Leading in public prayer during worship requires some special skills. We must remember what we are doing.

1. PUBLIC
PRAYER
Luke 11:1 Now it came to pass, as He
was praying in a certain place, when
He ceased, that one of His disciples
said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray,
as John also taught his disciples."

2. INTRODUCTION

Matthew 21:13 - “house of prayer”

There are some differences in public vs.
private prayers

God has not given us set, printed,
prescribed prayers to say

Prayer must come from the heart

BUT Jesus did teach HOW to pray.

3. POSTURE

Private prayer – any posture is OK

Public prayer – some adjustments needed

Stand is better than seated

Face audience is better than behind them

Voice out is better than down to floor

1 Corinthians 14:16 Otherwise, if you bless with the
spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the
uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since
he does not understand what you say?

4. POSTURE

Some “man made” rules – not biblical

Close your eyes – deaf hear with their
eyes

Don't use notes – helpful – remember
those you want to pray for

In larger congregations – use microphone

You are LEADING others – they must be
able to hear and understand

5. COMMON ERRORS

Volume – Prayer must be audible to all
present – whatever that requires

Vain Repetitions – We can develop
“habits” of words or phrases and use them
over and over.

Unprepared – Leads to disorganized
thoughts and distracting long pauses

6. COMMON ERRORS

Predictable – Use the same phrases in
every prayer. “Be with us all from the king
upon the throne to the begger by the
wayside.”

Flowery Language – Use simple words of
ordinary speech – Jesus used “koine”
Greek (common, not classical) “places of
abode” “

7. COMMON ERRORS

Preaching – We are talking to God. We
do not need to remind Him what He
revealed in the Bible.

Untruth – Through flattery or in an attempt
to be humble

Too Long – A prayer does not need to go
on and on. Sometimes done for display, to
be seen and heard.

8. COMMON ERRORS

Too Fast – One who is nervous will often
begin speaking too fast to be clear and
understood.

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.”

9. COMMON ERRORS

Address God – We often forget that we
are talking to deity, not the audience.

Jesus is Mediator – We forget that our
prayers are through Jesus to the Father.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and
one Mediator between God and men, the
Man Christ Jesus

10. COMMON ERRORS

In Jesus Name –

All prayers are through Jesus, our
mediator

Must these words be said in our prayer?

Must they be at the end of the prayer?

11. COMMON ERRORS

In Jesus Name –

Ephesians 5:20-21 20 giving thanks always for
all things to God the Father in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another
in the fear of God.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word
or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

NOTE: Both passages in context of singing