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.