There is something about the walls of a church. They seem to be steeped in prayer. Holding the hopes and dreams and sorrows of hundreds of people over the years. The prayer radiates, captures you, invites you to add your own. The walls are solid, safe, and able to handle whatever your prayer concerns might be.
I felt the solidness and comfort of church last Sunday as I accompanied a bus load of people on a church art tour. We visited 7 churches in 3 hours, with a camaraderie that comes from the wonder and excitement of exploration. At each site we heard about the history of the church building and looked at the art, architecture, stunning stained glass, and statuary.
People were entranced. Each church was lovely and holy and inviting. The stained glass was especially radiant. But for me, it was always the walls. Sometimes painted, sometimes stone. Sometimes covered in icons, sometimes deeply polished wood. I wanted to touch them, to lean on them, to be held up in the best way. And they were ready for whatever I needed.
God is in those walls. God is our grounding and our support. God is ready to meet our every need. And while God resides in all places, always waiting for us, there is something about a place created to honor God that is holy and comfortable.
The walls of St. John’s are always available.