Prayer and Authority in Church Worship Practices
Prayer is defined as converse with God, the direct address of the soul to God, encompassing both oral and mental forms, and ranging from spontaneous ejaculations to formal supplications [1]. It is described in Scripture as "beseeching the Lord" (Exodus 32:11), "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Samuel 1:15), and "drawing near to God" (Psalm 73:28) [1, 4]. The act of prayer presupposes a belief in God's personality, His ability, and His willingness to engage with humanity [1].
The Bible commands prayer (Isaiah 55:6; Matthew 7:7; Philippians 4:6) and indicates that it should be offered to God (Psalm 5:2; Matthew 4:10), to Christ (Luke 23:42; Acts 7:59), and to the Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 3:5), always through Christ (Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 10:19) [4]. God is depicted as hearing and answering prayers (Psalm 10:17; 65:2; 99:6; Isaiah 58:9) [4].
Jesus provided a model for prayer, commonly known as the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) [5]. This prayer is similar in form to Jewish prayers of the time, such as the qaddish, and offers a succinct expression of faith, contrasting with the "vain repetition of pagan prayers" [8]. It contains "four great general sentiments" that form the core of religion [5]. A key aspect of this prayer is Jesus's consistent address to God as "Father," a practice rare in Jewish tradition [8].
In Christian worship, prayer is a central act. The apostle Paul instructs believers to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The early church engaged in praising God and prayer (Acts 2:47) [6]. The "effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16 KJV), or more appropriately, "the supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working" (James 5:16 RV), indicating its power to move God [3]. The sacrifice and prayer are considered acts of worship [9].
The authority for prayer in worship practices stems from divine command and biblical example [4]. The Holy Spirit also plays a role in prayer, interceding for believers (Romans 8:26, 27; John 14:26). Christ, as a "royal Priest," dispenses His Spirit, who then acts as His agent, enlightening and quickening minds for prayer [2]. In public worship, the congregation is expected to join in prayer, not merely to have it performed for them, as seen in the instruction to "say Amen" to blessings [10]. The apostle Paul also emphasizes that if anyone speaks in the church, they should do so "as the oracles of God," ensuring that God is glorified in all things through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:11) [7].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — Is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chr. 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14). Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, his ability and willingness to hold inter”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Intercession of the Spirit — (Rom. 8:26, 27; John 14:26). "Christ is a royal Priest (Zech. 6:13). From the same throne, as King, he dispenses his Spirit to all the objects of his care, while as Priest he intercedes for them. The Spirit acts for him, taking only of his things. They both act with one consent, Christ as principal, the Spirit as his agent. Christ intercedes for us, without us, as our advocate in heaven, according to the provisions of the everlasting covenant. The Holy Spirit works upon our minds and hearts, enlightening and quickening, and thus determini”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Effectual prayer — Occurs in Authorized Version, James 5:16. The Revised Version renders appropriately: "The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working", i.e., "it moves the hand of Him who moves the world."”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Lords Prayer — the prayer which Jesus taught his disciples. (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) "In this prayer our Lord shows his disciples how an infinite variety of wants and requests can be compressed into a few humble petitions. It embodies every possible desire of a praying heart, a whole world of spiritual requirements; yet all in the most simple, condensed and humble form, resembling, in this respect, a pearl on which the light of heaven plays."--Lange. "This prayer contains four great general sentiments, which constitute the very soul of religion,--sentiments which”
- Acts “Acts 2:47 (Geneva1599) — Praysing God, and had fauour with all the people: and the Lord added to the Church from day to day, such as should be saued.”
- I Peter “I Peter 4:11 (Geneva1599) — If any man speake, let him speake as the wordes of God. If any man minister, let him do it as of the abilitie which God ministreth, that God in al things may be glorified through Iesus Christ, to whome is prayse and dominion for euer, and euer, Amen.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:9: 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer is similar in form to a common Jewish prayer (the qaddish). Jesus gave this prayer to his followers as a succinct expression of their new faith. 6:9 Pray like this: In contrast to the vain repetition of pagan prayers (6:7-8), “the Lord’s Prayer” is a model of simplicity. • Jews rarely addressed God as Father, but Jesus did so in every prayer but one (Mark 15:34). • may your name be kept holy: God’s name is profaned by the sin of his people (Isa 29:22-24; Jer 34:15-16; Ezek 39:7; Amos 2:7).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 15:8: The sacrifice [and] prayer--are acts of worship. way . . . followeth . . . righteousness--denote conduct. God's regard for the worship and deeds of the righteous and wicked respectively, so stated in Psa 50:17; Isa 1:11.”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 14:16: Else . . . thou--He changes from the first person, as he had just expressed his own resolution, "I will pray with the understanding," whatever "thou" doest. bless--the highest kind of prayer. occupieth the room of the unlearned--one who, whatever other gifts he may possess, yet, as wanting the gift of interpretation, is reduced by the speaking in an unknown tongue to the position of one unlearned, or "a private person." say Amen--Prayer is not a vicarious duty done by others for us; as in Rome's liturgies and masses. We must join with the”