I DREAM OF A DAY WHEN THE ALTARS ARE OPEN! (no more forgetting hurting people)

Why is it so easy to preach and so difficult to pray?
Every Saturday and every Sunday churches & congregations get together and Less and less of the leaders have a designated time at the altar to pray during or after service. Most of us can absolutely relate to this conflict on an individual level.  It's much easier to preach and teach than it is to pause and allow ourselves to enjoy some quiet time before the Lord in prayer & meditation. Who knows if maybe some of us are seemingly wired or designed this way?

Or perhaps we are all guilty at one time or another of being more inclined to go  and to speak rather than to stop to listen for God's direction & guidance? Talking is fun! Learning is so much fun too. I admit I love to listen to youtube on any given subject and hear my favorite preachers and teachers- even other non-experts my age- teaching me what they've learned from great experience. God doesn't frown upon talking and learning and teaching. In the book of proverbs, it says that a good word is like a fountain of life. So what's so wrong w good teaching ALONE? Why can't we all just learn and go home? What does Yeshua think?

Yeshua Jesus said my house shall be called a house of prayer. (From Mathew 21:13)  He knew when to talk and teach and he certainly also spent time praying inside and outside the temple for the sick, the blind and those in need. So you might say, we're not Jesus. You might say, healing is not for today. If you feel this way... I hope to sway you today.



WHAT IF WE IGNORE THE PROBLEM?

 My husband (Minister) Joe Franco and I have traveled to well over 400 Churches and congregations around the United States of America and throughout Israel and Europe and have noticed that in way too many congregations, the altars (the place for sending and receiving healing prayers ) are closed. I often think. "People are needlessly suffering in silence and struggling and God is looking for a vessel." Fill me with supernatural power to pray with someone, Lord." And then, the leader dismisses the service in haste and my heart breaks.

If the believers don't use our God-given power to bless and pray for healing, the "world" offers pretty good teaching too and THEY will and they DO believe in their OWN power to heal. It's ok to be mad at their misguided view  but I hope we all learn from their zeal. The power to heal does not come by human might or power but from the spirit of the Lord. If we as believers dare decide NOT to offer more than what the world gives, will the people we love ever come and meet with their God? If we hold back this beautiful gift because we feel weak (though God promises to be strong in us) then who will go and bring comfort to those cryng out?

And if we do not take out a few moments in God's presence, how can we ourselves be renewed, healed and strengthened in Messiah when we are empty and have nothing to give at all? Shall we then spin around like busy bees and just become human Do-ings? Or shall we as the body of Messiah, RISE UP and bring people back to the altar? What could be a more urgent reason for gathering at a service than the need to pray?  There is nothing more important than to lift up each others'  needs &  LISTEN for God's direction so we can be free.

Who among us does not need liberation from fear, heartache, disenchantment with the world, obsessions, and the list goes on? Our Abba Father longs for us to experience His life more abundantly so we can be equipped to GO and make the great commission our mission to bring deliverance & salvation.




*********************************************************************************************************
MOSES: ONE EXAMPLE OF PRAYER

Even Moses knew He needed God's presence.
So Moses said to Adonai “You say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My eyes.’ Now then, I pray, if I have found grace in Your eyes, show me Your ways, so that I may know You, so that I might find favor in Your sight. Consider also that this nation is Your people.”

“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest,” He answered. But then he said to Him, “If Your presence does not go with me, don’t let us go up from here! Exodus 33:12-15
So why are the altars on lock mode? What could be the reasons the waters of healing are roped off for those who wanna dive in?

(Below are some reasons are lies the enemy has been secretly whispering into the ears of some of the most awesome loving pastors and rabbis around the World. It's time to forgive our leaders for forgetting and encourage them to re-open the altars.)

*********************************************************************************************************


THE SOLUTION

Myths or lies we are tempted to believe
1.The Word of God says we are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  So people can just pray at home or in their cars on the way to church. 
Joe's Answer:
This negates the needs for God's spirit to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. During the message, people often hear things that show them they need to change to conformed to the image of God. Prayer at the end of the message helps a person repent and receive healing to be a stronger believer. 
2. We don't have time to pray at the end of service because we have to get to the fellowship/food time. 
Joe's Answer:
What's more important prayer or pasta? If we need to rush to eat together, consider shortening the worship service, announcements, or add altar prayer time during worship. 
3. It's easier to just pray once a month or once a week on a separate day 
Joe's Answer:
The Scriptures teach us to pray always and prayer at the end of the message helps solidify the message in the believer's heart. 
4. We say the "our father" together as a congregation and that's enough. 
Joe's Answer:
The prayer "Our Father" is  the example of how we should pray to the father, and a good start. But nothing takes the place of personal, heartfelt prayer to God at the altar. Also, the Word of God commands us to lay hands on the sick. (James 5:13)
In conclusion, my family and friends, I beg you today to consider this one thing. Le'ts make 2017 a year of renewal, healing, and power by going back to tarrying at the altar.

*********************************************************************************************************

MY STORY?

Since coming into true relationship with the Lord in 1990, other people's prayers for me have changed my life. Those prayers have healed my spirit so much that I've been able to watch myself grow into a happier, more whole, more patient, and loving human being. through prayer at the altar alone, I have overcome the pain of being touched the wrong way as a child, the pain of realizing that fame and education will not satisfy the way I had thought they would.  I have been healed of a major stomach illness that had caused by horrible anxiety, and much more. Also, without even using words, I have a partaker in being  part of a designated group
at the altar through the simple act of praying over others & I've seen God rebuild people's lives.  Through prayer, we are changed & as we sincerely confess, all of our wrongs are in Gods sea of forgetfulness. I've been released revived and renewed. I come back to be refueled as often as I can. Even if I don't WANNA pray, I pray for the willingness to want to pray.
As for my marriage, I also thoroughly enjoy the time my husband and I spend together at the altar as a couple just sitting silently for a brief time. We are not perfect but we are being closely knit together. Sometimes I kneel, Sometimes I sit "Criss cross apple sauce" and other times, I just cover my face with my hair so no one can see my intimate & reassuring private conversation with God.


*********************************************************************************************************

DO YOU WANNA BE A PART OF THIS ALTAR-TIME REVOLUTION?

If you agree today and feel this is a real issue in the congregations today stopping us from moving forward, Will you join with me in what I will call the "back to the altar" revolution? Let's start this today? Say with me "Lord- let peace begin w me!"
What can I do to make an impact?
A- WHY NOT OFFER TO BE THE ONE?
if you are a seasoned believer,  offer to your leader to be a "prayer worker" or designated person to pray for others after service. To avoid confusion & protect the people and pastor, every temple needs designated folks to pray for people. You do not have to be a perfect vessel. Remember that God chooses the weak to shame the strong and he is made powerful in our weakness. Make sure you abide by the rules of your pastor. 

B- WHY NOT BE THE FIRST?
Don't be afraid to be the first one to come and kneel and sit before God at the altar. Ask your leader: What is the acceptable time, either after service or during worship to come to the altar? The Lord will reward you for spending time w him. Praying at your seat is good too if you can quiet your soul enough there to avoid distraction. I like to kneel at my seat so I can privately listen and talk with God. 

C- BELIEVE AGAIN that there is power in prayer.
Don't be deceived by people who say you can heal thru therapy and doctors alone. We all need God's healing hand and must humbly admit that it is God who anoints our doctors and therapists. There are some spiritual ailments that only the Lord can heal if we let Him. Thank God for our doctors but don't forget Doctor Father God!

I look forward to hearing your praise reports as you challenge yourself to urgently awaken the part of your spirit which longs to sit in His presence to be fueled and empowered by Adonai. As we enter into the holidays, let us remember that the greatest present truly is Adonai's presence! Our gift is wrapped up in God's arms and set aside just for us.

If we die tomorrow, we will die happy, knowing we have made a difference and that we have made our community stronger one person at a time.Add your comments below if you like.
All my love,
Michelle gold 
Www.michellegold.com