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Pastoral Ministry
prayers may be filled with the power of heaven.—
The Review and
Herald, January 14, 1902
.
Public prayers should be spoken slowly, distinctly, and loudly
enough so all may hear and unite in saying Amen—When in the
congregation you offer prayer, remember that you are addressing God,
and that He desires you to speak so that all who are present can hear
and can blend their supplications with yours. A prayer uttered so
hurriedly that the words are jumbled together, is no honor to God and
does the hearers no good. Let ministers and all who offer public prayer
[181]
learn to pray in such a way that God will be glorified and the hearers
will be blessed. Let them speak slowly and distinctly, and in tones
loud enough to be heard by all, so that the people may unite in saying
Amen.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:383
.
Simple language should be used in public prayer—High-flown
language is inappropriate in prayer, whether the prayer be offered in
the pulpit, in the family circle, or in secret. Especially should one
use simple language when offering public prayer, that others may
understand what he says, and unite with his petition.—
The Signs of
the Times, November 18, 1903
.
We should customarily bow on our knees when praying—Both
in public and in private worship, it is our duty to bow upon our knees
[
There are instances where Ellen White stood at the desk while of-
fering prayers of consecration during church services. See
Selected
Messages 3:266-270
.
] before God when we offer our petitions to Him.
Jesus, our example, “kneeled down, and prayed.” And of His disciples
it is recorded that they, too, “kneeled down, and prayed.” Stephen
“kneeled.” Paul declared: “I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ.” In confessing before God the sins of Israel, Ezra knelt.
Daniel “kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and
gave thanks before his God.” And the invitation of the psalmist is: “O
come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our
Maker.”—
The Review and Herald, November 30, 1905
.
Offering Appeal
An offering appeal should include both the practical need and
the spiritual motivation for giving—I appeal to the congregation
that regularly assemble at our Tabernacle: Will you not bring in your