1. THE SENDING FORTH Dismissal Charge Benediction (versus closing prayer) “Service” continues Privately and Publicly Individually, not Corporately

2. THE CONDUCT OF WORSHIP Issues of Poise, Visual Impressions Clerical Garments vs. “The Suit” Clothing and Calling

3. PUBLIC PRAYER Read... Or Extemporaneous? A Problem with Both! Reading can be stilted, unnatural Extemp. can be repetitious, incomplete People cannot actively join Extemp. A Benefit to Both! Extemp. comes from pastor’s heart Extemp. resonates with current issues Read prayers are carefully crafted (you are talking the to King!)

4. PUBLIC PRAYER So, what to do? Recognize that both types are legitimate Yes, read prayers go back to synagogue! Consider the Lord’s prayer Get a good collection of prayers from various books Avoid ineffectual prayers Prepare adequately- at least an outline Work on Personal prayer life! Develop theology of prayer

5. PUBLIC PRAYER L.C. 185: How are we to pray? Answer: We are to pray with an awful apprehension of the majesty of God, and deep sense of our own unworthiness, necessities, and sins; with penitent, thankful, and enlarged hearts; with understanding, faith, sincerity, fervency, love, and perseverance, waiting upon him, with humble submission to his will.

6. PUBLIC PRAYER L.C. 183: For whom shall we pray? Answer: We are to pray for the whole church of Christ upon earth; for magistrates, and ministers; for ourselves, our brethren, yea, our enemies; and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter; but not for the dead, nor for those that are known to have sinned the sin unto death.

7. FORMS OF PUBLIC PRAYER Collect: from Latin, collectio Focus is on meaning of a particular Sunday or feast Bk. of Common Prayer Also, Book of Common Worship Very ancient format (at least back to 4 th century) Address to God Ascription of divine attribute Single petition (related to theme of day) Related clause Trinitarian conclusion or Doxology

8. FORMS OF PUBLIC PRAYER A collect may be used in unison as an opening prayer Example from Book of Common Prayer Address- O Lord God Attribute- Whose blessed Son our Saviour gave his body to be Whipped and his face to be spit upon: One petition- Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time Related Clause- Confident of the glory that shall be revealed; Doxology- Through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen

9. FORMS OF PUBLIC PRAYER Prayer of Confession Should be specific Should be corporate, though silent prayer can be effective after general confession Calvin led this prayer from communion table (to show its corporate nature)

10. FORMS OF PUBLIC PRAYER The Litany (from 4 th -5 th century) Prayer with repeated congregational response  Lord, Hear our Prayer  Lord have mercy  We give you thanks, O Lord Bidding Prayer  Minister mentions a concern and allows time for people to respond in silent prayer

11. FORMS OF PUBLIC PRAYER The Morning Prayer Sometimes, the Pastoral Prayer Better still, Prayers of the People Major objections:  Not really a prayer, but a second sermon  Not very pastoral; often general, abstract  Tries to do everything- does nothing well!  Beware repetitious words: “Father,” “Just”

12. Just as I am!!

13. FORMS OF PUBLIC PRAYER Instead of the Great Long Winded Prayer: Use a number of shorter prayers Concentrate on various acts of worship  Thanksgiving  Intercession (prayer for world at large)  Petition (local concerns)  Confession, etc.