Without public prayer throughout the worship service, the congregation is robbed of the opportunity to learn and participate in God’s people’s prayers.

Reformed churches include public prayer in their worship services because we view it as a biblically commanded and essential element of corporate worship. The practice is rooted in both Scripture and theological conviction. Remember, Jesus Christ calls the temple the “House of Prayer” (Matt. 21:13). 

Sadly, many churches have removed many prayers due to time constraints. Something has to go if a church desires to sing 6-7 songs. Nevertheless, it cannot and should not be prayer. If you journey through the scriptures, prayer was also a regular part of worship in the Old and New Testaments (Acts 2:42, 1 Tim. 2:12, Neh. 9, 1 Kgs 8). The Lord Jesus taught his disciples to pray corporately (“Our Father,” Matt. 6:9). Furthermore, if you would glance at church history, the Early Church continued steadfastly in “the prayers” (Acts 2:42), understood as both private and public. Public prayer expresses the congregation’s unity in Christ, as they collectively bring praise, confession, thanksgiving, and petitions before God.

Public prayer also has a teaching and discipling function. Hearing the elders pray well-structured public prayers models how believers should pray, teaching reverence, dependence, and trust in God’s character and promises. It is vital as a part of the congregation’s spiritual formation.

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