There is no doubt that no matter what I write on this subject, members of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) will take it personally and may even call it an “attack”. It is not my intention to “attack” with this subject. Is it possible that WOFF members see this blog as an attack because I am doing what they are forbidden to do? I can express doubt while trying to work things out. Do WOFF members want to express their doubts but know that in doing so they would be chided, berated or attacked themselves? At WOFF, expressing doubt as to the validity of WOFF-life is not allowed.

    I will endeavor to share my observations on the subject of prayer from my time inside WOFF and my time since leaving WOFF in 2008. After 16 years of being indirectly or directly under the teachings of Jane Whaley, it must be obvious that much of the teaching centered on prayer. Loud prayer, blasting and deliverance prayer are signature practices of WOFF as discussed previously on this blog. I have shared on this subject in the past. (here is a link from March 21, 2010- http://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=599 )

    After leaving WOFF, how did the previous teachings and activities affect my view and practice of prayer? First, let me make it clear that participating in forms of WOFF-prayer does not assure that a member believes in the WOFF prayer 100% – day and night. Yes, it is hard to conceive, but, as powerful as Jane Whaley is with her persuasion and control; deep inside, every individual has to decide if WOFFness and WOFF-prayer are as critical to salvation as is portrayed during WOFF-days. That is up to each individual. Certainly, it is close to impossible to remain at WOFF for any length of time and not participate in loud prayer, blasting and deliverance. So, a WOFF member will participate. But, is it vital to pray the WOFF-way in order to be saved, born again or know Jesus or make it to heaven? When put in that context, the answer should be obvious. Is it?

     Since I stayed for years at WOFF, it should be obvious that I believed in WOFF prayer and participated with great fervor at times. Was there ever a tendency to consider WOFF prayer as a mark of a more mature Christian or one who had an inside track on relationship with God? Okay, let’s get to the meat of the matter; as a WOFF member, when I saw new folks come into the church, I did what I could and hoped with WOFF-hope, that they would accept and participate in the prayer, quickly. If so, then for one, that meant they might stay. Two, it was less of a distraction and in some ways gave another endorsement, if you will, that this prayer was THE STUFF you needed in order to make it with God. Former WOFF members, am I alone on this? Did anyone else think like this or have any thoughts similar?  

   Is it possible that WOFF-prayer became so “showy” that it perverted the real purpose for prayer either individually or in a group?  In group prayer, those who were leading felt it was their job to watch others and “help” them. To some, it was their job to keep a certain standard or “something”. This “something” was elusive at times. Those leading prayer would say things like; “take hold of your mind”, “give your whole heart”, “some of you are just staring off into space”, “some of you are just grinding away”, “some of you are just waving your arms with no purpose”, “some of the children are not praying at all”, “some of you grown-ups look like you are falling asleep”. To rouse the people, leaders would say things like “okay, let’s hit it!” or some other rally cry.  Then the prayer would go to a very high pitch and the waving of the arms and other such motions would increase dramatically. If you did not participate, you were subject to any level of interrogation in order to see what was your problem, what was your sin or if you needed prayer yourself to “break the witchcraft off of you”, so you could pray. (join in)

   As a member of WOFF, I cannot remember ever being encouraged to be alone and quiet before God as a form of prayer. Just the opposite was preached. If you get off by yourself you could give to a “religious devil” and get off into some perversion or goofy ideas. It was important to be around other WOFF members as much as possible – why? To protect WOFFers from who? Or what? Or ????

   Another WOFF specific practice that was popular for a long time was to say “Help me, Jesus” for EVERYTHING! It was like an incantation or magic phrase to ward off the devil or “take hold of your mind” or “take hold of your emotions” or “submit your will” or some other need for that moment. I said it over and over sometimes and did not see the pattern of mindlessness that could easily follow such robotic practices- even if you thought you were invoking the name of Jesus! What a trap!

   Early on, I was attended a seminar where I was with a fellow from Texas and a young man from Connecticut in a small prayer group. Both men were from other churches and were new. The Connecticut man stopped during the prayer, looked at me and said “you pray strong.” I remember thinking, I am just copying what I see others doing. What is the big deal? I said thank you and went on trying to impress. What a joke! I actually believed and let this man think that praying loud was good or better or best.

   So, after leaving, how does an ex-WOFF member pray? How do I view prayer, now? Well, WOFF prayer is not practiced in the church I attend. Oh, you can raise your hands during the singing; you can weep and sense the true love of God. But, loud prayer, blasting the heavens and deliverance prayer are not practiced. I don’t think it would be accepted or welcomed. Would I attend this church if it were? Probably not. Individual prayer is encouraged, as it should be. The pastor or other members lead group prayer for the congregation as well. You can understand what they are saying and they don’t even shout. I suppose he could shout and it would be okay. But, when the pastor prays the purpose does not seem to be to draw attention to him, but rather to the needs of the people and to the One in whom he trusts for answers.

    As I look back over the years at WOFF and the Greenville church, I wonder if the prayer was more of a show and I indeed missed the purpose. I do regret whatever took me over to think that the outward act which was WOFF-evidence of prayer, could substitute for heartfelt, humbling, personal relationship-building activity and lifestyle of prayer that God desires for His children. My prayers are somewhat shorter now and more to the point. When I am reminded of needs, whether mine or others, I pray. When I am asked to pray and I agree to pray, then I do. Today, I received an email from another former WOFF member. She said she would pray for me. Then she ended the statement with “(really I am)”.  That one statement caused me to consider this post and all that I have seen over the years at WOFF and during the two plus years of being out. In my opinion, when a man or woman seeks to personally “profit” from an outward show of prayer, he or she is truly no “prophet”, but a phony. I am not talking about never praying for yourself, I am referring to making the outward practice of prayer a profit center, a show, a signature practice to be copied, supposed evidence of a relationship with God.

   At this point, I am reminded of the Scripture in which Jesus addresses “showy” prayer. Luke 18:9-14

  9He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves and were confident that they were righteous [that they were upright and in right standing with God] and scorned and made nothing of all the rest of men:  10Two men went up into the temple [^[i]enclosure] to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  11The Pharisee ^[j]took his stand ostentatiously and began to pray thus before and with himself: God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men–extortioners (robbers), swindlers [unrighteous in heart and life], adulterers–or even like this tax collector here.  12I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I gain.   13But the tax collector, [merely] standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, O God, be favorable (be gracious, be merciful) to me, the ^[k]especially wicked sinner that I am!  14I tell you, this man went down to his home justified (forgiven and made upright and in right standing with God), rather than the other man; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.

   For sure, I do not know men’s hearts. I only know some of mine. There is no way I can speak of other former or even present WOFF members.  I know the thoughts that I had while at WOFF. It is clear to me that outward form amounts to very little, for God judges the heart. In my opinion, the WOFF form of prayer was used to mold outward behavior. This also served to give validation to the WOFF-life as a whole. We “pray” this way, therefore we are.  I have no rocks to throw since I lived WOFFness for years.  

Now, shall we pray?  

    Thank you, for taking time to visit and read this blog.  Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. The author is not a licensed mental health professional and encourages those that need professional help to seek it. The intent of the material is to inform and be a resource. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. There are readers at WOFF. Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.

    Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

      (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. ) Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 187.