Prayer

Which is better in church gatherings: pre-written or spontaneous prayers?

9Marks

Some people prefer pre-written prayers, because it gives them the opportunity to carefully think through how they want to lead the congregation. Other people worry that pre-written prayers will “quench” whatever the Spirit might do in the moment. Here are several thoughts on the prayers for which you have the opportunity to plan:

What are some guidelines for leading a church in prayer?

9Marks

Use “we,” not “I.” You’re praying on behalf of everyone in the room, not just yourself.

Who should lead the church in prayer?

9Marks

Pastors and elders. Pastors and elders should lead the church in prayer because they are responsible for teaching the Word and shepherding the flock (1 Tim. 3:2; 1 Pet. 5:2). Remember, when you’re praying, you are teaching those around you! Therefore, much of the church’s corporate prayer should be led by those whom the church has recognized as its spiritual leaders.

Why should a church devote extended time to corporate prayer?

9Marks

A church should devote extended time to corporate prayer:

Why should a worship service contain these different kinds of prayers (praise, thanksgiving, confession, intercession)?

9Marks

A Christian worship service should contain different kinds of prayers so that the church would worship God rightly. God is inherently worthy of our praise, so we should praise him in prayer (Ps. 135:3). God is the giver of every good and perfect gift (Jas. 1:17), so we should thank him. God is the holy Lord of the universe, so we should confess our sins to him (Dan. 9; Neh. 9). God is a wise, all-powerful, and loving Father, so we should make requests of him and intercede with him on behalf of others (Matt. 7:7-11; Phil. 4:6).

What are the different kinds of prayer a church’s gathering should include?

9Marks

In the Bible, we find prayers of praise to God, prayers of confession, prayers of thanksgiving, and prayers that lift up specific requests to God (Ps. 111; Ps. 51; 1 Cor. 11:24; Phil. 4:6). There’s no verse which says that a church gathering must contain four distinct times of prayer, each of which covers one of these four different postures. But we believe it’s prudent to do so for the sake of being deliberate about each, and for the sake of teaching the congregation how to do the same: