For the last couple of years, a Congregational / Pastoral Prayer has been consistently included in our Sunday morning worship services.  The prayers are strong, rich, and long (lasting about five minutes each).  It has been another way of keeping prayer before the congregation, reminding them of prayer needs and giving examples of deep conversation with God.

The characteristics of most of the Congregational prayers include:

– Scriptural References.  Some start with a biblical call to worship or a passage used as the theme for the prayer and all have a biblical basis. 

– Promises.  The promises of God are spoken to Him with a request for our being able to see Him work them out.  We know He will keep His promises, and we delight to ask and see Him do them.

– World wide and National attention.  The church’s missionaries are mentioned by name, and God is asked for his work in current events around the globe.

– Local focus.  Nearby Bible- preaching churches are prayed for

– Congregational concerns.  Rejoicing with those who rejoice and mourning with those who mourn includes mentioning specific people by name.  Specific issues facing the church are lifted up.

– Thanksgiving, and praise.  Much is made of the Triune God and His goodness to us.

The prayers are written out ahead of time, practiced, and delivered as an act of worship.   We should consider making them into a book.