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Featured Prepared prayers

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by freeatlast, Jul 1, 2012.

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  1. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    What are your thoughts about prepared prayers whether memorized or written out? Do you feel it is acceptable, proper or unacceptable, improper to write out prayers before hand or have them memorized if we know we are going to be called on to pray or perhaps just have one in our pocket in case we are called on so we can read it?
    Is there any evidence that anyone in scripture gave prepared prayers? As you know the Catholics follow this a lot in their practices such as the rosary.
    What are you thoughts?
     
    #1 freeatlast, Jul 1, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 1, 2012
  2. jbh28

    jbh28 Active Member

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    I think it is very good, especially when one is leading in prayer. I am of course assuming you are speaking about one leading in prayer. It shows that we believe prayer to be important enough to prepare ahead of time for it. We would never get up and preach the word to people without preparing.
     
    #2 jbh28, Jul 1, 2012
  3. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    At times, I'm asked to have prepared prayers.

    I'm not opposed, though not my usual custom.
     
    #3 TCGreek, Jul 1, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 1, 2012
  4. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I have written bullet points that I wanted to remember to get to (especially prayer requests) but I've never written out the prayer to read. I think that is ignoring the leading of the Spirit and just not something I'd do.
     
    #4 annsni, Jul 1, 2012
  5. Sapper Woody

    Sapper Woody Well-Known Member

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    I think it depends on the situation. I've personally never used a pre-written prayer. But I know of a couple of people who were shy in front of people, and had one ready in case of being called upon. I know of other people who were also shy and so prepared one when they were asked to pray beforehand.

    The Holy Spirit knows our hearts. Whether the prayer is prepared or "off the cuff", He will know if we mean what we say. If we are talking to God, and mean it, it will get through. If we are just reciting some words for the sake of the people around us, then that's exactly what it is.
     
    #5 Sapper Woody, Jul 1, 2012
  6. jbh28

    jbh28 Active Member

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    I actually do it more like annsni said with points written out. One thing annsni that I thought of is that the Spirit would be leading you when you prepare you prayer.
     
    #6 jbh28, Jul 1, 2012
  7. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    What's bothersome about praying with a rosary is that the prayers are usually "Hail Mary's". There is no prayer to God there.

    As far as writing out prayers, isn't that what a personal prayer list is? And on Wednesday nights we have a church prayer list given to us.

    To me, the judgment of someone's prayer is the intent and the motivation of it. I know people who are really good and flowery with words and can "off the cuff" give a public (and I suppose a private) prayer that will knock people's socks off.

    But did the Lord hear it at all?
     
    #7 Scarlett O., Jul 1, 2012
  8. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    I was curious of what others thought about this. I guess to each their own in this area as the bible is silent, but I know it is not for me. If I do not know what to pray I can decline and allow another. I would be afraid of taking the time to preconceive a prayer that was flowery and pious for the sake of being heard by others rather then spirit driven. If I do not feel the prayer at the time there is no need to pray it as it will not be in faith and I am sure that is what would happen with a written prayer for me.
     
    #8 freeatlast, Jul 1, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 1, 2012
  9. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Yes but often I find that either just before praying or during the prayer, either I am led to think of something to pray for or else find out a need just before I pray. So I'd rather have a few points to remember on a piece of paper rather than the whole thing written out verbatim. :)
     
    #9 annsni, Jul 1, 2012
  10. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    The Psalms are prepared prayers. It is no less Spirit-led to prepare a prayer than it is to extemporize a prayer. Quite the contrary, I think it more so.
     
    #10 Aaron, Jul 1, 2012
  11. Michael Wrenn

    Michael Wrenn New Member

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    The Lord's Prayer is a written prayer..

    Some of the most beautiful and meaningful prayers I have ever heard of are contained in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer; many non-Anglican churches use parts of the BCP, including some Baptist churches that use a liturgy to some degree.
     
    #11 Michael Wrenn, Jul 1, 2012
  12. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    Thank you for your opinion.
     
    #12 freeatlast, Jul 1, 2012
  13. Zenas

    Zenas Active Member

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    On a few rare occasions I have made an outline for a prayer to be offered at church. Usually it's off the cuff. However, I see nothing wrong with a prayer written out beforehand, or even prepared by another. The Bible is largely silent on the matter but Acts 2:42 suggests the people may have been using prepared prayers. In all of the more literal translations, except the NASB, the reference is not to "prayer" but rather to "the prayers".
     
    #13 Zenas, Jul 1, 2012
  14. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    Just wanted you to know....I agree with you. :eek: .... :laugh:

    Also, I have a book of Puritan prayers called Valley of Vision and they are wonderful.
     
    #14 Amy.G, Jul 1, 2012
  15. Michael Wrenn

    Michael Wrenn New Member

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    I always wondered why some object to written or prepared prayers when the prime example of that is in the Bible -- the Lord's Prayer.

    Where could I find Valley of Vision?

    I have read some ancient Celtic prayers, and they are awe-inspiring.
     
    #15 Michael Wrenn, Jul 1, 2012
  16. Michael Wrenn

    Michael Wrenn New Member

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    Just had to share this Celtic prayer -- beautiful!

    Dear Lord,
    Give me a few friends
    who will love me for what I am,
    and keep ever burning
    before my vagrant steps
    the kindly light of hope...
    And though I come not within sight
    of the castle of my dreams,
    teach me to be thankful for life,
    and for time's olden memories
    that are good and sweet.
    And may the evening's twilight
    find me gentle still.
     
    #16 Michael Wrenn, Jul 2, 2012
  17. Arbo

    Arbo Active Member
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    Nothing wrong with prepared prayers as long as they're sincere and not vain repetitions.
     
    #17 Arbo, Jul 2, 2012
  18. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    #18 Amy.G, Jul 2, 2012
  19. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Would it be OK to read aloud the dedication prayer of Solomon for the temple, or the prayers of paul recorded in sacred texts?
     
    #19 Yeshua1, Jul 2, 2012
  20. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    One of the church members came to the new pastor to give him a heads-up.

    "Preacher, I'll do just about anything for the church that you want me to do, except one thing. Please don't call on me to pray in public. The thought terrifies me."

    The pastor agreed, but stewed about it. Finally he came up with an idea, and went to Brother John.

    "Brother John, I have this idea. We need to try to beat this fear of yours. I've written out this brief prayer for you. Stick it in your hat-band. Next Sunday, I'll call on you, and when all heads are bowed, you pull this little prayer sheet out of your hat-band and read it. Nobody will know the difference."

    "Okay, pastor, I'll give it a shot."

    Sunday morning comes, the choir files in, the congregation sings The Doxology, the pastor steps to the pulpit and says, "Brother John, will you lead us in prayer?"

    Heads bow, eyes close, and Brother John says, "Dear Heavenly Father......"

    Silence.

    "This ain't my hat!!!!"
     
    #20 Tom Butler, Jul 2, 2012
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