There are so many ways that people offer up prayers! Without doubt they are participated in by devout and sincere persons. But regarding all such prayers we do well to ask: Is meaningful communication taking place—or is it just empty ritual ?
The overseers can give appropriate encouragement as they monitor the progress of the one who is ailing spiritually. What a contrast to the formalistic ritual of confession practiced by churches today!
a@g: These comments always amaze me; that they can, without having ever entered a church, say these things. I have gone to quite a few churches in my lifetime and have also been to a hall. From my own experience I have found, for the most part, a much more spiritual feeling in the churches than I have experienced in the hall. I felt no spiritually at the hall whatsoever. It felt much more like a business meeting. That is not to say that some in the hall don't have a deep religious experience or that some in the church do. One thing I have to say about the Catholic Church is that there seems to be a reverance that is lacking in some of the churches.
My husband and I just came back from a funeral at the Salvation Army church and it was a wonderful service, full of hope. She was such a lovely lady, kind and gentle. I have great respect for this organization. I felt that this may be a church that my mom would like. There was such warmth and the singing was wonderful.