Praying Publicly in Church

The New Testament church devoted time together in fellowship, listening to the apostle’s teaching, eating together, and praying (Acts 2:42ff). And just like the early and ancient churches did, modern church services incorporate times of prayer throughout the service. God loves our prayers, both individually and corporately. Times of prayer help us to worship God, depend on God, help us to act into accordance with His will, and help us to work together with God to accomplish His purposes on the earth.

Jesus prayed out loud so that those who heard him could know joy in him (John 17:13) and model their prayers after his. In the same way, when we pray aloud, we have an opportunity to “encourage one another” and to “stir up one another to love and good works” (Heb 10:24-25). Praising God, declaring truth in prayer about God that assures us of our salvation, and asking God for his help aloud are also valuable ways that God’s people can “draw near” to God “in full assurance of faith” (Heb 10:19-22).

After the ascension of Jesus, the early Christians devoted themselves to gathering together and praying (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 12:12). Like them, we live between the resurrection and ascension of Jesus and his second coming. Gathering and praying together are part and parcel of life for those who believe Jesus is now seated as God’s king and are waiting for his return.

1. The New Testament instructs us to:

2. Pray for those in authority (including our government leaders & representatives, judges, emergency services): 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

3. Pray for God’s church worldwide and in Australia: Colossians 1:18, 1 Thessalonians 1:7-10

4. Pray for the lost: 1 Timothy 2:4

5. Pray for gospel workers: Matthew 9:35-38, Matthew 28:16-20

6. Pray for the local church and local leaders: Philippians 1:9, Hebrews 13:7,17-19

7. Pray for the extension of God’s kingdom: Matthew 6:10, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5, Revelation 22:20-21

8. Pray for godliness in the light of Christ’s return: 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11

9. Pray for the sick and suffering: James 5:13-16

Source: Living Hope Anglican, 2024 - used with permission

Jesus taught his disciples how to pray (e.g. Matt 5:44; 6:5-8; 9:37-38; Mark 12:40; Luke 11:1-4) and the writers of the New Testament taught the church how to pray (Phil 4:6-7; 2 Thess 1:3, 11-12; 3:1-2). But Jesus didn’t just give his disciples the theory; he often took his disciples with him when he withdrew from the crowds to pray (Matt 26:36-45; Luke 9:18, 27-30; 11:1-3; John 17). Similarly, praying aloud is a concrete way of modelling to others how to pray. We often take it for granted that everyone knows what Christian prayer is about, but it’s now less and less likely that people have had modelled to them what it is to pray to a living God in a personal way with assurance that he hears. It’s worth explaining a few fundamentals such as:

• Even though other people are listening to our prayer, we’re praying to God.

• The Bible teaches us that through his death and resurrection, Jesus has made it possible for us to pray (Heb 10:19-21) so that’s why we close our prayers with “In Jesus’ name we pray”.

• Jesus’ death and resurrection have given us access to the throne room of God, so we can be sure God hears our prayers and we can approach God with confidence (Heb 10:19-21). That’s why we don’t need to impress God with fancy words.

• Because of Jesus, we don’t pray to a distant God. Rather, we pray to God as our Father (Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6) so we can pray, for example, “Our heavenly Father”.

• We close with the word “amen” as a way of inviting others to affirm our prayers and say they agree.

• When we pray on our own, we use the word ‘I’. But in a church setting, we’re inviting others to pray with us and to say “amen” to our prayers. So that’s why we pray using the word ‘we’ and never ‘they’.

• Because we’re praying in church, it’s important to pray with a clear and fairly loud voice rather than a whisper. This is especially important for people who are used to changing their tone of voice or lowering their voice when they pray.

Source: Living Hope Anglican, 2024 - used with permission

The structure of the Book of Common Prayer

The Prayer Book services of Morning and Evening Prayer were designed to help God's people pray together in a meaningful way, inspired by the reading and application of Scripture. For this reason, it was called a book of common prayer. It contains different types of prayers, for example:

• Psalms and scriptural sentences

• Confession of sin and Assurance of forgiveness

• Thanksgiving

• Short responsive prayers

• The Lord’s Prayer

• Collects

The structure of collects

Thomas Cranmer, author of the Book of Common Prayer, structured its ‘collects’ in a clear form:

1. The address - a name of God

2. The doctrine - a truth about God’s nature that is the basis for the prayer

3. The petition - what is being asked for

4. The aspiration - what good result will come if the request is granted

5. In Jesus’ name - this remembers the mediatorial role of Jesus

Example:

1. Almighty God

2. unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden,

3. cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit,

4. that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name,

5. through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

More at Better Gatherings website (Anglican Diocese of Sydney)

Almighty and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers and supplications, and to give thanks, for all men:

We humbly beseech thee most mercifully [*to accept our alms and oblations, and] to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord:

And grant, that all they that do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity, and godly love.

We beseech thee also to save and defend all Christian Kings, Princes, and Governors; and specially thy servant CHARLES our King; that under him we may be godly and

quietly governed:

And grant unto his whole Council, and to all that are put in authority under him, that they may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion, and virtue.

Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops and Curates, that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments:

And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace; and specially to this congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear, and receive thy holy Word; truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.

And we most humbly beseech thee of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all them, who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other

adversity.

And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with

them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom:

Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate.

Amen.

Gracious Father,

your Son Jesus Christ has promised that you will hear us when we ask in faith: receive the prayers we offer.

We give thanks for... We pray for... the nations:
Guide with your wisdom and power the leaders of the nations, so that everyone may live in peace and mutual trust, sharing with justice the resources of the earth. Give the people of this land a spirit of unselfishness, compassion, and fairness in public and private life.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We give thanks for... We pray for...the Church:
Send out the light and truth of your gospel and bring people everywhere to know and love you. Enable those who minister among us to commend your truth by their example and teaching. May we gladly receive and obey your word.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We give thanks for... We pray for...those in need:
We commend to your fatherly care, merciful God, all who are in sorrow, sickness, discouragement or any other trouble. Give them patience and a firm trust in your goodness. Help those who care for them, and bring us all into the joy of your salvation.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We give thanks for the life and work of...
We praise you for all your servants whose lives have honoured Christ. Encourage us by their example, so that we may run with perseverance the race that lies before us, and share with them the fullness of joy in your kingdom.

Hear us, Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

Almighty God,
we praise you for your creation,
and all you richly provide.
Enable us to live in such a way
that your majesty and mercy
are seen by all.
Father hear our prayer,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All governments rule under your authority.
May they work for the good of those they rule,
seeking your justice and peace in every law and action.
Father hear our prayer,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Enable those who are engaged in industry and commerce,
the media and education, sport and the arts,
to fulfil their responsibilities with integrity and an attitude of service.
Father hear our prayer,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Comfort and strengthen those who are gripped by poverty,
weakened by illness, or oppressed by cruelty.
May they know your love and experience your care.
Father hear our prayer,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Inspire your church here on earth to proclaim the gospel of your love
in the death and resurrection of your Son.
May all people hear the call to trust you.
Father hear our prayer,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Help your people to display your compassion to all those in need.
May the poor and the lost of this world find in you
their true wealth and sure destiny.
Refresh and equip us, O God,
to be your faithful and obedient people,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, who was and is and is to come,
Holy God, our Alpha and our Omega, our beginning and our end.

We pray for the Church, the Bride of the Lamb.
We pray for her joy, her delight in the Lamb, her faithfulness to him, her purity and spotlessness in the world.
We pray for the Presbyterian Church throughout our land, that it be true and faithful.

Almighty God, our Alpha and our Omega, our beginning and our end, who brought Israel out of Egypt,
and sent your infant Son with Mary and Joseph down into Egypt,
and gave them a refuge in the days of King Herod.

We pray for the moderator of the General Assembly, Henry Buckworth.
Support him in his ministry of encouragement to the Coptic Evangelical Church in Egypt.
We pray for the Patriarch of Alexandria, and for all those who lead the ancient Orthodox Church of Egypt, her bishops, her abbots, her monks and priests.

Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come,
who has promised us a new heaven and a new earth.

We pray for our own land, faced with the problem of inflation.
Grant to us as a people a willingness to live simpler lives, the heart to share with other nations the plenty that you have given us.

Almighty God, who was and is and is to come,
King of Kings and Lord of Lords, to whom in the end all authority belongs.

We pray for the kings of this earth,
the leaders of China, the president of South Korea, the government of Taiwan, the republic of India. Grant that the rulers of these lands might provide justice among their people.

Lord God, Almighty, Everlasting, Eternal, who was and is and is to come,
in whose presence every tear will be wiped away,
death will be no more, and there will be no more mourning, nor crying, nor pain,
for all things will have passed away.

We pray your blessing on those who mourn,
on those who are alone, on those who live in hope, on those who wander, on those who are homeless.

To you we make our prayers,
Holy, Holy, Holy God,
who was and is and is to come,
claiming the intercession of him who is at your right hand,
Jesus Christ, the righteous,
praying as he taught us, saying,

Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,
Forever and ever.

Amen

Source: Hughes Oliphant Old, Leading in Prayer: A Workbook for Worship (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995), pp. 202-3.

Most High God,
The universe with all its myriad creatures is thine,
made by thy word,
upheld by thy power,
governed by thy will.

But thou art also the Father of mercies,
the God of all grace,
the bestower of all comfort,
the protector of the saved.

Thou hast been mindful of us,
hast visited us, preserved us,
given us a goodly heritage —
the Holy Scriptures,
the joyful gospel,
the Saviour of souls,

We come to thee in Jesus’ name,
make mention of his righteousness only,
plead his obedience and sufferings
who magnified the law both in its precepts and penalty,
and made it honourable.

May we be justified by his blood,
saved by his life,
joined to his Spirit.

Let us take up his cross and follow him.
May the agency of thy grace prepare us for thy dispensations.
Make us willing that thou shouldest choose our inheritance
and determine what we shall retain or lose, suffer or enjoy;
If blessed with prosperity may we be free from its snares,
and use, not abuse, its advantages;

May we patiently and cheerfully submit to those afflictions which are necessary.

When we are tempted to wander,
hedge up our way,
excite in us abhorrence of sin,
wean us from the present evil world,

Assure us that we shall at last enter Immanuel’s land
where none is ever sick,
and the sun will always shine.

Source: Arthur Bennett (ed), The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1975), pp. 386-7.

Blessed are you, loving God, joy of the universe! We thank you for the blessings, both seen and unseen, that pour from the storehouse of your love, hour after hour, age after age.

We thank you for light; the kindly light that greets our faces at the window at morning, and the light that greets our souls when we turn to prayer.

We thank you for truth; the knowledge we uncover and accumulate about the universe around us, and the wisdom which we can gain from the experiences of each another.

We thank you for beauty; for the beauty we see in blossoming trees and children’s faces, and the loveliness of the human spirit revealed through times of hardship.

We thank you for peace; the peace that comes when opponents are reconciled and the peace that enfolds us when we trust our restless lives into your care.

We thank you for grace; the grace of swooping rainbow birds, dancing brolgas, and the saving grace that flows from the cross to embrace fools and rebels.

We thank you for rest; the sleep-rest that comes at the end of an exacting day and the sweet rest that permeates our being in response to Christ’s call.

We thank you for laughter; the merriment we share over comic and ironic situations, and the merriment that gathers us up like the wings of eagles on Easter Day.

Blessed are you, loving God, joy of the universe! We thank you for blessings both seen and unseen, and for the promise that the best is yet to come. Through Jesus Christ our light and salvation.

Amen!

Let us pray.

Holy Friend, we your people who have received your joy through the bright and happy times, and known your enabling strength in times of pain and tears, now seek your blessing on our fellow human beings everywhere.

Bless the strong that they may be compassionate, the very capable that they may be patient with the inept, and the attractive people that they may be walk humbly.

Bless the weak that they may find courage, the battlers that they may receive encouragement, and the disfigured that they may find respect and affirmation.

Bless the healthy that they may be gentle, the successful that they may keep the common touch, and the elderly that they may cherish each day as a bonus.

Bless the diseased that they may be given the best treatments, the dying that they may be loved until the end, and the grieving that loss may be tempered with comfort and hope.

Bless the rich that they may be more than generous, the famous that they may use their fame for good, and rulers that they may be seek justice and love mercy.

Bless the poor that they may break free from poverty, the unthanked and ignored folk that they may retain self respect, and the losers that they may become your winners.

Bless Christians of strong belief that they may be gracious, those of many gifts that they may use them gratefully, and large congregations that they may help the weak ones.

Bless the waverers that their faith may consolidate those of small gifts that they may employ them well, and struggling churches that they may encourage one another in love.

Most loving God, keep our hearts always open to the inflow of your compassion, that we may receive it gladly and spend it freely for the welfare of those whom others forget. In the name of our Lord Jesus and to the glory of your new world.

Amen!