I’m blessed to be in London, and today I attended a church service with Westminster Abbey at St. Margaret’s Church, which share a walkway. The service was steeped in tradition, full of ritual and symbolism—very different from my charismatic church back in Texas. It felt dry at first, yet one thing struck me: the value of a regular spiritual check-up.
Sitting in this 1,200-year-old church, with sunlight streaming through ancient stained glass, I felt awe. I imagined the countless people who had worshiped in that very spot over the centuries—people who loved God with the same passion I do, though expressed differently. My favorite part was a prewritten, recited prayer of repentance. I prayed it sincerely. It humbled me and drew me closer to God.
“For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
Sometimes charismatics assume we won’t gain much from a traditional, ritual-based service. But the Bible promises that if we seek Him, we’ll find Him. Tonight, I found Him within a structure of this ancient practice. These churches remind us of the importance of regular heart check-ups—whether through confession (which I don’t subscribe to) or communal repentance. No matter how much we love God, we’re still human. We need moments to sit before a holy, loving God and recalibrate our hearts toward Him.
“See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.” 2 Corinthians 7:11
Prayer
Lord, thank You that when we sit with You and confess, our guilt and sin are gone. Thank You for meeting us through many different paths. Help me remember the importance of regular check-ups with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
