Oh the Glory!

Oh the glory of Your presence, we your temple, give You reverence!

What is the glory of God? What is the presence of God? What does it look like to see the manifest presence of Almighty God?

Can words describe it when the Holy Spirit descends on His people? Are there certain activities, characteristics or behaviors that are present when God’s Holy Spirit comes? Are there certain things that we can do as His worshipers to invite the presence of the Holy Spirit? All of these and more are questions that I have rolling around in my head after a week of prayer, worship, healings, miracles, corporate faithing, testimony, confession, laying on of hands and the glory of God coming upon His people. I can’t really put into words all that I experienced. I will try to somehow pass along what God has revealed to me so that I might somehow be a blessing to others and invite others to experience the mysterious and mighty presence of God.

This last week I attended a “conference” in Fort Worth to consider prayer and that we might be pushed towards corporate desperation for the glory and presence of God. The conference and the desperation of the attendees was expressed in words, groans, crying out, interceding, shouting, crying, worship, praise, humility and brokenness. From the time the first prayer service began it was obvious that the leaders (and likely many of the participants) had been crying out for God’s mercy to be upon His people and for God to do signs, wonders and miracles among His people and thereby transform the hearts and minds of broken people. Each prayer service and teaching session was marked by prayers with “loud cries and tears” as the people just invited God to change our understanding and experience of Him (in most of our lives/churches) from “Ichobod” (the glory has departed) to “Ebenezer” (living sacrifices placed on the altar). During these sessions people experienced physical, emotional, spiritual and relational healing. Chains were broken, faith was imparted and built, prophetic words were uttered for the edifying of God’s people and above all God’s name was glorified!

The only identifiable things that the leaders did to prepare for this conference was desperation, prayer, fasting and saturation in the Word. The manifestations of God’s presence included shouts of praise, agreement in prayer, more desperation and much testimony. It was not a program, a song, certain magical or mystical words that brought about the presence of God and no it was not an emotional, chaotic gathering of people trying to have a ‘spiritual’ experience. It was nothing short of the throne room and the glory of God!

I pray that we would each seek after the glory of God! I pray that we would learn with Mary what it is to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen. I want to touch the hem of His robe and sense His power pouring over me. I pray that we would refuse to accept anything less than the manifest presence of God in our lives and our churches. Will you pray that prayer with me? Can we together learn what it is to be broken, empty, weak vessels that God fills and uses?