Fraternity meetings.

The Wednesday evening Fraternity meets in The Commons; the Friday morning Fraternity will meet in the Crossroads Auditorium (with a continental breakfast). I am absolutely committed to being in the Fraternity this fall and very excited about teaching in it. We’ll have break-out groups at each Fraternity, too—groups that will form by the third week and stay together throughout. And don’t wimp out because you’ll have to be in a break-out group. Grow up and get committed. This is a Fraternity, after all—if you don’t want to be a part of “the house,” live with Mom and Dad at home. If you step up and take a chance with Men’s Fraternity, I guarantee that you’ll look back on this fall as one of the best in your life—and want more.

I am praying for 300. Yes, 300 men to participate. Be one of them.

Women of the Word (WOW) will resume on Wednesday night, September 19, also (at 7:00pm), with teaching sessions and break-out discussion groups in the Main Street conference rooms at Madison Park. Barbara Collier and a team of co-leaders are ready to WOW you with in-depth Scripture study and everyday application of its truths this fall. All women are invited.

And, all ladies are invited to the RefresHer women’s Bible study on Tuesday mornings at Madison Park, too—one of the congregation’s most successful and effective teaching and body-building ministries (now in its 16th year!). Becky Rosenberg and Tami Seulean lead this much-loved program, which blesses hundreds of women.

Whew. I haven’t even begun to share with you the great opportunities you can find in Sunday School and small groups this fall, too. Or in the children’s ministries (Trunk ’n Treat is coming to Madison Park!). Or student ministries. And Convergence (the new 10:45am Sunday worship celebration in the Crossroads Auditorium for young adults). And Stephen Arterburn (preaching this fall). And Leonard Sweet (okay, more on him in another edition of threads). So much to tell. So little time.

Be encouraged. Be a part. Join the journey. Connect. Grow. Serve. This fall at Madison Park. Boy, I’m glad to be here! Thanks for being here, too.