Last summer, I
finally got to meet Jerry Patton (the grandson of Oliver Smith), and
his awesome wife, Paula. While we were visiting Jerry mentioned the
prayer meetings that were held in the Enid, Oklahoma Followers of
Christ group when he was young. These meetings did not require a
preacher or pastor to be present.
The meetings could be held in the homes of church members, or at church. The meeting began with the singing of two hymns. Next there was a spoken prayer, followed by two more hymns. A man (any man, young or old) read a passage of scripture and commented on what he had read. Next, each person present – all who had been baptized – regardless of age or gender took turn standing to witness. They recited this script:
“I want to stand
as a witness for Christ. I know that I am very weak and unworthy but
I want to continue on in this way and I pray for you and I ask for
your prayers.”
After each person had stood and recited, the group sung one additional hymn and the prayer meeting ended.
I've heard of these style meetings. In the context of being sent overseas in the military. It was told to me that two couples were being deployed and Walter had told them to have their own church meeting of sorts. This may have been what they were referring to.
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