In the need of some physical healing and health concerns, I stumbled across The Christian Prayer Center and felt inspired to write about my experience.

(I also mention two blessed prayer sites at the end of this review). But first, I am compelled to share …

Christian Prayer Center (www.christianprayercenter.com)

When you first arrive at this site, you are first asked to create an account before you are allowed to do anything else. Forget that you need urgent prayer now! So, ok … not the worse of sins, so I proceeded to create an account, heeding their tagline: “An Online Christian Community that Cares”, although I wonder why there are no prayers of others listed anywhere on the site.

I then proceed to submit my prayer request. So far so good, even though the site is nothing fancy–but that’s not the point is it?

The site then asks you, “How important is your request”? Obviously, most will pick, “Very Important” or they wouldn’t be there in the first place.

As soon as you pick any option at this point, the form then pops up a new question:

OK. Let’s choose “Nothing”.

Here comes the good part … Then this little part appears:

Are you sure you do not want to offer anything? God finds ways to punish the unfaithful!

At this point I’m having visions of Jesus overturning the tables in His Father’s House and screaming at the merchants and moneychangers, because, as we all know, “God’s house is a house of prayer, not a den of thieves”.

If you still proceed through the “prayer site”, the website asks you yet again if you are sure you don’t want to offer anything by adding: “The Bible tells us we MUST make offerings to have our prayers answered”, using Scripture out of context from Mark 10:21:

“Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give it forth, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’”

Still, braving alleged damnation in hell, I still choose to offer “nothing”.

The pastor of the site himself now, Pastor “John Carlson”–if that is his real name–pops up virtually and says:

“Hi, I’m Pastor John Carlson, Senior Pastor of the Christian Prayer Center. Our costs of maintaining this site are extremely high and our resources are limited, so please help us by making a donation (even just $5 would help). 100% of these donations go toward the operation of the Christian Prayer Center.”

He asks yet again:

If we all pull together, wonderful things can happen. What amount would you like to donate?

This time “Pastor John Carlson” weighs in and suggests how much you should donate depending on the urgency of your need asking for as much as $400 for a “Divine Answer”.

If this site isn’t straight from the depths of Sheol, I don’t know what is.

Want Some Real Prayer Sites?

I am in no way affiliated with any of the sites mentioned here; simply sharing my experience. But I found these two sites extremely helpful.

OurPrayer.Org

UpperRoom.Org Prayer Center

Both sites are blessed.

Preserve relationships between fathers and sons and their daughters, mothers and their children, husbands and wives–and keep them safe from iniquity’s tumultuous path.

Supernaturally thwart the actions of terrorists and rogue nations–countries who seek after war and baneful destruction.

Even within our own democratic governments, there are those who pursue plans birthed by greed and plan the destruction of the weak. Change the hearts and remove from positions of authority those from within our own governments who do not espouse a plan of reconciliation and responsible governance.

Protect our cities from terrorist attacks, wars, and natural disasters. Protect Los Angeles, New York, Washington, Texas, London, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Tokyo, Pyongyang, Beijing, Singapore, Jakarta, New Delhi, Kabul, Baghdad, Tehran, Moscow, Rome, Paris, Madrid, Van Couver, and all the cities of the world–no matter how great or small. Hold them accountable as well to righteous governance and supply them with great resolve to do what is right–regardless of public opinion and pressures from special interest groups or any world organization who would seek to undermine their authority in doing good.

In times of war, safeguard civilians and protect our warriors from the onslaught of war.

If wars must be fought, let it be waged as a measure of last resort. Keep battles away from our homes, our families, and our children, and end all wars swiftly.

Let us relentlessly pursue peace, but defend it when we must. Yet if it were possible, I would pray that war became an relic of the past, an ancient evil whose time has come and gone.

Above all, protect our children–those innocent lives so full of goodness and light. Let our kids have strong willing parents who will raise them well and protect them with passionate love. Parents who will be there for their children; to promulgate a deep and impregnable love into their spirits, souls, hearts, and minds–a love that will be passed on through countless generations.

Let peace reign on earth. Keep families healthy, bonded together; secure and unending–firmly rooted in the Love of God.

Protect us from fear and mayhem; from chaos and confusion; and from the real threat of biological and chemical weapons. May we never witness a nuclear disaster or see the results of unknown weapons of destruction unleashed on our peoples.

There are yet to be defined threats, both natural and man-made. These threats lay ahead in our future. Grant us the wisdom and fortitude to change the course of history to avoid both small and horrific calamities of our time and times to come.

What we cannot control in nature, we rely on Your Compassion to change; those things whose outcomes we can determine as a people and Godly nations through our course of actions and decisions, we pray for the heart, Spirit, and mind of God to direct us towards what is honorable and right.

I must end my prayer with a simple, directly supplication: help us, God, keep us safe and out of harm’s nefarious path.

For we are Your people; and You gave us breath. You gave us life to live on this land–we did not choose it, but were fashioned as a result of Your will. Give us strength, grace, and mercy to live out our time-limited lives in harmony and great peace which surpasses all understanding.

Bless our minds with peace and freedom from fear.

God, may we have centuries of peace and prosperity. I would ultimately ask for eternal peace, which we know will require Your coming.

In the Holy name of Jesus Christ, the Savior of All Life in the worlds that you have created.

God, at a time such as this, some may feel abandoned by you; but they are not alone. Some may feel that You have stopped listening to the anguish of their hearts; but You hear. Some may not be able to pray with words because their hearts have melted within them; but You know our prayers before we speak them.

Father, the Hope of our Salvation, leave us not abandoned in this life which seems to bring more challenges than joys, more sorrow than happiness. Help us to focus on the good around us, our kids, our friends, our families, anything that brings us joy and peace.

Those who are on the brink of financial ruin, of financial loss, come to them in a moment of unmistakable glory with Your heavenly angels in formation around You and be a bearer of good news and of salvation.

Father, we are stressed beyond understanding and our minds have been stretched to the edge of insanity; the pressure that we feel is unbearable and we cry to You all night and are anxious for even an inkling of good news during the day.

We need You more than ever, Deliverer and the beacon of good news.

Help those who are in desperate need of Your peace. Let them know that they will always have a safe place to live because You are with them. Take the fear away for those currently facing foreclosure, and give them a preternatural peace that surpasses all understanding.

Be our God, and our Everlasting, Loving Father, and send us eons of encouragement. Our hearts melt within us.

We ask for Deliverance today, in Jesus name.

Amen, Lord.