Intentional Church

I was listening to Gus Lloyd last week discuss the setting of intentions for Mass.  Also, the Rosary is often prayed with intentions.  This intrigued me because as a Protestant, I just go to church for myself and God, really.  I don't think about dedicating my time of worship for specific purposes.  Sure, we as a church pray for others in need, but the only intention in worship is to worship God.

In the AG church I attended, prayer was pretty much the intention.  We did a LOT of praying in that church.  In the Baptist church I attend, prayer is minimal in comparison.  There is almost no corporate prayer, no alter calls, very few times of silent prayer, personal prayer.  Tongues are not allowed (as the Baptist church erroneously preaches that it is just gibberish and not of the Holy Spirit).

So, I love that the Catholic Church, even though the prayers are pretty much laid out for you, allows you to pray them with intention for someone or something during the Mass.

This has encouraged me to go to church with an intention.  Instead of just going through the motions of attending and only agreeing in prayer with whatever the pastor has laid out, I am intending to attend with intention from now on.