“It’s been awhile since many of us have stumbled out of a multi-church gathering, an hour or more after the ‘program’ officially ‘ended,’ because the Glory of God had filled the place and no one – not the pastors, not the laity, not the youth, not the kids, not the Boomers – no one could tear themselves away.”
Have you ever experienced a worship gathering so powerful, so saturated with the presence of God, that you didn’t want to leave? On Maundy Thursday, hundreds of Christians from dozens of churches came together for Churches Praying Together—a night marked by Spirit-filled worship, a compelling message on the self-giving love that unity demands, communion, and healing prayer. Today, we’re honored to share a powerful reflection from Linus, a Boston native and member of Abundant Grace Church, about how God met him that evening.
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
— 2 Corinthians 3:17
I want to start by stating that I was not planning to go to the Maundy Thursday gathering. When my pastor had asked me if I was planning to go, I told him “no,” as big gatherings aren’t typically my cup of tea. He stated rather prophetically that if I went I would be blessed. I doubt he had any idea as to the extent his promise would be fulfilled. Before the event, I felt a change of heart and decided to go.
I arrived a little early and found my saved seat in the front row, reserved for me by a brother and friend who’d previously invited me to sit beside him. When the worship started, I excused myself and moved to the back of the auditorium as my ears are more sensitive to volume now that I am 62.
Instantly I felt a Surge of Power, of Exultation, of the Wonderful and Thrilling Presence of God. It literally took my breath away. I immediately lifted my face and arms to the Lord (See documenting photo below). And my feet commenced to dancing. Oh the Transcendent Joy of His Presence! (You can look it up: Psalm 16.11). Soon I felt compelled, yet at the same time blessedly free, to lay prostrate, arms fully extended, face streaming with tears of joy into the carpet, overwhelmed with gratitude for His presence and refreshment. “Thank You Jesus! Thank You Jesus!” was all I could say and all I wanted to say. I was so grateful for the liberating presence of the Holy Spirit.
One of the abiding desires of my heart has been to be free and released in body and spirit when worshiping the Lord. The Lord knows this about me full well, and graciously granted me a time and a place to praise and worship Him with abandon that Maundy Thursday evening. I’ve read many times of David dancing before the Lord with all his might, unaware of and indifferent to any disapproval of his uninhibited expression of love and worship toward the God of Israel, as David’s focus was on Him alone (2 Sam. 6.12-21). Reading that account always leaves me with a sense of yearning to enjoy that same kind of release. I was blessed and liberated to experience a taste of that at the gathering.
After the worship, feeling a rejuvenation and refreshment of spirit that I hadn’t felt in years, I found a seat beside a sister whom I’ve known for decades. We connected in a way we never had before. We were enjoying each other and giggling on occasion about one thing or another, and then enjoying prayer together. Another woman joined us, whom neither of us had met, but it made no difference. All our prayers were in sync and blessed. All one in Christ.
Then came the benediction and dismissal. Yet, because I was still basking and reveling in the presence of God, I felt zero desire to leave. I found a dear brother and friend whom I have known for over 20 years. I put my arm around him and he put his arm around me and we just stood there, kind of feeling, “Isn’t this amazingly great?” and yet neither one of us said a word. No words were necessary. Such freedom! And again I’ll say—”Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Folks were invited to come to the front to receive prayer, as it was clear the Lord wanted to minister to His people in various and specific ways. How Kind and Caring and Personal He is!
There was a moment which I found delightfully laugh-out-loud funny, where another leader from the front made a general announcement that those who wanted to leave were not bound to stay: “I heard a benediction somewhere in there about 25 minutes ago.” Still, few people left.
Everywhere and every time I met eyes with someone I didn’t know/had never met, which was the majority, I felt love and acceptance for them, and an unspoken acknowledgement that we were all joined together in Christ, all recipients of His grace and salvation. I thought of a couple lines from an old hymn:
“Gimme that old time religion…makes me love everybody.”
Indeed, it does.
Ah, what a blessed place to be with God’s people with His presence showering us all with His blessings. Denominations, religious affiliations, style of dress—all irrelevant. Only Jesus mattered, and the Unity He blesses those with who give God the place of preeminence. All praise be to God.
Other Testimonies
“It was such an honor to help lead the time of communion alongside other local pastors—and even more powerful to witness how God showed up when dozens came forward for healing prayer. Some testified that their back pain and other ailments were completely healed! Seeing the gifts of the Holy Spirit at work—so tangibly and beautifully—deeply encouraged my own faith in a way I haven’t experienced in a long time. While you may read this with skepticism, this isn’t just a ‘charismatic thing’—it’s a Jesus thing. The promises of the New Testament are still true today. ”
— Rev. Kelly Fassett, Executive Director of UniteBoston
“What a beautiful time together. I always expect our united prayer times to be good, but this was beyond what I expected. Praise the Lord. As Sean preached, when we love Jesus, unity is the result. When I saw all of the other pastors praying for people after the service had “ended,” God instilled a confidence in my heart and a trust that together we are the Lord’s servants doing His will. We truly are one church in Jesus our Lord.”
— Pastor Dave Hill, Abundant Grace Church
“Our family left the service last night and my 8th grade son, Isaac, said with great enthusiasm, ‘That is one of the best and most powerful services I have been to.’ We all agreed that this was a result of the love and unity in the room centered on worshipping and responding to Jesus. I am thankful to have the privilege of contending with other pastors for Jesus to be glorified in our city!”
— Pastor Sean Richmond, Antioch Community Church
