Is there a name for this church practice?

Question

A few years ago while on a Confirmation retreat, a priest stood in front of each of us, one at a time, and said some words, and we each felt something pass thru, or sort of push us back (hard to explain) and we fell back gently and had to lie on the floor a few minutes to recover. Does anyone know what that was called?
I'm sorry if it doesn't make sense.

Answer 1

Hypnosis

Answer 2

Hello friend,
You have done well in wording your question the way you did.
You called it a "church practice". If it is anything, that's all it is. Because what you described is NOT found in the pages of God's Book. Unfortunately, many preachers today feel the need to "wow" people and somehow create an illusion of "mysterious holiness".

But friend, God, according to His Word is not a part of such misbehavior. Satan has a way of sometimes slipping folks a counterfeit experience that seems so real. Emotions are powerful.
And when of if you believe something "happened" to you, it did.
Or so you think.

But may I strongly suggest that you and all others who may read this, please check out whatever you see and hear in "church" and carefully measure it against God's Word. If it is genuine, you will find it written about in His Word. Anything that goes outside the bounds of Scripture should be flatly rejected as false.

Check out Acts 17:11 for an example of measuring truth.
Maybe also read Eph.6:10-17 just for protection.
Blessings,
2 Tim.2:7

Answer 3

Well, if you had been in my church and that happened, I would readily be able to say it was the receipt of the "Holy Spirit". A lot of people don't believe in that process and what happens to one. But I have experienced it and after that I was able to 'speak in tongues' - the prayer language that God gives the believer who 'wants it'. The only thing is - if it happened on a "Confirmation retreat" I would think that it was a "Catholic" process - but happily !!! I would say that the Holy Spirit has no eyes and ears to judging color, religious creeds, etc. He resides where he is wanted - and praise God if that's what happened to you. It's not only for the Charismatic folks - it's for everybody!

Answer 4

I don't know about a priest. And also what kind of Confirmation Retreat. But if this is honest God fearing man, it can be the holy spirt touching you. Primary Assembly of God, Foursquare and Pentelcostal Chruches

Answer 5

It does make sense.

It's the power of suggestion. The same thing that Benny Hinn does and Pat Robertson and Hindu priests and native american priests.

Placeboes and the power of suggestion is quite strong. It's the same thing that allows people to be hynotized.

Don't think there is anything supernatural in it. It's just your mind affecting your bodies reaction. It's nothing more than a dream while you are awake.

Answer 6

I'm thinking charismatic. They believe in healing and moving of the Spirit. Its hard to say exactly as you are kinda vague. What kind of stuff was said etc.

Answer 7

Its called being "slain in the spirit", it is satanic in origin. The Priest must have been a charismatic Catholic. They do that now.

Answer 8

It's called the Holy Spirit Slap...LOL Consider it a miracle if it changed your life in a positive way.

Answer 9

Only nonbelievers fell back in fear of the Lord. This isnt a practice among believers.

Answer 10

Nothing for that, but I believe it is barring false witness, or false prophesy. There's nothing biblical or spiritual about that. When truly touched by the Spirit one falls down on their face, not their back.