I will give the command and shake the people of Israel like grain in a sieve. I will shake them among the nations to remove all who are worthless. – Amos 9:9 GNT

When I read a verse like this, I think about how the Church may be experiencing the winnowing of God soon too.

I think the Church is filled with all kinds of characters. I think there are those who call themselves Christians and yet are prayerless and godless. There are others who acknowledge God as Lord and they pray in agony when asking God to step into their world. In business or in charity or in their homes there are those who find that their lives matter as moments of instruction, as moments of blessing for the world. In their praise and prayers they are seen as princes – having power with God.

While these characters are mingled in the Church, they are not united. So sifting and separation has to happen.

Why is it that prayer in the name of Christ brings such fullness of joy? In part, because we get what we ask. But that is not the only reason, nor the greatest. It makes God real. When we ask something definite of God, and He gives it, how real God becomes! He is right there! It is blessed to have a God who is real, and not merely an idea. I remember how once I was taken suddenly and seriously sick all alone in my study. I dropped upon my knees and cried to God for help. Instantly all pain left me—I was perfectly well. It seemed as if God stood right there, and had put out His hand and touched me. The joy of the healing was not so great as the joy of meeting God. – R. A. Torrey