Prayer Mountain

   On Tuesday I visited a prayer mountain that is located outside of Seoul. It was good to see some countryside, and an important part of Korean faith.

  In the valleys of the mountains are small farms and villages. The villages have mainly single storey houses, I guess we would call them Bunglows, with a mixture of older style and modern style houses. When I asked about the modern style of houses I was told that these houses are bought by people in Seoul who want either a weekend get away pad or want to rent it out for those wanting a weekend break to the country. Climbing the mountains are quite a popular pass time. Most of the mountains are covered with trees. The mountain we went to had quite a few houses and other buildings. As we drove up the mountain (I had in mind we were walking up there, but so glad we didn't as it was quite hot!) we passed a leadership centre which was established by Peter Wagner (a Pentecostal) from the US. At the very top stood this modern, impressive building.

   We went inside and watched a film that described the vision of this centre. The Pastor had a vision of creating provision for retired Korean missionaries who often had no where to go after finishing their time on the mission field. He also wanted to create a mission centre and chapel which encouraged people to come and pray. Another man had a vision from his Mother about also providing a place of prayer and mission, he was a business man, and decided to give money to this project. Then an architect also had a vision to create a church for prayer and mission. They came together and came up with a design of using cedar trees and natural light to create a beautiful space for people to come and pray. We then went up to the top of the building, and I don't think I was quite expecting what was waiting at the top of the building. You could smell the wonderful fragrance of the trees that acted like an incense. It was one of the most beautiful and awe inspiring places of worship I have been into.

Here are two pictures, although I don't think the photos do it justice.

I very much felt an inner peace and warmth of God's presence in this place, and spent sometime praying in this wonderful place. I felt God speak to me about this place being a place of prayer for all nations, and sensed God has something to say to us at WPBC of our new premises being a place of prayer and also of us, as the church being a people of prayer. I felt God had something for me personally as well as the church. This is something I need to spend time praying into a bit more. So glad I got the opportunity to go, and see an important part of Korean faith.   Thanks again to my hosts for taking me and explaining about it.