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DISCUSSION FORUM6: Public Prayer
After watching the presentations by Pastor Robert Morgan and Dr. Vernon Whaley, compare and
contrast these seemingly unrelated subjects as related to the changing dynamics of 21st century
worship leading. Explain how the changes taking place in our worship impact our practice of
public prayer.
Throughout the history of Christianity, there have been many changes and innovations in
the Church especially in the twenty-first century. It is important to know that changing is not a
mistake. A church should be changed as the culture changes. However, we need to have spiritual
discernment about what should be changed or not. We must examine what we are doing and how
we, as church leaders might also be able to use these innovations to advance the kingdom. This
does not simply mean, however, that we adopt the innovation. And, the innovation of the church
must be based on the essential of the Gospel – we must always keep our focus on the gospel
message. Through it, the church can be expanded to the world.
For many churches, issues of worship style and traditions often create controversy and
division. But corporate worship is the time when Christians should experience the most unity as
they join together to lift up the name of Jesus. Worship and prayer are inseparable. A worshiping
church is always a praying church. A local congregation that devotes significant time to prayer in
its corporate services will experience the power of God. We often think of prayer as a spiritual
discipline for private worship and devotion, and so it is. But prayer is also a public devotion that
is to be a part of corporate worship. When we sing hymns or pray in unison, let us do so with our
hearts and minds fully engaged. And during the pastoral prayer, let us think carefully on the
pastor’s words and ask the Lord for the prayer to be answered.
As Robert Morgan states theology of prayer, there are the principles of corporate/public
prayer according to Acts 12. First, the first-century Christians exhibited the priority of prayer in
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their corporate worship. Prayer and expressing dependence on God is at the heart of worship.
Also, prayer is God’s chosen path for us to reach the throne of grace. Second, the believers in
Acts 12 understood the purpose of prayer in corporate worship. We seek God when we make
prayer a strategic part of our corporate worship. Why? Prayer is communication with God.
Corporate prayer provides opportunity for communion (Ps. 96:809) and companionship with
God, it gives us a platform to offer worship, praise, and adoration to God in public – that
continues in private – all the time, without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17), everywhere (1 Tim. 2:8), day
and night (1 Tim. 5:5) and for everything (Phil. 4:6). Third, the miracle of Acts 12 is evidence of
the promise and power of prayer in corporate worship. God promises to hear and respond to
public prayer (2 Chron. 7:14) and He promises His blessings when people join together in prayer
(Exod. 20:24). Fourth, Acts 12 illustrates something of the process of prayer in corporate
worship. While nothing is specifically stated in this passage about the manner and structure of
the prayer service by the brethren, it is obvious some type of process as executed. Multitudes of
other Scripture passages shed light on the process. Most often, the process begins with our
personal and public motives. Lastly, prayer in corporate worship should be practical. The
desperate needs of a beloved brother is what drove the Christians to their knees in Acts 12. They
continued in prayer with persistence and purpose.
Keeping corporate prayer practical and focused on worship may be a difficult challenge,
but consistent, faithful, and purpose-driven prayer is the source of power for worshiping
believers. A worshiping congregation will always be a praying congregation. Worship of God
through prayer begins as we practice prayer in our own lives first. Then we take time to lead and
teach our people on Sunday mornings to join hands and lift their voices to heaven.
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