As a child growing up at my Corps I thought it was quite natural to go up to the altar and pray to God. On the occasions I responded, I can remember the excitement I felt as I prayed at the Mercy Seat. My heart raced; I could hardly catch my breath as I walked back to my pew. I can’t remember what I prayed in those moments but I know that afterwards I felt good. I felt better.
When I grew older I began to realize that the people who went forth to pray were going because they were burdened by something. They were compelled to sacrifice, to unload, to repent. I remember seeing one retired officer repeatedly go forth, get down on one knee and put his hand on the Holiness table each Sunday. He seemed desperate for something; I thought he was crazy.
When I was a child I was comfortable and appreciated the Mercy Seat but when I grew older—and possibly came to a realization of my sins—I began to pity others who went forth. And so I sat in my pew with my other adolescent friends, hands folded and head bowed, peaking through my eyelids at all the sinners who assumed the penitent form. I judged them and in doing so, avoided judging myself.
As a teenager there were many times when I was so over bound by sorrows that I responded by laying them at the Mercy Seat. I would respond when the music was loud and when my emotions powered me to take action. I often cried and prayed with friends and hoped that I would be free from whatever was ruling me at the time. I was earnest in my faith and knew that God was giving me space and opportunity to truly be honest and vulnerable in a unique way. And that space was often found between the stage and the first pew.
FOR YOUNG AND OLD
Every Meeting,
whatever specialty may be introduced,
MUST LEAD TO
THE MERCY-SEAT
THE CRUX OF THE MATTER IS IN THE DEMAND THAT EVERY ONE SHOULD GIVE THE UTMOST OF TIME, STRENGTH, IMAGINATION, POWER OF PERSUASION, AND PERSONAL TESTIMONY TO WIN OTHERS FOR CHRIST, AT WHAT MAY BE THEIR ELEVENTH HOUR—AND OURS! AND WHEN YOU HAVE WON THEM—KEEP THEM.
(Excerpt taken from “The Centenary Call Campaign 1929 Plan of Operation”)
A few months ago I explained the Mercy Seat to a group of over 200 youth. I began by reading the above quotation and saying that in most youth meetings we are often guilty of exploiting ones emotions in order to get them to respond. I continued to say that in this youth meeting we were not going to do that. We were not going to dim the lights and play loud music. I explained that if God wanted them to respond that He had probably started the “altar call” much before the meeting began. And if He was calling them to repentance, that was all they needed.
I explained that the Mercy Seat was open and began to quietly sing. “Come, then, at once; delay no longer; Heed his entreaty, kind and sweet; You need not fear a disappointment; You shall find peace at the mercy seat.” And as I was singing I saw many of the youth stand up and fall on their knees at the altar.
I want to be a part of The Salvation Army that believes in the Mercy Seat. I want to fight with The Salvation Army that aches with urgency to win the world for Jesus. An Army who’s Soldiers know the power of humbling themselves before God, who get their knees dirty and have clean souls. I want to be the kind of Soldier who is desperate for sanctification and clings to the pursuit of Holiness.
Youth Department