February 1994
COVER-UP PRAYER
Public prayer
is taught in the Scriptures. We say we believe it is
important. We plan for specific times in a worship service when
someone will lead us in prayer. So far, so good.
But in this, as in so many other things, our
actions speak louder than our words. Many who protest loudly that
public prayer is important show that they actually think otherwise when
they use the time of prayer as a cover for some activity they feel is
more important.
Who among us has not been startled when the
prayer is over to discover the people on the platform completely
rearranged? Under cover of the bowed heads and closed eyes of the
congregation, various members of "The Worship Team" as some call them,
have moved around to get ready for the next part of the "performance".
This is sometimes defended as an effort to
make the service smooth, with as few distractions and as little time
lost as possible. That sounds good. But I have some
problems with it.
First, the idea that a service must be smooth
and efficient reveals a lack of understanding of the spiritual
dimension of worship. The smoothest services are sometimes
lacking in the essential ingredient of the power of the Holy
Spirit. I don't advocate crude, unplanned, lengthy
services. But I think we need to remember that it is not our best
efforts which produce the desired results in public worship. Even
our very best is worth nothing without the Spirit.
Which brings me to the second problem:
the idea that everyone else needs to pray during this time, but I don't
need to because I am leading the worship or am getting ready to
"perform". It seems to me that those of us who preach, sing,
lead, etc. are actually in greater need of prayer than others. We
have a heavy responsibility to see that the public worship services
actually help people have a fresh encounter with God. Because of
that responsibility, we should pray, not move about doing other things.
This practice of "Cover-Up Prayer" is not
confined to those on the platform. It is seen in the pew
also. Many of us regularly use the prayer time for things other
than prayer. We gather things together, straighten our clothing,
look around at others, correct our children, etc. Not only does
this mean we are not praying, it often distracts others so they do not
pray.
Public prayer is important in the eyes of
God. It should be important in our eyes also. Let's do more
than bow our heads. Let's really pray.
This article is a
gift to the body of Christ. Use it any way that will help people
and honor Him.