Monday, January 13, 2014

A Conference on Prayer and Repentance?

A CONFERENCE ON PRAYER AND REPENTANCE?

There are literally hundreds of Christian conferences held every year all around the country.

Prophecy conferences

Marriage conferences

Financial conferences

Worship conferences

Israel conferences

Pro-life conferences

Certain preacher conferences

Gifts of the Spirit conferences

New book release conferences

Christian music conferences

Youth conferences

Spiritual warfare conferences

Calvinist conferences

Pastor conferences

Women’s conferences

Men’s conferences

Church growth conferences

Evangelism conferences

Counseling conference

I have yet to see a “Prayer and Repentance Conference” which calls all the attendees to obedience. No books, no Cds, no music, just prayer and a call to repentance. Who would travel for that conference?

Around 1980, Keith Green was invited to the first "Washington for Jesus" event. It was subtitled "a national day of prayer and repentance". As usual, he was asked to close the evening, which had included a whose-who of popular Christian music artists at the time. Instead of repentance, what Keith saw was just another pep rally with vendors selling what he liked to call "Jesus Junk".

Before Keith came out to perform, the MC asked everyone to give Jesus a big round of applause. Keith mentioned to the speaker next to him, "If when I go on I get a bigger applause than Jesus, watch what happens next." He comes to the piano and the crowd goes nuts, definitely louder than what they gave Jesus. Keith says "I've been here all day and I haven't seen any prayer and I definitely haven't seen any repentance. I cannot be a part of this." And then he left the stage.
 
Revive us again, O Lord.ith mentioned to the speaker next to him "If when I go on I get a bigger applause than Jesus, watch what happens next". He comes to the piano, and the crowd goes nuts, definitely louder than what they gave Jesus. Keith says (my paraphrase) "I've been here all day and haven't seen any prayer, and I definitely haven't seen any repentance. I can't be a part of this." And then he left the stage.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

All of these conferences are nonsense and foolish. Nothing can replace what can be attained in a personal, by yourself, on your knees, prostate on the floor or hunched over in a chair prayer conference with God the Father.

Mark 14:32 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray."
:33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed.
:34 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch."
:35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him.
:36 And He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will."
:37 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour?
:38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
:39 Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words.
:40 And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.

Why would you even need a conference to do anything that our Lord and Savior has instructed us to do? Jesus has already given us every example we will ever need. And it costs you nothing, it has already been paid for. A Prayer and Repentance Conference is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Travel not required, only a quiet place is needed.

Joel

Anonymous said...

Amen Joel....Alleluia and another resounding AMEN! You hit that iron nail square on the head!

May our LORD Jesus Christ be glorified as we live in His Presence.