Yesterday morning, on Facebook, I posted a photo of Faith Riders Fellowship Church members as they danced in praise and worship during a recent service. Someone not associated with our Church took offense to the photo stating that was a private time of prayer and we shouldn't put a picture like that on Facebook. I don't know if she is just misguided or is attempting to create drama within our Church family but I went looking for the answers where I knew I could find them, the Bible. I only wish she had.
What we were doing in that photo was not "private time" for prayer, this was a time for fellowship and worship with our family. We are not embarrassed or ashamed to let the world know we love our God, our Church, and each other. We were doing as the Bible very clearly tells us in Psalms 100:2, "Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him with singing." When you feel the Holy Spirit start to move inside a place of worship you can't help but get to your feet praising the Lord, clapping and singing along. If you have never felt this during a Church service, then you're in the wrong Church. If the Faith Riders Band can't give you this feeling, you need to search your heart and ask the Lord to come and be your Savior. When the music is right or the preacher is on fire and the spirit is touching your soul there is a feeling of joy that will wash over you that just can't be described to a person who has never found God. Have you ever been in a service and seen someone listening to the preacher or the praise music and one minute they're clapping and singing and the next they're on their knees at the alter? I have seen it. I have done it. One minute I was listening to the music and the feeling of blessing came over me to the point I was on my knees praying and thanking Jesus for the blessings he has given me in this life. I have watched as members of the band tried to continue on with their playing or singing while their faces were covered in tears. I have watched preachers get choked up on their own words because the spirit was so moving at that particular time. You can't feel that and not know there is a God.
Yes, there is a time for silent prayer just as we are told Jesus did in Luke 5:16 "But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer," and again in Mark 6:46 "After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray." Each of us should have that private, alone time to pray. We are told to find a "prayer closet" or somewhere you can retreat from distraction to be alone with God and speak to him. Never forget that you can pray anywhere, in church, on a walk, while travelling, anywhere is a good place to speak to the Lord. I found here lately that when I'm cutting my yard I have hours and hours to think and it is a wonderful time to thank God for everything he has done in my life and ask him to continue to watch over and protect those I love. Prayer time is anywhere and anytime. Praise time can also be anywhere and anytime. Don't believe me? Watch Pastor Ray Boone sometimes when he goes live on Facebook from his car and is singing and praising the Lord. He knows where he stands and by whose hand he is led.
Don't ever be embarrassed or ashamed to praise God just as you shouldn't be embarrassed or ashamed to let people know that you follow Jesus and you are one of his disciples carrying on the work he started. If you're embarrassed for a photo of you to be seen while you're praying or worshiping then it's either time to come out of your closet or time for you to really find God. He's not ashamed of you, why should you be ashamed of him?
