December 12,2000

Kangwon Do, South Korea

Visited "Prayer Mountain" today. Prayer Mountain is an area where Koreans (and non-Koreans, of course) can come to pray. It was founded by a Korean Methodist woman, Jun Jin, sometime not too long ago. The area is built around a beautiful gorge in the hills. A river suitable for white-water rafting runs through the middle of the complex. There are several buildings for church services, individual private accommodations for staying (some stay months), rooms for praying, a cafeteria, various buildings, large rocks, and trails through the hills for praying.

I had heard a lot about Prayer Mountain before I visited. I had heard of it spoken of a place to be revered. I expected a quite quiet, peaceful place - perhaps like a monastery. It wasn't much like that. I certainly felt like praying while I was there, but it wasn't exactly quiet. The hills echoed with the screams and yells of fellow prayers. It's common at Prayer Mountain for those who really feel the need to lift up their requests and to get the attention of God to scream out their words. It was a little unsettling at first, but gradually I felt the urgency of their prayers. I think that David probably screamed to the Lord at times. I suppose it's much like that. I could understand their anguish and distress. I've never tried shouting at God, but I think I will try it.