While I was a pastor, I became friends with a man who'd retired after many years as a reporter and editor for a major newspaper. Over the years he told me stories from his journalistic career. The force of his tales came from the context of relentless evil in which they were set.
I asked him how he maintained his spiritual life amid such an environment. "Don't you feel sometimes as if you're living ...
Planning Worship Prayer How to enter into the work of preparing your church’s corporate prayer experience. by Howard Vanderwell and Norma deWaal Malefyt
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The task of formulating and/or selecting prayers for a worship service can be a daunting task. We are planning words that others will take on their lips and speak to God! Worship planners will want to take great care in deciding which prayers should be included, where the prayers should be located in the worship service, who will lead the prayers, and how they will be written. We plead that sensitive ...
Types of Worship Prayers Variety can add life and help us make sure each prayer is suitable to the occasion. by Howard Vanderwell and Norma deWaal Malefyt
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There are many varieties of prayer that will appear in worship services. Each will likely have its own focus and purpose. Identifying a number of these types can raise our awareness of the distinct nature of each prayer we insert in a service.
Prayer of Invocation
A brief prayer near the opening of worship in which the congregation calls on God, particularly God's Spirit, to be present and give blessing ...
The Pastoral Prayer Carrying the needs and concerns of the people to the throne of grace. by Dave Wiersbe
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One Sunday after worship, a first-time guest said to me, "I appreciated the pastoral prayer." I forget my response. I was stunned to learn that someone cared about that part of the service. Since then I've learned how important the pastoral prayer is.
I want our people to know they are prayed for. And I want them to experience the peace of resting under the prayers of a leader who takes seriously the ...
Invocations and Benedictions Invite God into worship and send people away from worship with powerful prayer. by Gordon Macdonald
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Invocations and benedictions are important pieces of the worship service. Here are the basics on each type of prayer.
The Invocation
The first prayer of worship, usually called the invocation, has only one purpose: to invite and then acknowledge the presence of God among the assembled worshipers. To invoke is to request God's openness to the words and thoughts of the people. The prayer is to set aside ...
Methods of Praying We can choose from a multiplicity of ways to lead our people in prayer. by Howard Vanderwell and Norma deWaal Malefyt
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Just as the types of prayers will include a great deal of variety, so should the methods in which we pray represent a variety. This admittedly incomplete listing of some different methods may stimulate your ideas, discussions, and planning.
Extemporaneous Prayer by a Pastor or Worship Leader
This prayer is not written out and is presented conversationally. This requires careful forethought by the leader ...
Distinctive Public Prayer Keeping the boredom out of how your church conducts corporate prayer. by John Killinger
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"Preacher," said a man on the worship committee of one of my churches a few years ago, "I don't mean this personally, so no hard feelings, but I think about the most boring thing we do in our worship services is pray."
I haven't forgotten that complaint. So I do everything in my power to make these prayers as lively and interesting as possible. Otherwise many people simply will tune out during prayers. ...