Public Prayer
Luke 11:1

Introduction:

1. Matthew 21:13 - “house of prayer”

2. There are some differences in public vs. private prayer.

3. God has not given us set prayers. Come from the heart.

4. But Jesus did teach the apostles HOW to pray. Matthew 6:3

Posture:

1. In private prayer – any posture is OK,

2. Public prayer requires some adjustment for the audience to hear.

   1. Stand is better than seated.

   2. Face audience better than behind them.

3. We have made some “rules” that are not biblical.

   1. Close your eyes – Helpful – not required – deaf hear with their eyes

   2. Don't use notes – those to mention in prayer.

4. Use microphone – depends on your voice, size of the auditorium

5. Bow head – muffles the sound, sent to the floor

6. Say “Amen” - faded from our use, why? It is OK to agree with the prayer

Common Errors:

1. Volume - Public prayer must be audible to all present so that they too can be united together in prayer. A head-up, mouth-unobstructed position is generally necessary to be heard by others.

2. Vain repetitions - e.g. "Lord...Lord" is often used as punctuation.

3. Unprepared - leading to distracting long pauses, and disorganized prayers.

4. Predictable – Standard prayers that are too predictable are boring to the worshipers. “Be with us all from the king upon the throne to the begger by the wayside.”

5. Flowery Language – Wrongly used, too familiar, too casual, too flowery. “Places of abode.”

6. Preaching in prayer is wrong because prayer is primarily addressed to God - though, in all good prayers many biblical truths are mentioned, ego God's sovereignty, man's utter unworthiness.

7. Untruth either in flattery, or in humility.

8. Too long because of unnecessary details, inappropriate supplications, unnecessary repetitions - so that the other worshippers lose concentration.

9. Too fast so that others don't have enough time to understand the supplication and agree with it.

10. Announcements - “Help us remember the fellowship meal tonight.” “We pray that the ladies will remember the baby shower at 2 this afternoon in the fellowship room.”

11. Address God – We forget we are talking to God.

12. Jesus is Mediator – We forget Jesus is our mediator. We pray through Jesus to the Father.