Women's Prayer in Church after Worship Music Context
The practice of women praying in church after worship music is a topic of ongoing debate among Christian traditions. The biblical foundation for this practice is rooted in various passages that address the role of women in worship and the nature of prayer.
In 1 Corinthians 11:13, Paul implies that women can pray in church, as he asks rhetorically whether it is proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered [3]. This passage suggests that women's participation in prayer is acceptable, but it also implies certain cultural and symbolic norms. The context of 1 Corinthians 14:34, which instructs women to be silent in churches, is often understood as referring to a specific kind of speaking or teaching, rather than prayer or singing [2, 4].
The biblical concept of prayer is understood as "converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him" [5]. This definition encompasses various forms of prayer, including oral and mental, occasional and constant, and formal or ejaculatory prayer.
In the New Testament, singing and prayer are closely linked. Paul and Silas sang hymns in prison, demonstrating that music and prayer can be integral to worship, even in difficult circumstances [9]. The practice of singing hymns is also mentioned in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16, where it is associated with being filled with the Spirit and giving thanks [8].
The relationship between singing and prayer is further highlighted in the Psalms, where the singers and minstrels are accompanied by women playing tambourines [1]. This passage illustrates that women have historically participated in worship through music.
Reformed and Presbyterian traditions have interpreted these biblical passages in various ways. Calvin's commentary on Philippians and Colossians highlights the importance of prayer in Christian worship [6]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on 1 Samuel 2 notes that "praise and prayer are inseparably conjoined in Scripture" [7].
The question of whether women should pray in church after worship music depends on one's interpretation of the relevant biblical passages and the specific cultural and ecclesiastical context. While some traditions may restrict women's participation in certain aspects of worship, others understand the biblical injunctions as allowing for women's involvement in prayer and music.
Sources
- Psalms “The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, in the midst of the ladies playing with tambourines, -- Psalms 68:25”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Corinthians 14:34 — Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 11:13 (Tyndale) — Iudge in youre selves whether it be coly yt a woman praye vnto god bare heeded.”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 14:34 (BSB) — Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.”
- 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”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 84.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1 1:26 3:22 9:6 9:6 9:6 14:13 Exodus 7:11 14:13 14:31 32:32 Leviticus 19:14 Deuteronomy 7:7-8 10:17 13:3 1 Kings 19:18 Job 4:18 Psalms 7:8 35:19 37:5 55:22 55:22 69:28 73:1-12 122:6 128:2 137:6 138:8 138:8 145:18 Proverbs 3:5 5:15 8:36 10:4 Ecclesiastes 9:3 Isaiah 11:4 26:9 30:15 30:21 33:22 42:1 45:23 48:11 50:5 53:1 55:11 55:13 60:2 60:2 60:2 64:8 Jeremiah 5:8 17:9 23:29 31:33 Ezekiel 11:20 Daniel 12:2 Hosea 1:10-11 Amos 9:36 Zechariah 14:8 Malachi 4:2 Matthew 5:11 5:14 5:15 ”
- 1 Samuel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Samuel 2 (introduction): HANNAH'S SONG IN THANKFULNESS TO GOD. (Sa1 2:1-11) Hannah prayed, and said--Praise and prayer are inseparably conjoined in Scripture (Col 4:2; Ti1 2:1). This beautiful song was her tribute of thanks for the divine goodness in answering her petition. mine horn is exalted in the Lord--Allusion is here made to a peculiarity in the dress of Eastern women about Lebanon, which seems to have obtained anciently among the Israelite women, that of wearing a tin or silver horn on the forehead, on which their veil is suspended. Wives, who have no ”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 5:19: 5:19-20 Lives filled with the Holy Spirit will be expressed in singing . . . and making music (Col 3:16-17). Joyful praise, worship, and giving thanks are fitting responses to God’s saving grace. • among yourselves: Singing together builds up the body of Christ. • The Lord hears the music in our hearts. • in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is our mediator and representative as we approach God (cp. John 14:13-14; 16:23-27; Rev 22:4).”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 16:25: And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises--literally, "praying, were singing praises"; that is, while engaged in pouring out their hearts in prayer, had broken forth into singing, and were hymning loud their joy. As the word here employed is that used to denote the Paschal hymn sung by our Lord and His disciples after their last Passover (Mat 26:30), and which we know to have consisted of Psa. 113:1-118:29, which was chanted at that festival, it is probable that it was portions of the Psalms, so rich in such matter, which our joyous suffere”