Men who lead public prayer have a special responsibility to think what they are going to say so the congregation can follow them and say "Amen" to what is said. Not only should the prayer be thought out, it should also be spoken out. Too many times this writer has had trouble hearing the public prayer from the front pew.

At this writing I am concerned about the prayers that are offered at the Lord's table. It is my conviction that too often our prayers are stereotyped. They come forth as mere words that have been memorized through the years and instead of   being the thoughts of the person they ,are the sweet soundings and words that have been handed down through the generations. We have all noticed this. When brother "A" was called upon to pray, we knew, word for word, what he would say. When brother "B" was called upon to lead the prayer the same was true of him. I have seen children that had memorized the prayers of certain brethren and made a game of quoting them.  Brethren, this ought not to be. ...

The prayers at the Lord's table are glaring examples of lack of thought and memorized words and phrases. How many times does the second prayer begin, "In like manner, Father." And nine times our of ten there has been no manner expressed in the first prayer or in a short talk at the table. Admit it brethren, practically all of us have been guilty of this.

In our prayer at the Lord's table we usually take time to tell Christians what the bread and the fruit of the vine represent, as if they don't already know. If we are not doing it for the sake of Christians then who are we doing it for? Must we tell God what the items represent? Must we preach to the non-Christians in the prayer?

How often do we address our prayer to God and then talk of Him shedding His blood on the cross? How often do we ask God to bless the bread and the fruit of the vine? This was done nearly 2,000 years ago. Why not follow the Lord's example? When He took bread, He gave thanks. We should do the same: Give thanks for the bread and the fruit of the vine.

The prayer at the Lord's table is not the time or place to pray for "all the sick and aff1icted the world over." It is not the time to pray for "all the missionaries on foreign soil or in difficult fields." This is not the time for a general prayer. It should be a specific prayer for a specific purpose.-

Brethren, please do not misunderstand me. My writing here is not to rebuke. My purpose is not to make fun. God forbid that I should ever do such a thing! I am concerned about our worship. Men only improve when they are taught to do so. Do not let what has been said cause you to become so self-conscious, that you cannot lead a prayer. On the other hand do try to improve in your leading prayer. All of us have room for improvement.

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Page last updated: March 03, 2003