At our last meeting of the congregation’s elders, we discussed prayers of the people as a component of worship. Those who prayed our prayers were concerned their language was becoming repetitive. Were there resources to offer fresh phrases and thoughts? The simple answer of course, is ‘yes!’.

  What began as a question concerning form, had me reflect a bit deeper… how important is prayer to us in our worship?

I remember many a worshipper turning the pages of their hymn book to the next hymn to be sung whilst prayer was being offered… of course now not necessary!

   As the one responsible for the service, I try to include three forms of prayer: firstly, adoration and praise, usually within the opening prayer, though a component of thanksgiving is usually a part of the prayer of dedication of ourselves and our offerings; then there is prayer as confession, sometimes simply the profound line in the Lord’s Prayer,  forgive us… as we forgive… Often a more elaborate prayerful reflection following either the scripture readings, or the contemporary word.

   Then we have the Intercessory Prayers. In these we pray for the world, the church and ourselves. Each of us is invited to request prayer by writing that request in the prayer book in the foyer.

   Actually, there is a fourth, a prayer we often overlook: The Blessing following the Sending Out. The sending out (sometimes called Dismissal) challenges us to go and serve, it may be in the form of a prayer, but our living is its focus!

The Blessing reminds us we can only live the life God intends for us and do the work Christ calls us to, with the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit!                                                                 Louis van Laar