I visited one church a few months ago and to my amazement the Pastor appeared not to have experience in leading an unbeliever to the Lord. I was thinking to myself here is a sister that wants Jesus but no one capable of leading her to Him? The call to salvation was made and she began to walk to the front of the sanctuary, I immediately stood to my feet and walked to the back of the Church - face to the wall where I cried with joy and thanksgiving (without causing confusion in this conservative gathering.)
As I stood there with my back to everyone I was waiting for the famous "sinners prayer" to begin. I only heard things like, "oh this is so wonderful", "come on you'll give God a praise," and the repetition of like phrasings. Then out of nowhere the organ player started to make the organ scream, the bass player joined in, and then the ever loud drums began to clang in my ear. People were dancing and shouting and that was it.
After the church service concluded I was thinking ok, now a team will come and get this person and take her to the back office space for refreshments, and provide her with a real explanation of salvation, plus pray with her. NOT!
This lady was still in tears. I am thinking, how can the service end like this - this lady have not given her life yet to the Lord. Just when I thought the service was done everyone was asked in the spirit of giving to prepare an offering. The Pastor asked everyone to follow the ushers as they would provide direction for a speedy process. We began to walk around towards the front of the sanctuary to give in the offering. As I approach where she was standing, I was listening intently for the Lord to give me something to say. After the offering was collected, I thought to myself how I will connect with her? At once the Pastor started with the benediction and prayer for the offering.
Immediately after the closing prayer this lady and I eyes met. I wanted to say something to her so bad but I did not receive a green light, I felt empty yet anxious. Then the Pastor announced for all the visitors to lift their right hand. I and a few others raised our hands including her. The Pastor welcomed us to come again and then dismissed the congregation saying hug and love somebody before you leave. I leaped in my heart saying YES this is my chance to connect with her.
I hugged several people touching each one with love, but trying desperately to reach her not sure of what I would even do once we connected. Then, there she stood in front of me; I wanted to wiz her off of her feet and welcome her as a sister that I have missed all of my life. Yeah that would have freaked her out right – not to mention the conservatism that I notice in this church. But when I stood in her presence, I looked in her eyes and Jesus was staring at me. Still tears were in the wells of her eyes and I began to smile and cry saying welcome to my family and may God keep you all of your days. We hugged and I left out very excited but still somewhat confused.
I walked briskly; crossing the parking lot weaving in and out of parked cars trying to reach my car to talk with God about this experience. I unlocked the door, sat down, turned the ignition, and for a while rested there thinking. I said in my heart to the Lord - what was that Daddy? The Lord replied to me, do you recall the thief on the cross? I said yes Papa. He said, do you recall what I told him? I said yes Papa. He said the same with this one and millions of others. I see the sinner heart without the restating of a "sinner prayer." The Spirit of God continued to deal with me saying often times the "sinner prayer," misses the point and is long and repetitive, plagued by decorative words, and results in a meaningless ritual.
I love God so much today and I hope you know how much He loves you.
Luke 23:42-44 ESV
42And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
1 Peter 3:1-3 NKJ 1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—
Darrin Carter
