How To Pray Publicly In Church

As believers, we are never meant to walk the Christian life alone. While indeed we are to value and pursue first our communion with God, He has also designed us to be social beings in need of a church community. A lot of our growth as Christians happens only in the context of being in the church community. It is where we grow more in the knowledge of God and sound doctrine as our pastors and ministers teach us (Titus 2), where we have fellow brothers or sisters in the faith who not only encourage us but also correct us with the truth we needed to hear (Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.), and where we can receive godly counsel from godly men and women who value godly wisdom (Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.). As a community, we do life together, including praying for one another as a church.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the church community that You have blessed me with, which values prayer and seeks to pray for one another out of love. May we always persevere in such acts of love, knowing that You have commanded us to make supplications for one another. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

 

Why Do We Pray in Public?

We pray in public because, as a church community, we are to pray for one another. In 1 Timothy 2:1, it is written that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving must be made for all people. (Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;) also teaches us that as we pray, we must make supplications for all saints, our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Praying for one another is given in the context of a church community because we are all called by God to love one another and do good to each other, which is one of the genuine marks of a Christian (Romans 12:9-10).

However, one indeed may ask, can’t we do that in private? Or perhaps if we pray for someone, shouldn’t it just be the two or three of you? The Bible does not limit praying for one another as a church community in a private setting. There are descriptive provisions that tell us that as a church community, we as a church, the congregation, indicating a very public setting, must pray for one another and for someone who is sick (James 5:13-16). We must pray together as we seek God (Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.).

Whenever we pray in public in the context of the church community, we do so because, as Christians, we are to do life together with our fellow brothers and sisters in the faith. For example, if someone is sick, the Bible says to let the people call on the church elders to pray for the sick person (James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord). This person will be prayed for in a public setting. Even when we send off missionaries from our congregation, we do so by praying for them in our worship services. There are many other scenarios where we pray publicly in a church community. We do so because we live together and carry each other’s burdens.

What Does the Bible Say About Praying in Public?

There is also some validity whenever people point out concerns about praying in public. The passage upon which the concern is based is Christ’s commandment in Matthew 6:5-6, where we are not to pray like the hypocrites, praying to be seen. Does that passage mean we have been doing things wrong whenever we pray publicly in the context of a church community? Not necessarily. The heart of the passage in Matthew 6:5-6, where Jesus warns us not to pray like the hypocrites, deals with the issue of the heart. What is the intention behind a hypocrite who wants to be seen praying? It is to make themselves look good or to impress others. In other words, the passage deals more with the intention behind praying.

Even if you pray privately but you have the wrong heart and motive in praying, it does not honor God. There is nothing inherently wrong whenever we pray in public, and people see us. However, we always have to examine our hearts and motives when we do so. We want to obey God, minister, and do everything for His glory.

How Do You Pray Publicly in Church?

You pray publicly in the church by first asking God for the grace always to have pure motives as you pray. Pray that, indeed, you will do it out of worship towards Him as You glorify Him in the public prayer you are about to say in your church community. After that, what you pray is basically what the church community is gathered to pray for. Are you sending off someone to a mission field? Is one of the ministers exiting the ministry as he embraces the new season God is bringing him into, and thus, you want to bless him? Is someone sick and must be prayed for together as a church community? Are you coming together in a prayer meeting and want to end it by praying to God in a way that summarizes everyone’s prayers?

The purpose of why you are praying as a church community will determine what your prayer will be. Remember that praying in public is no different than praying during your private time with God. You are praying to God and not trying to impress others with your eloquence.

Below is an example of a prayer for a fellow church member who is sick prayed in the presence of other believers:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the life of our sister [name of the person], whom You have brought in Christ from darkness to light. Thank You because You are an all-knowing Father who knows all of her needs and is faithful to provide for her. We pray for healing upon our sister [name of the person]. We pray that You would rejuvenate every cell in her body and that her heart disease shall leave her. We pray for a fast recovery upon her and that You would bring her back to good health so she can serve You more. Provide for her financial needs, as well. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Praying in the context of a church community, where other believers are present, is one of the comforting aspects of being a Christian. You see that you are not alone in whatever season you are facing and that you have your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who live with you, walk with you, and pray for you. That is why the church community is an essential aspect of one’s Christian life.