mgpcpastor's blog

David Burke has opportunity to attend a variety of Churches.
He offers two observations about worship: a lessening of time spent in prayer; and that prayers, when offered, focus on requests.
Some may counter that corporate prayer is effectively ‘outsourced’ to small groups, but as helpful as that form is, it is supplemental to congregational prayer during worship.
His words are helpful and constructive. They’re also encouraging to me as I consider our pattern of worship at mgpc.

From Burke’s post:

It was a great gathering of God’s people. The welcome was warm, events started on time, announcements were efficient, music was superb and the word was well preached. Even the coffee was good!

What’s missing?
I attend many church services in different places and notice that many modern services go light when it comes to prayer.
This ‘going light’ has two dimensions.

First, prayer is somewhat absent.
These simple tests can be applied. How many prayer slots were there? What share of the gathering was taken up with prayer, and what share by other activities? Anecdotal evidence is that services nowadays have fewer and shorter prayers. Meanwhile announcements, music and various sharings have grown in prominence.

Second, prayer is often on a low horizon.
Consider the prayer that taught (Matt 6) and the prayer that Jesus prayed (John 17). Both start on high horizons. Jesus prays on the horizon of God’s glory and teaches his followers to pray on the horizons of God’s name, kingdom and will. These are big horizons.
Read the remainder of The Missing Link In Worship.