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Romans 8:28
New International Version
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
 
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Thank you, Brother, , When I started praying again several times a day, I felt like such a wretch and an unworthy child of God. I even felt like a hypocrite.
Just an observation 'GXC', Not at all an uncommon response. But I should start off by saying, which of these are worth expanding on? God, will lead us even when the trek becomes a harrowing experience, a lot of times we can assume the Apostle's lead towards glorifying the Lord as we 'glory in my infirmities'. Now look at the New Testament's handling of declaring our status of personal prayer? Jesus' declared “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites… they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others…” , , that is, all for show. But something happened between the time Jesus said that and the time Paul said “I thank God that I [pray] more than you all.” (1 Cor 14:18, 23, 27, 28). Of course, Paul and all the other Apostles were Pentecostals, no exception. That day in Acts 2 was a defining moment for the whole Church. The 'hypocrites' Jesus spoke of had no part of it in that mention. Yes, Paul also lamented over his feeling like a "wretch". It is altogether a different situation when he said we are "built up" in the Spirit when we pray in this manner. But, unlike those who oppose the 'the very thought of asking God for the Spirit' after conversion just as Jesus and Paul described, there must be peace in the flock, not finger-pointing for those who do not pray in tongues, they are no less Christian than those who do.

Back to your comment then, , who's to say then, you too aren't a Pentecostal who has rejoined us at the altar, or, a Pentecostal of some other gift? God is still forming us to build His Church to fulfill the image of it, spoken in the book of Revelation. Whichever, and beyond all the rhetoric you see bringing Pentecostalism into question, run an exhaustive search and you just might find the will of God still rewards humility, but not fear to lay hold of that will (Rev 21:8).
 
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Just an observation 'GXC', Not at all an uncommon response. But I should start off by saying, which of these are worth expanding on? God, will lead us even when the trek becomes a harrowing experience, a lot of times we can assume the Apostle's lead towards glorifying the Lord as we 'glory in my infirmities'. Now look at the New Testament's handling of declaring our status of personal prayer? Jesus' declared “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites… they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others…” , , that is, all for show. But something happened between the time Jesus said that and the time Paul said “I thank God that I [pray] more than you all.” (1 Cor 14:18, 23, 27, 28). Of course, Paul and all the other Apostles were Pentecostals, no exception. That day in Acts 2 was a defining moment for the whole Church. The 'hypocrites' Jesus spoke of had no part of it in that mention. Yes, Paul also lamented over his feeling like a "wretch". It is altogether a different situation when he said we are "built up" in the Spirit when we pray in this manner. But, unlike those who oppose the 'the very thought of asking God for the Spirit' after conversion just as Jesus and Paul described, there must be peace in the flock, not finger-pointing for those who do not pray in tongues, they are no less Christian than those who do.

Back to your comment then, , who's to say then, you too aren't a Pentecostal who has rejoined us at the altar, or, a Pentecostal of some other gift? God is still forming us to build His Church to fulfill the image of it, spoken in the book of Revelation. Whichever, and beyond all the rhetoric you see bringing Pentecostalism into question, run an exhaustive search and you just might find the will of God still rewards humility, but not fear to lay hold of that will (Rev 21:8).
Thank you for taking the time to write this. English is not my first language, so I may not have understood everything perfectly. I appreciate the encouragement. My post was mainly about reconnecting with God through prayer and being honest about how unworthy I felt at first, not about trying to make a public show of prayer. I’m open to God leading me, but I’m still learning and trying to stay humble.
 
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