image: GodTube
21 years ago, I visited Jerusalem for the first time. One of the many stops on our trip was the Western Wall (aka – Wailing Wall). Seeing the particular physical place where people poured out their requests to God really made an impression on me.
Several years ago I got a picture in my mind of a similar wall, only this one was online, a place where people from all over the world could leave their "Dear Heavenly Father"…..electronically. Recently, I was reminded of this picture because today, electronic prayer sites are increasingly easy to find. As we see more specialization on the web, 24/7 prayer pages like this one will likely become commonplace.
Electronic prayer examples are easily searchable. GodTube provides it's subscribers their own prayer wall. Third party developers are creating Facebook prayer applications so Facebook members can notify one another of their need for prayer.
Kindle is a free worldwide social prayer network that helps people form prayer groups to share their prayer requests with each other. Kindle, in particular, displays huge potential, as the developers anticipate the forming of specialized groups within Kindle where intecessors are matched with individuals who need prayer for specific issues.
I've personally struggled with the "disconnect" associated with technologically mediated prayer. And yet, at the same time, I've experienced incredible personal benefit from electronic prayers, specifically, in times of crisis as well as during seasons of elongated suffering.
So, here are a handful of questions surrounding online prayer in the metaverse:
Would you use an online prayer service?
Do you see drawbacks of online prayer?
Do you see benefits of online prayer?
Do you think online prayer will grow in popularity?
When I think about the times I have used online prayer…(Brooklyn Tabernacle Church & ourprayer.org) I felt the trust and understanding about who that church or organazation is, what they believe, and that a real person would be praying. I don’t think I would use a an online prayer site for a personal request unless I had some trust with the providers. So that is a factor for me.
I see the benefits….yet there is a part of me that still feels like something is funny about it. It feels like it should be ‘in addition to…’ instead of a replacement for interacting with your small group or people that can actually pray and stop by and drop off a casserole.
I think it is a balance…there are times when you blast every person you know to pray for something major and tragic…and ‘the more prayer the better’. The internet is an unbelievable way to post a need quickly, efficiently, and spread the word fast. Request prayer from people you barely know…or don’t know at all. I have seen that up close and personal with my friend Katherine (had brain hemhorrage)…as I was able to update people 1000’s of people from the hospital through a facebook group (“praying for katherine wolf”). It was an extremely fast and efficient way to get the word out and the specific prayer needs from the family.
I can also envision a person that is already disconnected from the body of Christ, prone to isolation, and sitting at their computer sending out prayer requests…and perpetuating their isolation. They don’t go to church because they feel like they already do go to church online….and then they miss the hug or contact with someone who can look them in the eyes, put their hand on their shoulder and pray for them and connect…
As with most things internet…it can be used for good or go down a strange road…so trust with the ’site’ is a key factor for me as more and more becomes available at the touch of a button.
I love what they are doing at kindle…and I love some of the virtual prayer sites which walk you through prayers
HI Cynthia… I once did something pretty sketchy at the Western Wall. When you get up here ask me about it. Hope all’s well in your world.
-c
And check out this eprayer.org especially this dramatic video – What is your cardboard testimony? – but brace yourself for crying.
Sydney – I can only embrace ‘in addition to’ as well.
klampert – I, too, am impressed with Kindle.
chuckk – Please don’t tell me you had your Harley with you!
Terry – ‘Cardboard testimony’ is making the rounds around the staff at our church his week, and yes I did cry.
Mine would say “the greatest sinner of all” / “serving Him anyway!” How about yours?