CONFERENCE EVENTS
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PRAYER FOR YOUR CHURCH
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Growth through evangelism
Lord, I lift up our church growth to You. Add to our number daily through new converts. Birth spiritual children through us. Let our actions win people over without words. Use us as Your agents to rescue people from darkness and bring them into Your Son’s kingdom. We long to be worthy ambassadors in this ministry You have entrusted to us: that of proclaiming Your message of reconciliation to a lost world. (Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 4:15; 1 Pet. 3:1-2; Col. 1:13; 2 Cor 5:20)
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Home  July 2007 It Seems to Me
. . . some churches think we should all be quiet when we pray together.
Recently, I was with a Sunday congregation and, as the instruments played, we were instructed to be in an "attitude of prayer." Well, everyone knew that meant no noise, no movement, no interruptions.
It got me wondering, should an "attitude of prayer" always be calm? Meditative? Quiet? Reflective? Should we assume worshipful prayer equals seated and silent?
In some Christian traditions, where activity and noise is the barometer of spirituality, quiet reflection would be a welcomed change for many. Silence is undervalued and seldom experienced. But, in many evangelical or liturgical expressions of the faith, "attitude of prayer" always and only mandates everyone sits still-and-silent (pray for those ADHD squirmers!).
Frankly, all of us, whether we fall more to the pentecostal or the pietistic ends of the spectrum, could use genuine "be still and know that I am God" time in our corporate worship. We all talk too much (whether singing or saying our prayers) and listen too seldom.
But, isn't loud the proper "attitude" of prayer when the Spirit is leading us to cry out to the Lord? (Exodus 22:23: “If . . . they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.”) Isn't an aggressive approach appropriate when we are led to obey the biblical command to shout in defiance to the enemy? And what about shouting for joy when we are discouraged or faithless? Have we forgotten our Lord offered prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears? (Hebrews 5:7)
Certainly in our corporate gatherings we must "be sure that everything is done properly and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40) but that should not preclude Holy Spirit inspired expressions of praying that raise the decibel level or illustrate God's crying heart for the poor or a warrior spirit against evil.
It seems to me we have no trouble singing "Shout to the Lord," we just don't expect anyone to actually do it!
Pastor Phil
http://www.PrayerLeader.blogspot.com
http://www.PrayingPastorblog.blogspot.com |
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