After a few words of explanation I invited suggestions from the congregation for prayer. They included prayers for young people looking for full-time work, those dealing with drought in the Sahel region of Africa, victims of strife in Syria, those in long-term care facilities, the lonely and sick. In other words, we heard the sort of thoughtful and compassionate concerns we might anticipate from St. Paul's folk.
I simply incorporated these suggestions in my prayer, and I was glad that I chose to do so. After more than thirty years in ministry I should be able to approach God in prayer with some spontaneity.
Should this happen more often? Are their other ways we can make worship the work of the people?
8 comments:
I really thought that was interestng, and also found it brave that so many people spoke up. The young fella at the back who mentioned his parents really has my respect for opening up so publically about what's got to be a hard time for he and his family.
Clearly, we're all comfortable with one another!
As a member of the worship/music committee, I couldn't help but observe that this was the oral version of the Thanksgiving "Prayers of the People" written format (where folks write down their requests on papers which are collected and colated as a guide for David to spontaneously pray.) Yesterday's version was really spontaneous! And effective - it drew the congregation into a more intimate space, thanks to David's skilled leadership.
Should we do this more often? Yes. It works for newcomers and oldtimers. Well done.
Sunday night at Hi-C Youth Group I asked if someone was willing to lead a "spoken" grace, rather than the boisterous, musical one (they love)and a young fellow graciously offered and graciously and humbly led us in a most heartfelt moment of spontaneous prayer. It was a God moment, for me, for sure.
Although I wasn't upstairs in the service on Sunday, I heard tell of it at the lunch table and I always think it is good to hear and realize that there is no right way, perfect flow and word combinations needed, to talk to God.
I recall one well-churched, young fellow comment that he hadn't realized it was okay to pause, and search for words until he heard a minister do it during an informal prayer. He was less afraid to try it himself, aloud then.
Agreed and agreed. I appreciated that folk were willing to speak up with their prayer requests. I stopped by to see Marc later in the day to have a chat.
After worship I thought the same thing Janet. I was just on the high wire without a net on this one. But we are a community of faith and prayer can be responsive to the moment if we let it.
In my old church that was one thing we worked at. We thought it would make prayer more real for everyone. It worked, we did it every Sunday for years, it became a favourite part of the service. We had to move the time of Prayers of the People to before the children went out for Sunday school because they wanted to take part. It made everyone a part of the church family. Mind you it was a much, much, much smaller church then St.Paul's.
I do like the prayer format you used, but it was the skill used that was particularly impressive.
Not just anyone can take what had to be 10-12 points thrown out orally, and then turn them into an articulate, well-worded prayer with appropriate expression, without taking notes, or time to formulate one's thoughts. To me that goes well beyond being comfortable speaking to God, but includes considerable skill with short term memory, improvisation
and effective speaking skills.
Many people are comfortable praying out loud, but I would venture a guess that most would at least need to take notes to remember all those subjects. I was telling my wife about it after wards. She jokingly suggested that maybe Ruth was taking notes for you, while people were calling out their concerns, and then holding up cue cards for you, while we all had our eyes closed! LOL!
As a member of the group of lay people that regularly does POTP, I felt like a student watching the Sensei in action. Well done, David!
Thanks for these additional comments. It's great to hear about our young people Laura. Unfortunately we professionalized and formalized prayer over time, to the point that folk are often terrified of the prospect of praying.
It's great to hear of smaller congregations drawing on the advantages of their size, including intimacy. Good reminder Laurie.
Every once in a while I surprise myself that the grey matter still works Mark. The grey hair takes care of itself! Thanks.
I am speaking on behalf of Ken since I was at Run for the Cure. He was also impressed with David's skills and was touched by the prayers of the people. We have heard people speak out at a smaller church but it was different having David reflect on all the prayers. Different in a very good way. Please do it again one Sunday when I am there!!
Brenda
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