2 Cents

The other day one of my professors from seminary posted this picture on the right. I immediately thought of prayers in our church services.

If you are called upon to lead others in prayer - whether during a church service, small group Bible study, Sunday school class, or whatever - don't be that guy or girl that preaches a small sermon disguised as a prayer.

Many of us have done this. I must say I have on numerous occasions. But when we do it makes prayer more about us than about God.

Prayer is a time for calling out to God and asking for his blessing. A time for adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. Not a time for showing everyone how much theology you know or teaching everyone what you've been learning in your Bible study. And it's certainly not a time for spouting off about your pet issue.

In Matt. 6:5 Jesus tells us not to be like those who pray so that others will see and hear and be impressed. Preaching mini-sermons during public prayers is Pharisee religion.

So when you pray... pray. Don't preach. Leave that to the preacher.