Worship Lecture Part 2 Prayer and Praise Prof. Jintae Kim, PhD Alliance Theological Seminary Nyack, NY Website:

Biblical Precedents of Prayer The Old Testament Psalms used as vehicle for public worship Solomon’s prayer Jehoshaphat’s prayer Nehemiah’s prayer…. The New Testament Jesus’ prayer Apostles’ prayer: Peter, John in the Book of Acts Prayer words: Abba, Maranatha, Amen, Hosanna, Hallelujah

Corporate vs. Private Prayer Private One and one conversation with God Public Leading the congregation and their prayer. Your personal concern can be included only if it is related to corporate concern. A good public prayer helps people focus on God, not to draw attention to the praying person.

Free vs. Liturgical Prayer Liturgical Fixed form (ex. Common Book of prayer) It saves people from winds and moods of the praying person. Free Praying person takes initiative. Spontaneous, more open to the Holy Spirit. Problem: It could fall into patterns and run the risk of sermonizing

3 ’ rd Option: Prepared Prayer Prayer thought out carefully and in advance. Written out and memorized or not memorized.

Guidelines for the Language of Public Prayer 1. Inclusive Language: We, not I; Various ethnic group, gender, age…. 2. Focus on God only: Neither you nor congregation. 3. Meaning to all: Know your audience (No theological cliché); Use Scriptural language; contemporary; concrete idea, relevant to the age group 4. Dignified and proper way 5. Inviting people to prayer: “Let us pray”

Guiding Principles for Preparing Public Prayer 1. Pray in private. 2. Consider the needs of your people and include them. 3. Study prayers in the Bible and other prayers such as the Common Book of Prayer, and fill your mind with them. 4. Make Outlines. 5. Memorize portions of prayer. 6. Write out prayer.

Guidelines for Execution of Public Prayer 1. Specific purpose: Invocation, benediction, confession, praise, consecration…. 2. Good style: Simple, clear, direct, pleasing to the ears…. 3. Consistency in language. 4. Delivery: Clear, direct, articulate, avoid a ministerial tone. 5. Length: Short (5 min. max.) 6. Use of laity: Let them know in advance and guide them how to prepare and execute it.

Kinds of Prayer by Purpose 1. Invocation. 2. Pastoral prayer: General prayer include adoration, thanksgiving, confession, petition, and intercession. 3. Prayer for illumination. 4. Offertory prayer. 5. Prayer following the sermon. 6. Benediction 7. The Lord’s prayer. 8. Amen.

3 Dictionary Meanings of Praise (Webster) 1. Set a price on. 2. Command worth of … and express for that worth. 3. Glorify in song.

Praise and worship 1. Praise is sound directed to God and participation in glorifying God. 2. Praise is my testimony and expression for what God has done. 3. Praise is life of breath that must come from intimate relationship with God.

Content of Praise Praise God for what he is. (1) His attributes. (2) His transcendence. (3) We must center our praise in His name. For what he has done, is doing, and will do (God in action): Creation; Providence; Speaking word; Salvation; Answer to our prayer.

4 Forms of Praise (Jennings) 1. Adoration: we join in God’s energy and vitality which flows from abundance. 2. Thanksgiving 3. Rejoicing 4. Offering: Verbal and physical