Churches vs Homes

It’s Sunday today and something happened that no-one could ever have dreamed. Most churches are empty.

My heart would cry when I would visit the huge, beautiful churches on a Sunday in Europe and they would be nearly empty. These huge spectacular cathedrals were built for many people to worship God and not to for a handful, or for no one meeting on a Sunday. And not to be visited by tourists only. 

For many years now, many people are of the opinion that churches are not a place for them, as they prefer a personal relationship with Jesus. Not wanting  to go to a place where they are “judged and made to feel guilty all the time”. This is not what I was brought up to believe. As my grandmother, who never missed a service as far as I can remember, I also believe that churches are meant to worship our God and Father and to meet fellow Christians to strengthen our faith.

The history of the church started with people meeting in small groups to pray together and to learn about Jesus our savior from each other, often in times of danger. 

However, that this situation today is falling right into lent (Passionszeit) cannot be coincedence. It seems a though God is shaking up All people to recognize Him as Creator, Healer and Father. And with the social distancing and lock downs, He reminds us that our own rooms should be our first and foremost prayer chambers. 

Jesus said in Mathew 6:6, “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” 

How amazing God is. Here we are upset about the empty churches but Jesus says that God wants to hear our prayer in a silent room. Isn’t this a wonderful promise for today?

 “Dear Jesus, where many in the world are in their homes and even alone in their rooms during this time of lock-down and social distancing, we thank you for this opportunity to pray to you in silence as that is where we will find you and you will listen. Our hearts are full of gratitude because you are calling the world to turn to you because we ALL matter to you.”

Let’s take this day and the days to come as a treasured time in our homes, to speak to Jesus, knowing that He listens and loves us so much!