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Growing up Pentecostal, I learned that prayer was my true connection to the divine. When I became Lutheran, I learned these powerful prayer moments were not limited to charismatic settings. Yet these moments are often missed by those accustomed to the beauty and rhythm of liturgy. Today, I self-identify as a Luthercostal.

During the Confession, it is my role as pastor to present a time of silence during which we can wrestle with our sins against God and our neighbor. As a Luthercostal, I struggle to come back from those moments precisely because they allow us to meditate on our brokenness, name our sins, and be heard and forgiven. These moments needn’t be rushed. They should be embraced.

I’ve often thought that we should give a loud cheer of praise when we hear: “I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins…” Sometimes I need more than five seconds (a minute or two would be nice) with this liturgical moment where we confess and celebrate.

This message is excerpted from “New eyes for worship” by Leila Ortiz in the September 2018 Gather magazine.