BY WHAT AUTHORITY DO WE PRAY?

Most people understand that Jesus greatly encouraged His followers to pray by his commands and examples (Mt. 6:5-15). In this article we wish to consider the New Testament teaching with regard to our collective prayer. Is prayer authorized within the context of our worship? How is it to be conducted?

Prayer was an integral part of the activities of the Lord’s church shortly after it was established by the obedience to the truth, which was preached on the day of Pentecost. This is recorded in the second chapter of the book of Acts.

Acts 2:41-42 reads: “They then that received his word were baptized; and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Clearly prayer was a part of their collective activities.

An example prayer, given in Acts 4: 23f, was motivated by gratitude for God’s help in the release of the apostles from the custody of the Jews. It contains praise to God, a quotation of scripture, and a request for God’s assistance in speaking the truth with boldness.

The fourteenth chapter of 1st Corinthians is dedicated to instructions with regard to our conduct within the assembly. Prayer was an integral part of their services as indicated by verse 15: “I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.”

This verse also gives us instruction as to the conduct of prayer, which is authorized. It must be understandable ... “Else if thou bless with the spirit, how shall the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest?” (1 Cor. 14:15).

It must be under control “for God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (1 Cor. 14:33).

Finally, it must be done decently and in order, for the apostle commanded “all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14: 40).

It is clear that we not only have the authority to conduct prayer in our assemblies, but we are given considerable guidance as to the way in which it is to be conducted.