Anxious bench is a term used in the Christian context to describe a bench or a designated area in a church where people would go to pray, meditate, and seek spiritual guidance. The term has been used for centuries and has a rich history in the Christian faith.
Definitions
Anxious bench is a term that has been used to describe a variety of things over the years. Some definitions include:
- A bench or area in a church where people would go to pray and seek spiritual guidance.
- A place where people would go to confess their sins and seek forgiveness.
- A place where people would go to seek salvation and become a Christian.
Origin
The origin of the anxious bench can be traced back to the early 19th century in the United States. It was a part of the Second Great Awakening, which was a period of religious revivalism that swept across the country. The anxious bench was used as a tool to encourage people to seek salvation and become Christians.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The term anxious bench is not commonly found in modern dictionaries. However, some older dictionaries define it as:
- A bench in a church where people would go to pray and seek spiritual guidance.
- A bench in a church where people would go to confess their sins and seek forgiveness.
- A bench in a church where people would go to seek salvation and become a Christian.
Associations
The anxious bench is associated with the Second Great Awakening and the revivalism that swept across the United States during the early 19th century. It is also associated with the idea of seeking salvation and becoming a Christian.
Synonyms
There are no widely used synonyms for anxious bench. However, some similar terms include:
- Altar.
- Confession booth.
- Prayer bench.
Antonyms
There are no widely used antonyms for anxious bench.
The same root words
The term anxious bench is a compound word made up of the words anxious and bench. Anxious means feeling worried or uneasy, while bench refers to a long seat for several people. Together, these words create a term that describes a place where people would go to seek spiritual guidance and comfort.
Example Sentences
- The anxious bench was a popular place for people to seek salvation during the Second Great Awakening.
- She spent hours on the anxious bench, praying for forgiveness and guidance.
- The preacher encouraged the congregation to come forward and kneel at the anxious bench to seek salvation.
- The anxious bench was a powerful tool for evangelism during the early 19th century.
- The church had a designated area for the anxious bench, where people could go to pray and seek spiritual guidance.