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."

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.

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?

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

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

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” “

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.

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.”

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

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?

COMMON ERRORS In Jesus Name – Ephesians 5: 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