Dear Friends in Christ,
At renewal events in Anglican settings where I have been privileged to serve all across this country I have become increasingly exposed to some of the more unusual manifestations of God's Holy Spirit. Weeping, outbursts of laughter, shaking, falling down, peculiar noises have all been manifestations at various times especially during prayer ministry. I have always felt led to explain, God willing in a gentle manner, to those present what I sense could be happening when these supernatural manifestations of God's Spirit appear. I also attempt to undergird such "strange phenomena" with biblical references to serve at least as biblical precedents. As I see it, the real key is not so much to focus on the manifestation but the changed lives that result. As John Wesley would remind us our concern should not be so much as to why someone falls down but rather how they are feeling when they get up. All of this of course is God's work in men and women and not ours.
In two fairly recent parish missions in Anglican churches, at least three manifestations of God's Spirit were very much in evidence especially during the prayer ministry time, namely, weeping, falling down and outbursts of laughter. In saying a few words now about the aforementioned phenomena I am indebted to a leaflet published by Bishop David Pytches in 1996 entitled, "What is going on" as well as the biblical references he provides.
Weeping-tears frequently flow in prayer times in parish missions. They could reflect the body's response to the conviction of some past or present sin as the Holy Spirit is doing His healing work. I invariably begin my prayer time with parishioners by invoking the Holy Spirit-"Come, Holy Spirit, come". Perhaps the one receiving the ministry through prayer is beginning to deal with some deep inner emotional trauma as the Lord does His healing work. I always encourage the person receiving the ministry to just allow the tears to flow.
I have also discovered that it is wise to have a box of tissues close at hand!! Biblical precedents: Nehemiah 8:9, 2 Chronicles 34:27
Falling down--in my own ministry in Anglican settings I have seen more and more of this particular phenomena occur. It has happened in a Cathedral, a number of urban and rural parishes, and more remote northern communities.
People coming for prayer just seem to fall to the floor either at the very beginning of the prayer or well into the prayers. When that happens. I encourage others close at hand to serve as "catchers". I think we all need to be reminded that as we become more natural about the supernatural, when God's Spirit is released in our lives our physical bodies will indeed respond at times in what might be considered by some observers as being unnatural. What I remember so vividly at my initial "falling down" was a deep sense of God's love and inner peace. Many have expressed similar sentiments to me after their "falling down" experience. My advice when this happens is to have someone stay with the person and I would recommend men with men and women with women or married couples with either sex until they are ready to get up. Don't rush anyone to get up. Just watch and quietly pray and allow God to do His work. At one event of Anglicans, I recall a person remained on the floor for at least two hours. Afterwards, that individual could openly talk about a deep sense of inner peace and release for some emotional hurts of the past. Biblical precedents: Ezekiel 3:23, Daniel 8:17, Daniel 10:9, Acts 9:22, Rev. 1:17
Laughter - this is one of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit which perplexes me but then again I remember the time when I considered Speaking in Tongues as not being Anglican. How terribly wrong I was!! What I have observed is that some of God's people are so filled with the joy of the Lord that it breaks out in seemingly uncontrollable laughter. Indeed, why shouldn't we expect times when we sense God moving in our lives or the lives of others and it begins to overflow with great joy and laughter. For one who comes from a very traditional "stiff upper-lip" Anglican background, I think I have just made quite a statement!! Biblical precedents: Prov. 17:22, John 17:13 I have come to realize in my advancing years and through all of my travels as Ambassador for ARM that when God's Spirit begins to impact the natural order of things we will respond in ways which to some would appear quite unnatural and maybe disorderly. Many have heard me say at Anglican events, when we really allow the Spirit to move in our midst and truly welcome God back into our faith communities things may get a little 'messy' for awhile. Certainly, many aspects of the church's life and ministry will begin to change as God's people become less maintenance minded and far more missionary minded.
May Bishop David Pytches have the last word -- "What counts in the end is not whether people fall or shake or are healed. What matters is that people know that they are loved, are being built up and are equipped for service. What counts in the end is that sinners are converted, righteousness is exalted and Jesus Christ is glorified. This is His work, not ours. Our job is to love, work and pray for the Kingdom to come, watching as we do for what the Father is doing, through his Holy Spirit, so that we can bless it, always testing it against the touchstone of scripture."(1)
To all of that, I say loud and clear, AMEN.
(1) David Pytches, "Leaflet on the current manifestations of God's Holy Spirit," New Wine, 1996
Every Blessing,
- Bishop Malcolm Harding.
Bishop Malcolm is the ambassador of ARM Canada and was formerly the Episcopal bishop of the diocese of Brandon.
He can be reached at 204-726-5738, E-mail: mharding@mts.net
The Rt. Rev. Malcolm Harding
Episcopal Visitor to ARM