Busting Up Thorny Ground

In the pulpit Wednesday night, our preacher mentioned one of the laws of the Kingdom of God. It was the one about the seeds landing on four different types of soil. Specifically, he mentioned the thorny ground and how eventually the plant is choked before producing fruit. He went on to explain that this represents the child of God who believes and lives the life of a believer but six to eight years into the experience the "thorns" of his life can choke the life out of him thus tempting him to backslide out of the Kingdom. He further explained that this type of believer didn't take care of the thorns at an "old fashioned altar".

That got me to thinking.

Some pastors believe that these "thorns" can be taken care of at home in our prayer closet and encourage congregants to "tidy up" as they close the service without an altar call. This is after they just got to preach their guts out. The preacher has the chance to release the pressing burden the Lord laid on them but after dispensing it to the congregation they close the service not providing the opportunity for the listener to process the preached Word in prayer.

Sorry - preachers need to know that not all laity have the luxury of an altar at home. Some face demons in their beds. The fact is, in addition to their home altar, they need the opportunity for an altar experience with fellow warriors beside them carrying them through to victory.

They need a coach during any birthing process. Someone who will steady them as they travail. Where better can they do this than at the house of God? The whole process is pretty messy as they expose the burden the Lord has impregnated them with. When it is time they must not be deterred.

I am appalled at what some people call intercessory prayer. Standing in a circle, holding hands, everyone taking turns throwing commands out. My Lord, forgive us for this clinical, petri dish conception. The scriptures are very clear concerning what kind of engagement you may have with Satan and it is no more than "the Lord rebuke you."

If the Lord chooses, we need to allow ourselves to be used and get our thoughts, fears and desires out of the way. Otherwise our congregations are going to be full of plants desiring to bear fruit but stuck in thorny ground. The only way to bust up thorny ground is to take care of the choking at an altar with fellow warriors performing spiritual Heimlich.

Honestly, if you have the baptism of the Holy Ghost, this will make sense. If you only have a controllable "prayer language" you won't make it in this arena.