“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” – James 4:8
Coming to God in Surrender
When we come to the altar, we are expressing our desire to surrender our lives to God. This act symbolizes our willingness to let go of our burdens, our doubts, and our fears, placing them at the feet of Jesus. We acknowledge His sovereignty over our lives and recognize that in Him, we find hope and strength. It is a profound moment of humility, where we say, “Lord, not my will but Yours be done.” We come, not with our heads held high, but with a heart willing to yield everything we have to Him who gave everything for us.
Luke 9:23
“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’” – Luke 9:23
Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
Psalms 55:22
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” – Psalms 55:22
Forgiveness at the Altar
Approaching the altar is a powerful opportunity for us to seek forgiveness. We gather there not just to confess our shortcomings but also to receive God’s grace and mercy. It’s a moment of reconciliation where we find healing for our hearts and souls. This act reminds us that while we may stumble, our loving Father is always ready to forgive and restore us to right standing with Him. Coming to the altar is about owning our mistakes and trusting in God’s redemptive plan for our lives.
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
Acts 3:19
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” – Acts 3:19
Psalm 32:5
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” – Psalm 32:5
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'” – Isaiah 1:18
Proverbs 28:13
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13
Healing Through Coming to the Altar
When we step forward to the altar, we often bring our hurts, pains, and injuries, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. This sacred space acts as a conduit for healing, where we can pour out our hearts and seek restoration from God. Coming to the altar enables us to believe in His ability to heal and restore our shattered lives. Each prayer lifted up is an invitation for God’s power to intervene in our circumstances and mend our brokenness.
James 5:14
“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” – James 5:14
Matthew 8:17
“This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.'” – Matthew 8:17
1 Peter 2:24
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24
Psalms 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalms 147:3
Jeremiah 30:17
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord.” – Jeremiah 30:17
Transformation at the Altar
Coming to the altar opens the door to transformation in our lives. This sacred encounter with God offers us a fresh start, a new beginning. As we lay down our past and embrace His forgiveness, He begins to work in our hearts, shaping us into the individuals He created us to be. Our weaknesses become strengths; our despair turns into hope. By coming to the altar, we submit ourselves to His molding hands, trusting His plan for our lives in faith.
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Philippians 1:6
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6
Ezekiel 36:26
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36:26
Romans 6:4
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” – Romans 6:4
Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:18-19
Preparation for Service at the Altar
As we approach the altar, it’s not just for personal needs but also for preparation for service. We empower ourselves to fulfill God’s calling by coming to Him in prayer and supplication. This time spent at the altar equips us with strength, wisdom, and guidance. Here, we get aligned with His purpose for our lives and gain clarity on how we can serve others. The altar becomes a place where God equips us for the tasks ahead, reminding us that true service emanates from a heart that has been transformed by His love.
1 Timothy 4:14
“Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.” – 1 Timothy 4:14
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” – Acts 20:35
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23-24
Community at the Altar
When we come to the altar, we are not only seeking our personal connection with God but also engaging with our Christian community. The altar serves as a gathering place for believers to support one another in prayer and encouragement. We stand united in our faith, lifting each other up and interceding for our friends and family. Together, we create a sacred space where community thrives, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles and journeys of faith.
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
Acts 2:46-47
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:46-47
Psalm 133:1
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Final Thoughts
Coming to the altar is a deeply personal and transformative experience for us. We find surrender, forgiveness, healing, and community all in this sacred act. Whether we are laying down our burdens, seeking healing, or preparing for God’s service, approaching the altar signifies our connection to Him and each other. Let us embrace these moments with open hearts and expectant spirits, knowing that God is at work in us, transforming our lives for His glory.
As we continue exploring God’s Word and His promises, I invite you to take a moment to reflect on other meaningful topics such as lifting hands and laying on of hands. Each of these topics can lead us deeper into our faith journey, encouraging us to draw closer to God.