The other day, I was asked about the tradition of the prayer altar in our denomination and I had to say I had no clue. They had always been there and if you ever thought to remove them, there were those who would suggest that was a hard no. You see, the prayer altar is that place in the church were people come to offer sacrifices, prayers and intercessions to God. In the Nazarene church, this place is at the front of the church running, in most cases, across the front of the platform and has a padded kneeling area so it doesn’t hurt so much. In some Catholic church, there are drop down kneeling benches right in the pews where you can kneel in prayer without leaving your pew. I have also seen prie-Dieu (pray to God) which can be single or double stand alone kneelers that have s slanted table where you can put your elbows in prayer or even place your Bible for those times of contemplative meditation and prayer. There are those who go into a closet to pray in their special prayer room, others like Susanna Wesley would cover her head with her apron as a signal for others that she was in her alone time with God and there are those who will cover their heads with a tallit, a prayer shawl, and spend time with the Father there. No matter what, however, the purpose is the same, to spend quality time with God.
I attended a church where the prayer altar was always full. We had an altar ministry where people were willing and able to come alongside those at the altar and pray with others should they wish it. There was never a force call, none felt they had to go to the altar during prayer time, they just came forward and knelt in prayer. Some prayed in intercession for others in their lives, some prayed for healing and comfort while others prayed with tears of joys for answered prayers. Regardless of what their prayers, they were never alone at the altar and it was a wonderful place of communication with the Father and the faith family came alongside to share in the good and the hardships. I do remember one person who went to prayer at the altar and I asked if I could pray with him. He was about to go into an interview the next day and wanted to thank God in advance for what was about to happen. Whether the results were positive or “try again”, he wanted to let God know he was fully leaning on Him for strength and that His will be done. He was there again the next Sunday giving thanks for the opportunity presented (he did not get the job) but also praised the Lord for the better job offer he got two days later.
Here is the thing that really troubles me. I have seen the prayer altar go empty for months, even years, because people think that the congregation will assume they are there for confess all manners of sins but, truth be told, in that church I was in years ago, most of the prayers were intercession for others and prayers of thanksgiving for answered requests. This is not meant to brag or anything but on Sundays, I am usually at the altar an hour before I start to crank up the computers and get things ready. I am usually there again once the computer messes up but that’s a story for another time. The altar is that place where we can go for that time with Him, it is not a requirement for God to hear prayer but it is symbolic of kneeling before the Lord. The key is to pray, pray and rejoice.
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thes 5:16-18 NLT
Never let pride get in the way of kneeling before the Lord. This Sunday, Pastor Todd is going to dig a bit deeper into the blessing of prayer. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms) or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.
Blessings,
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