Public Prayer
A Catechism on Reformed Worship, Pt. 8
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. As the Pastor or Ruling Elder prays, God is glorified, and His people publicly acknowledge His greatness and grace. It also edifies the church, reminding members of shared needs and God's promises.
So, elders, put prayer back into your services. Without public prayer throughout the worship service, the congregation is robbed of the opportunity to learn and participate in God's people's prayers.
Jason Helopoulos summarizes it best,
The American church, at least in my experience, tends to be lackluster in prayer. This is especially evident in corporate worship services. It can be hard to find an evangelical church service that even contains one three-minute prayer.
Maybe it’s our independent American spirit, or maybe it’s a lukewarm faith. Regardless, many churches need to repent of prayerlessness, especially in corporate worship.
Public Prayer
Q 31. What is Public Prayer? A: Public Prayer is the offering up of praise, adoration, thanks, and petitions on behalf of the congregation gathered, the wider church both locally, nationally and globally, the society in which we live, and the rest of the world, in the name of Christ to our heavenly Father, through the Holy Spirit. (Num. 21:7, 1 Sam. 7:5, Neh. 4:9, Ps. 65:2, Ps. 118:25, Ps. 122:6, Matt. 6:9-13, Col. 4:2-3, Phil. 4:4-7, Eph. 2:18, Rom. 8:26-27, 1 Jn. 5:14,
Q 32: Why is there to be public prayer? A: Throughout the Scripture, God’s people are commanded to pray to Him for the exaltation of God’s name, the humbling of our hearts, and the building up of faith and confidence in our Lord who hears us when we pray to Him through the merits of Christ. (Matt. 6:9, Is. 29:23, Jn. 5:22-23, 2 Chron. 7:14, Phil. 4:4-7)